anyone else outside of fulltime education *advice*

[Buttons.]

Ok, so basically bit of background information, I'm 15, have a school phobia amongst other issues, and I don't attend school, I attend a vulnerable pupil unit for two hours a week. However to be frank I am an intelligant person and aside from those two hours (which can't be increased) have absolutely nothing to do, education or otherwise, during the weekdays. And it is driving me insane, I boredom eat which for me involves purging and all sorts of ED unpleasantness etc.

Basically I wondered if anyone had any ideas of how I could fill my days, or particularly if anyone is in the same/similar situation and has found any programmes/other education options (NOT normal school) helpful please let me know. thanks, hope this makes sense,
katy
xxx

[MrsNutkin]

Hey Katy,

When I was in year 11 around the mock tests I was in a really bad way mental health wise. My depression was mainly caused by bullying and so I left school.

I was fortunate in that my Godmother, one of my Mum's friends' worked at my school as a PE teacher part time and she was able to teach me a day a week at home.

It wasn't really teaching just preparing for exams but at the beginning when there was still things to learn the teachers who used to teach me sent me their lesson plans and I got on with it.

My case is also probably different in that because I have a physical condition as well I was a Special Needs statement so the Special Needs Co - Ordinator arranged all this for me after talking with my keyworker.

Could you talk to you keyworker or anyone similar about this?

It's a difficult situation to be in. You need to get an education it's sooo important but you know that and I imagine you miss having something to get your teeth stuck into huh?

The other part of what worried people around me was Social interation. I was never particularly social..I'm still not actually
It's unhealthy not to socialise and being on your own all day long can actually make you feel worse. I'm assuming your ok on that front though...

If you need any further information I'm a PM away

All the best Katy,
Sarah x

[Stellata]

Have you thought of distance learning courses?

[Buttons.]

^ I have and that is an option definatly its just I hate sitting in the house all the time with my own company....though I know its my own silly fault for being scared of school (school for petesake school!)

[Stellata]

You probably have a very good reason to be afraid of school. ((hugs you gently)) Rightly I should have developed school phobia, but it came out in other ways.
Have you thought about being befriended? Mind also do group befriending.

[Zedebee]

Come and keep me company

It's not your fault that you have the phobia; it can't be helped. Have you thought of finding a part-time job during the week? Or maybe try some sort of volunteer work?

[Buttons.]

I don't really know what 'being befriended' is sorry?

And the EOTAS sounds great but I don't know what they are either, though I dropped out in year 10 too :)

[yoursmiledoesntfoolme]

when i didnt go to school (i was off for a few months) i bought home study guides and taught myself to speak Latin, i also developd upon my cooking skills, developed an interest in photography, taught myself to play guitar and wrote a lot
i doubt that helped sorry

[xxhappydaysxx]

I used to school refuse on and off in years 8 and 9, but I didn't miss so much of school that I needed other forms of education, though my mum did start looking into it.

My friend however school refused at the same time as me, and is now taking GCSE's a couple of years late through lessons on the internet. Im not 100% sure what it consists of, but I think she has to log on, and then listen to lessons online.. il ask more about it when i talk to her if you think it sounds any good.
xxx

[xxhappydaysxx]

oh sorry just realised that wont be any use as you said you dont like being in the house ... sorry missed that bit first time round x

[deadstar]

Hey hun

Could you do some volunteering at an animal rescue, old peoples home or something like that? They always need volunteers and it might be a good way to keep yourself busy andout of the house. Also, when i was doing this it made me feel really good about myself because i was helping other people. This sort of thing could also help in other ways because they look really good on CV's and job applications :P

Do you have a MIND charity near you? I stellata has mentioned this and you can just turn up at your local one for a few hours or whatever and you can do whatever you like there and it could be a change of scenery from being at home. if you go to http://www.mind.org.uk/ and then go onto mind in your area you can find out which one is closest to you and ive them a call if you wanted. I had a quick look and there are a few around cheshire.

Another idea for getting out of the house could be going to your local library researching something that you are actually interested in and then possibly do some sort of project on it? Most librarys have free computer access, printing all that jazz.

Good luck sweetie, i hope things start to get better for you
*hugs* xxx

[Buttons.]

thankyou so much for all you're replies, I'm ringing up the local Mind charity this week and I'm going to look and see if I can increase my volunteering hours.