114 Chapter 4 "...I have a had very nasty, nasty life and yes, if you ask me, then I'd rather not even be here, I wouldn't even wanted to be born you know […] I'm basically an automatic pilot you know, and then I'm glad that I see [my coach], call him, he calls me, and that then again I can sort of, you know, just vent my heart for a bit you know with him […]. And yes then I'm okay again…" – patient 013. It emerged that patients felt they were heard by their coach, who had no obligations other than simply being there for the patient. Patients and coaches emphasized the importance of these open conversations in FNC. One patient argued that he did not appreciate the supportive conversations with the coach, as there were professionals to whom the patient could turn to. Instrumental support Some coaches mentioned providing instrumental support, such as helping to clean up, helping with organizing a vacation, arranging registration on dating sites, and arranging enrollment in a computer course. "…For example, the other day when I came to his room, [I] hadn't been in his room for a while, and then I saw that it was such an incredible mess, even worse than it always is. And then I said to [name patient] like: ‘This is crazy, you have to do something, you have to clean something up here’. And then he said: ‘Okay, we're going to clean up.’ And I thought that was quite something, that he just accepted that from me. And then we grab a broom and garbage bags and then, it's really incredible what you then see." – coach 025. While patients indicated they appreciated this support, one coach considered the risk of patients becoming dependent for help. There were some suggestions that patients, after receiving help from coaches to participate in certain activities, did not continue with these activities for various reasons. Further, one patient expected to receive assistance of the coach with financial problems and communication with formal agencies. It was argued by the patient that the coach did not respond to his requests, leaving the patient in the dark. Companionship support Nearly all participants considered the exploration of and engagement in mutual activities to be an important feature of FNC. Inmany cases, patients and coaches discussed preferred activities with each other. Most coaches and patients engaged in accessible activities such as a meeting at the patients’ house, strolling in the park, cycling, shopping, grabbing something to eat, or having a drink in a cafe.
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