Alison’s story – “I’m not that person that didn’t want to be here anymore.”

Alison, a single mum of three, had always worked hard, but years of buried mental health struggles finally took their toll.

“Everything just went. Mind, body, spirit, soul. My body gave up on me and it made me stop. I didn’t want to be here anymore.”

Forced to give up work, she found herself in a dark place, contemplating suicide as she struggled to find a reason to carry on. But hope arrived through a doctor’s referral to the social prescribing team, who suggested the H.O.P.E course as a starting point for recovery.

“It does what it says on the tin, it gave me hope.”

Through the course, she learned to understand her mental health, recognising why she isolated herself and felt scared of everything. It taught her to take baby steps towards reintegrating into society, accepting her limitations, and finding strength in small achievements. She no longer feels like the person who didn’t want to be here anymore.

“I always say that BeWell saved my life really. Because if it wasn’t for going with Step One to the H.O.P.E course and then coming here [wellbeing craft group], I’d probably still be sat in my flat, hating the world.”

The course led her to the BeWell@StepOne wellbeing craft group in Paignton, where she found a supportive and welcoming community.

“Everybody was lovely, just really welcoming. Right from day one, I just felt that support. I’ve been on other bits and pieces as well, but this is the one I never miss.”

The group has become a significant part of Alison’s life. Despite arriving in tears and feeling miserable some days, the group always manages to share a laugh, talk about their problems, and support each other.

“We all have our down days and sometimes this is the only place I’ll go in a week, but it’s the one place I come because I feel safe.”