Juliette Llewellyn proudly patrolling the social media cwtch
In an age where the internet provides a multitude of online communities, Juliette Llewellyn has created one of flesh and blood right in the heart of Canton, geared towards discussing the intricacies of social media.
Canton Social Media Surgery, a voluntary drop-in service for those wishing to learn more about social media, is part of a bigger UK movement set up in 2008. When Juliette applied in 2011 to advise at the local Cardiff branch, she found herself agreeing to the role of manager at a new Canton-based surgery.
It was to be a very practical role, including the sourcing of venue and arranging the format of the sessions.
“I think it’s important to educate people on how to use these social media tools,” says Juliette, sitting at a small table amidst the weekend-bustle of Chapter. “It is quite a new medium, and as well as thinking about what they’re saying, people need to learn to integrate it into their life in a way that’s healthy and manageable.”
Dealing with an illness
Juliette was diagnosed with ME/CFS in her early twenties and is now, at 41, in a state of recovery. The illness is still relatively misunderstood, both within the medical profession and among the general public.
She explains that it affects sufferers to varying degrees and recalls the severe effect of the illness at its worst, when in her twenties she found herself bedbound. “I had to break everything down. How was I going to get up to dress myself that day? How was I going to get to my clothes, when I couldn’t get out of bed?”
Juliette recently worked as a London Ambassador during the Olympics, welcoming people into the city. She says this experience “opened up my mind and horizons as to what I can do”. With plans to further this scheme in Cardiff this could offer more opportunities, and possibly the chance to travel.
“I’ve been limited with travel for a lot of my twenties and thirties because of my health, so that’s an area I would like to look into now that I’m able to get around more.”
Canton SMS and Juliette’s recent work as London Ambassador, as well as her monthly project Incandescent (in which a local group gathers to celebrate published works of poetry) all testify to her determination, which she hopes can inspire others in similar situations.
“I hope it can show that eventually things can be possible,” she says in her soft-spoken voice, “however dark it can get, however much you lose hope. I can now do these things with a bit of support, and that’s a big step.”
The community
It’s her desire to connect with people that drives Juliette to undertake so much voluntary work, even if it is sometimes hard to balance the work with the symptoms of ME.
“I did a drama degree, so I’m a people person. To go from that to being very isolated with ME is a complete turnaround, so for me these various things are often to connect with people and be involved with the community.”