With over 18 years navigating the mental health system, I’ve lived with Schizoaffective Disorder and faced many challenges, including multiple hospital admissions and being detained under the Mental Health Act. These experiences have shaped who I am today and inspired me to use my journey to help others.
At 18, during my first year at university, I experienced my first psychotic episode, which led to an attempt to take my own life. It was a devastating time. Yet, within a year, my life looked completely different.
During my recovery, the love and support from my family and the NHS mental health services helped me rebuild. Volunteering became my lifeline. I joined the Administration Team at St. Catherine’s Hospice, giving many hours of my time to their work. It gave me purpose and helped me regain my confidence. Volunteering showed me the transformative power of helping others, and this was the first of many times volunteering would save me.
Within 12 months, I returned to university and was awarded the Millennium Volunteer award for Student Volunteer of the Year 2006/07, chosen from thousands of students across campuses. It was surreal to go from rock bottom to standing on stage receiving an award.
This experience taught me how much of a difference helping others can make—not just for them, but for your own mental health. It’s a value I’ve carried into My Space, where we encourage people to #VolunteerToSupportTheirPeers. In our Peer Support Group, members not only receive support but also give their time to help others. As a Tempo Time Credits partner, we celebrate this contribution to our community.
I’m passionate about sharing my story and showing others that, with the right support and purpose, things can turn around…
