"Rosewood has been my saviour"

I first attended Rosewood Involvement Centre in March 2014. Its been paramount in my health and wellbeing alongside all my other coping strategies following the breakup of my marriage in June of last year.

For the first time in my life I have taken back control of illness. My saving graces being exercise, music, dance, relaxation, talking talking to friends, saying no to people for the first time ever, being kind to myself and asking for help and last but not least -listening to my body.

Unlike any other time I have driven the illness rather than it controlling and engulfing me. I came to Rosewood knowing it was a safe place and for me the next step in my recovery journey. I must say that having worked as a professional for 20 years I never managed to remain in work each time I suffered relapse. Instead my skills in the workplace became defunct each time I was illness. This time however I have used and increasingly continued to revisit all my professional skills which have all been transferable to Rosewood. I feel human again. Mental health doesn't discriminate - we are all vulnerable to it. Rosewood has been my saviour. And I have learned to manage my illness much better. At Rosewood to mention just a few things iv achieved are: -

- Attending conferences and Recovery Forums.

-Organised buffets

-Done training and public speaking.

-Practised good health and safety.

-Been involved in music, gardening, poetry and dance.

-Listening to talks on safeguarding, equality and diversity, food hygiene.

Instead of relapse I have hope, health, happiness, healing, opportunities, confidence, strength, vitality, excitement, friendships and most importantly, lived experience which I hope others will gain strength from, and now I want to give something back as I couldn't have done it on my own. At last I'm proud and I hope others will be too. Thank you Rosewood and family there. x