Social circle, relationships and work

Social circle & relationships

It has been shown that when we experience long term pains we can find communicating with others more challenging.  For example, recognising facial expressions is not as accurate in people living with pain.

The ability to understand your own pain, let alone explain it to others is a real challenge too.  

Other factors can be feelings of being judged, feeling guilty, not accepting help and many more issues.  

With so many factors, there is an equally long list of options to consider to help improve your social situation.  

One element is trying to help others understand your situation.  This website contains some helpful posts and suggestions on this topic such as a letter to the people around you who do not have persistent pain so they can see things from your point of view.  

Many people describe feeling unable to ask for help especially when there are no visible signs of their challenges.  You can be in significant pain but nobody can see it which can be a real challenge for the person suffering with it and for those around them to fully appreciate what they are going through. 

Tackling it solo is not to be encouraged.  Spending time with people we like or love is a natural pain reliever.  It also prevents against loneliness which is a real danger to our overall health.  This resource explores asking for and accepting help.  This article is written by someone living with persistent pain about the barriers they come up against and tips to help.  

For many people, an important thing they value and enjoy is time with the key people around them.  Doing things with others has great benefits for helping manage persistent pains.  This is easily said but hard to do.  This resource may help you plan for engaging in social activities and is written by someone living with pain.

One thing to keep in mind is to choose the things that bring you joy.  Just like the orange putty in the video above.  This will be different for everyone but the principles remain the same.  

Work, occupations, and social role.  People living with persistent pain often find it very difficult to stay in, or find work.  Their role in their families can be hugely altered by persistent pains and the financial, mental and physical impact is significant.  Employers who are willing and able to modify your work environment and roles can certainly help here. 

Support into Work or Training

Who can help? Opportunity Sheffield

• Who is it for? Anyone who is a Sheffield resident, aged 16 or over, and is struggling to get into work or who would like training to progress or change careers.

• How can they help? Our employment support triage team refers participants to our Opportunity Sheffield job coaches or specialist employment advisors across the city.

They can provide free and bespoke one-to-one support to help you prepare for the workplace and find a job or help you to progress if you are already in-work.

We can also help participants overcome a range of barriers to work including signposting you to mental and physical health providers.

Our Connect to Work team supports Autistic people and people with learning difficulties, disabilities or who are neurodivergent.

Get started:

• Contact our triage team on 0114 229 6188, email opportunity@sheffield.gov.uk or
• you can fill out a referral form on our website: https://pathways-to-work.campaign.sheffield.gov.uk/

For more detailed information on financial, mental and social support available to you, please see the ‘Wider Health’ section.