Aiming high and achieving my full potential

I first discovered Manor and Castle Development Trust after being extremely unwell with my mental health.

Having struggled with my mental health since my late teens, before being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in my late 20’s.  I continued to have the highs and lows, which got increasingly worse and I reached rock bottom in my mid-30’s.  Luckily at this point I got the NHS care I needed.

Every part of my life though, had already been affected and I was quite broken.  I wanted to do more to help myself.  I wasn’t working or volunteering at the time, and at this point I had such low confidence!   I needed to do something about it.

Through word of mouth I found the STEPs to Excellence programme and when I saw the feedback from people who had already completed it on the MCDT’s Facebook page/website.  I knew I wanted to do this programme to aid in my recovery.

STEPS, I really enjoyed. The facilitators and the vibe surrounding it

“It really helped to boost my self-esteem and self-motivation.”

I remember Diane, Kellyanne and Paula taking the course and how they created an environment that was really positive.

“I went away from every session buzzing!”

The programme has some key tools and techniques and some of these really struck a chord with me.  I was so much more positive about myself and my future after completing STEPS.

I later approached Diane at MCDT to enquire about volunteering.  I signed up as a Health Champion Volunteer and have never looked back

Having volunteered for STEPS, EPPS, at the ECHO craft group, for the Be Cancer Safe Celebration event and the Community Theatre event – there’s so much opportunity for involvement as a volunteer at MCDT

Recently I was lucky enough to gain employment as part of the Aiming High Programme as a Peer Support Worker.  I am very much enjoying being a part of the delivery and development of this programme, using my own experiences to help and support others currently facing their own challenges.