I have decided it would be a good idea to do some fundraising for a charity very close to my heart… Norfolk and Waveney Mind. I have been thinking about this lately and have listened to other people’s stories about running etc and thought ‘what could I do?’. I didn’t too much like the sound of running or cycling, and joked ‘I think I’d rather fall out of a plane’. And then, as if by magic, I see a post by Norfolk and Waveney Mind asking for people to raise money by joining their annual skydive event. It seemed like fate, so I signed up. I’ll definitely regret this as we get nearer the time! 

I talked it through with my daughter to seek her approval, which wasn’t forthcoming. It was a resounding no. But after sitting down and looking at the website she seemed to get excited too and egged me on to do it, so here I am.

Many of you may know of my journey with Norfolk and Waveney Mind… but here’s a little snapshot for those who don’t.

I’ve struggled with my mental health since my teenage years, always feeling something was different about the way my mind worked. I’d seen various therapists, doctors, psychiatrists and more over the years, and certain aspects became easier for me, but I still struggled. That’s where Norfolk and Waveney Mind came in. A nice lady at the Wellbeing service really listened to me and suggested that there may be something out there that would help me… a 12 month recovery programme for individuals with a diagnosis or traits of a personality disorder. Now whilst the term ‘personality disorder’ can be controversial, the symptoms and traits are most definitely real. I was lucky enough to be accepted on to this programme, it lasted longer than 12 months (thanks Covid) but I endured, along with my group mates with whom I had made good, meaningful connections.

I completed the programme and along with many others fortunate to do so, can say that it changed my life for the better. I’ve learned a lot of skills including acceptance, patience, resilience and intuition that have really helped me on my recovery journey. I was then lucky enough after ‘graduating’ to be taken on as a volunteer for the next year’s groups. I really embraced this new challenge and really found my own and felt that I had found a new self-confidence and purpose in my life. Even better, about a month ago, I was hired in the role of Facilitator/Support Worker within the Waves Recovery Support Group. So I’ve gone full circle from participant receiving the content, to being employed and helping to deliver the content, as part of a great team.

Norfolk and Waveney Mind have been so important to me, filling in a big gap in over-stretched and under-funded services. They’re often there for people when they believe nobody else is. They do great work alongside many organisations and cater for a wide range of mental health difficulties. I’m proud to say I work for them, and I really believe in their ethos and what they do, so please help me raise some much needed funds for this amazing charity which is forever expanding to meet ever-rising demands.