"Caring and Involvement after husband's bipolar"

Five years ago my husband was diagnosed with Bi Polar. I didn’t know anything about Bi Polar. He was in hospital for eight weeks on Ward B2 in Bassetlaw. It was very difficult to visit at the start as he didn’t want to see me and my life was going downhill at the time.

Eventually he came home but he was a different husband and I had to accept it.

I found out about Rosewood Involvement Centre in Ollerton which I was told would help my husband as part of his recovery.

We visited Rosewood and met Nigel. We had a lovely day and we asked if we could stay for a centre meeting? I felt welcome and comfortable and we joined in. I became an involvement volunteer and it gave me a purpose in life when things were up and down.

I joined Andrea’s carers group and it made me realise I can still have a life.

Isolation was the main feeling I had and sharing those experiences with others helps you to lift your own worries and I feel capable now to help others to feel hope and inspiration.

Rosewood and the carers group mean the world to me. I love every minute and I have a purpose in life. I feel I’m giving something back for the help my husband has had from services. Things will never be the same and I miss his old sense of humour but he does try! You don’t know where to turn when you become a carer so I’m fortunate to have found them to give me my life back