I'm new here, so not really sure how to get started, so any help would be greatly appreciated. I've left one particular site because of the sheer hatred there and to be honest I can't stand being there any longer.

@Amelia1 Hi Amelia, welcom in the Mastodon world๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿ˜Š.
I' m also new so, for me was helpfull:
https://mastodon.help/
In for you was also a guide mastodo user but I can't find it at the moment.

Good for me was searching with #and your interest.
Looking in the community and If you find an interesting mastodon user account you can follow... behind interesting user accounts are mostly more interesing accounts toots to follow is worth also. Will send you updates. Welcome๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ‘‹

Mastodon Help - Guide

A thorough introduction to Mastodon

@Amelia1 also if you go to the search glas, you can see the Hashtag... May you find interestin posts there also๐Ÿ‘