Tag Archives: uk

Climbing out of the pit of despair

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How do you take ten years of struggling with the seemingly relentless despair of PTSD and Depressive Disorder and turn your experience into something positive?

For Australian veteran and successful businessman Trace Dann (in the guise of his alter ego, Captain Krankypants), the answer lies in sharing his story with others suffering the same conditions.

In what he describes as one of the most personal and self-confronting websites he’s ever built, Trace tells the tale of his journey from a life of inner turmoil, stress, unhappiness, anger and distrust to a new life of self-awareness, acceptance, trust and, hopefully, happiness.

He’ll be in the studio with June this weekend to explain how he’s taking that tale on the road in a series of presentations, including one at Newark‘s Carriages Café next week, in a bid to help fellow sufferers and their families.

“My aim is to help reduce the number of depression-related suicides,” he says. “Above all, I want to reassure others that they’re not alone in this and that, with the right professional support, they can find the way to climb out of the pit of despair and back onto solid ground.”

Tune in or listen online between 10am and 11am on Sunday to hear Trace talking about his own journey and his plans to return to the UK next spring, when he’ll be offering more audiences his unique take on this serious and extremely topical subject.

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Captain Krankypants comes to Carriages

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On Tuesday 18 December Australian returning veteran and successful businessman Trace Dann, known to audiences worldwide as the legendary Captain Krankypants, will be entertaining guests at Newark’s Carriages Café with his highly energetic presentation on how to enjoy life despite suffering from Depressive Disorder and PTSD.

With so many people today suffering from these conditions, Captain Krankypants will be sharing the story of his own journey, from a life of inner turmoil, stress, unhappiness, displeasure, annoyance, anger and distrust to a new life of self-awareness, acceptance, trust and hopefully happiness.

“After more than 30 years in the work force and 19 years in the military, including multiple tours to battle zones, Trace has a wealth of experiences that combine to provide a unique outlook on life,” said Wendy Baird, owner of Carriages.

“We’re delighted to welcome him to Newark for what promises to be a very special evening. His personal take on what is obviously a very serious topic is guaranteed to provoke laughter and tears in equal measure and give hope to those who have suffered or are suffering from depression themselves.”

Tickets for the show, which starts at 7.30pm, are available now from Carriages Café and are priced £10 each, including a welcome drink on arrival. For more details and reservations, visit Carriages at Platform 1, Newark Castle Station or call 01636 676129.

A shedload of opportunities

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One for the guys out there next weekend, when June and Rachel will be talking about men and sheds – or, to be more precise, about men IN sheds…

For many chaps (Rachel’s husband Dean included!), a shed at the bottom of the garden is a favourite place to escape to for a bit of peace and quiet. But did you know that more than 11,000 men across the UK head to a shed for precisely the opposite reason?

Like John Nelson and Dez Williams, who’ll be joining the Girls Around Town on Sunday, they’re all Men in Sheds, a nationwide group supported by the UK Men’s Sheds Organisation, which was founded in 2013 to help raise awareness of the social and health benefits of Men’s Sheds in reducing isolation and loneliness and in empowering local communities.

Over the last five years, the number of sheds up and running has grown from around 30 to more than 460, with another 133 currently in development. And for those 11,000-plus Shedders, they’re places where they can share experiences, knowledge and skills while making friends for life with others who share interests and a common purpose.

It gives me a reason to get up in the morning… I feel a sense of worth and love the way all of the men work together

Tune in or listen online between 10am and 12 noon to hear John and Dez explain why they joined the Collingham Shed, what they and their fellow members get up to there and, above all, the difference being Shedders has made to their lives.

And, if you’re a man without a shed, to find out how to join them or track down a Shed near you…