I first heard about Pentreath while I was in hospital recovering from an episode of psychosis but didn’t engage with the service until much later when a doctor recommended I give Pentreath a try. I felt a little apprehensive and sceptical at first but decided to give it a go. I knew roughly the area I wanted to work in but lacked the motivation and self confidence to make steps in the right direction.

Since starting with Pentreath and completing the modules on anxiety management, motivation and the stress workshop, I have started feeling better about myself and because of this my social life improved along with my self confidence. I found the modules invaluable and a particular highlight was learning about giving yourself positive affirmations and challenging negative inner commentaries and replacing them with positive inner commentaries. I still have copies of the paperwork in a folder and look at them often.

My advisor put me at ease from the start and actually listened to what I wanted and was there to support me. Because of this, I have been able to contact a local charity and have been accepted to do voluntary work for them. I’m also hoping to do a relevant OCN course in mental health awareness that will help me in the future.

I already feel much happier in myself and have been given the necessary tools to update my CV which can only help me with my future plans. I would recommend Pentreath to anyone and can’t thank you enough for the work you do in an area of health that’s still very much misunderstood by some.

I was forced to take early retirement on health grounds after 21 years of teaching due to a burnout and what could only be described as a ‘nervous breakdown’. This resulted in anxiety and panic attacks, all brought on by stress and initially, I was agoraphobic.

Pentreath began to work with me when I was on sick leave in 2004 and have continued to support me on and off ever since. Two of the casualties of my burnout were my self-confidence and sense of self-worth. Kerry taught me how to deal with the panic attacks and Jemma fixed me up with an 8 week placement at Newquay Zoo – this is still going on 5 years later!

John Hoskin and Marie Carter continued the good work with Marie fixing me up with a work placement at Pentreath itself, where I have spent a very happy year assisting Cat with research. Cat has been a very easy person to work for, being totally non judgemental. I am sorry to be leaving Pentreath but it is time to move on and use the skills they have instilled in me.

Gradually, with the guidance of Pentreath’s staff, things have come back together and I am now able to begin paid employment, something that would have been unthinkable even two years ago. There have been ups and downs but Pentreath have always been there for me when things unravelled.

Prior to getting in contact with Pentreath, Viv’s MS (multiple sclerosis) had caused her to get to the point where she felt she could no longer leave the house. Her self-esteem and confidence had been eroded due to the symptoms she was displaying. The symptoms would include falling over or wobbling, continence problems and slurred speech. Very often she was accused of being drunk, hence why her mental well being was slowly deteriorating. Her confidence was completely shattered by all this and Viv found life very difficult. She felt it was being taken away from her and that she had lost all friends bar one. It was only her wonderful family that got her through day to day life with the constant love, support and understanding.

Viv was given the opportunity to access Fit 4 Life with Paul Reeve at Pentreath. Viv said this really helped her as she had got to the point where “I couldn’t even get out of the front door. I had stopped answering the door or telephone and even hid in my home to avoid seeing people. I was in such a dark place when Paul first came. I was so depressed I was visiting the cemetery to pick out a plot. It was only the thought of my sons and family that stopped me.” Through Fit 4 Life, Viv went to Splash Leisure Pool to attend the swimming group. Viv was also able to do badminton and it was this that encouraged Viv to keep attending. Her motivation for this was “if I can go out and wear a swimming costume, I can do anything.”  Viv made excellent progress while on the Fit 4 Life project and was naturally referred to the Employment Placement service where she met with Iain Hodgson. Initially, Viv and Iain met at Splash Leisure Centre as it was where Viv felt most comfortable at the time. Further meetings took place in her own home once a rapport had been built between them. From here, Iain and Viv had in depth discussions about her problems and the barriers she felt she faced due to her condition. They decided the first step for progression was to help Viv with her confidence and self-esteem. Together, they worked through the personal development modules offered by Pentreath and Viv felt these really helped.

The next stage in Viv’s journey involved the vocational aspects of the Employment Placement service. They updated Viv’s CV as she hadn’t worked since 1998 and discussed what Viv would like to do in terms of work placements. She had an idea that she would like to work with children but was unsure whether she could due to her MS as during relapses Viv was aware that she could not do a great deal as she found it difficult to even function to look after herself.

As this was the case, Viv and Iain decided that the best road for her to embark on would be training in the first instance so Viv accessed some OCN (Open College Network) courses through the Pentreath Training Department. It was envisaged these courses would increase Viv’s academic abilities and allow her to assess further her capabilities and stamina in relation to her MS. Viv completed five courses and although she found these hard, they definitely had a positive effect on her personal development and subsequently her career. The major thing that kept Viv’s motivation up to keep attending courses, other than her desire to get better, was being involved in a group where everyone was facing their fears and problems. The other factor was the way Mike and Kerry delivered the courses and made her feel worthwhile.

Following the OCN courses at Pentreath, Viv then felt more able to access Voluntary employment. Iain supported Viv to meet with Christine from Volunteer Cornwall to discuss the options available. Christine suggested Viv consider Dreadnought which works with people age 8-19 years who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. After a small discussion, Viv was really excited about the idea and so Iain phoned Dreadnought and spoke to Judy who expressed that she would be more than happy to give Viv a chance. During the time the voluntary placement was being set up, Viv experienced a number of relapses but both Dreadnought and Pentreath were very understanding about this. Viv felt relieved that although she had relapsed, things were still in progress and moving as her CRB check was in process of being sought so things weren’t at a standstill.

Once Viv’s MS was under control again, she felt well enough to attend the induction day with Dreadnought. The induction took place on a Saturday in Pool near Camborne but this wasn't a problem as Iain was able to support her while she was there and then transport her back home. The induction was very beneficial as it was about Child Protection and the children that access Dreadnought.

Fatigue is one of the biggest barriers in MS but despite this, Viv began volunteering for an odd evening a week at Dreadnought in Bodmin. These sessions were held in the evening and Viv had to drive from Kilkhampton to Bodmin, but she was determined to do it, which she did despite the fatigue she experienced. She managed this for a short period. Following this, Iain and Viv made some enquiries as to whether there would be a programme starting nearer to her home and they were informed there was one currently being set up in Launceston. When this had been set up, Viv received a phone call from Dreadnought and was asked if she would volunteer for them in Launceston as she was a valued member of the Dreadnought team and an inspiration to the children. Viv was over the moon with this and it boosted her confidence and self-esteem to another level entirely.

Viv has now been deferred from the Employment Placement service at Pentreath as she feels ready to take part in this placement unsupported. However, Viv is aware that if she requires any help in her future development, she can return to Pentreath. Viv feels she has come a long way since she began engaging with Pentreath and really values the time and effort that has been offered to her by everyone involved. By telling her story, Viv hopes it will inspire other people who feel they have been written off due to neurological or degenerative diseases. She wants them to know they are still valued and that there is always hope for the future.

I am now able to leave the house so I go out a lot more and can now go outside alone. I have the confidence to be able to walk to lessons alone. I can go out shopping with my mum and am able to pay for things myself and talk to the cashier.

I am much more self sufficient. I'm learning cooking and take care of myself better. I am getting my education back on track. I have done my English level 2 and passed. I have also done my numeracy entry level 3 and passed with 100%, soon I will be starting numeracy level 1 and a computer course. I will also be starting an art course with Camborne College which Pentreath also helped get me funding for. I am a lot more confident and no longer have panic attacks. Pentreath has helped me regain my life and they managed to do so much for me in under six months. I am very grateful to Pentreath and all who are affiliated with it.