"Excellent care, support and encouragement"

I first went for a visit to Beacon Lodge in January when after 5 months on a mental health ward after suffering a major breakdown I was told I needed to move on to the next stage of my recovery. So a visit to beacon lodge was arranged.

I was really apprehensive and still in a bad place very agitated with no confidence, low self esteem, self loathing attitude, negative thoughts, still occasional suicidal thoughts and self harming.

I went on the visit with my husband and I was extremely nervous and apprehensive.

We rang the door bell and this pretty young girl approached us with the most beautiful warm beaming Smile. Her name was Hannah.

Nothing was too much trouble for her.

She was extremely respectful of how nervous I was, very reassuring and really patient. She showed us around Beacon lodge and explained what it was all about, she showed us pictures of all the staff and explained all their roles.

I was also told I would be allocated my own personal key worker and when they weren't around any member of staff would support me with anything, anytime of day or night and that attention would be immediate.

I was informed of the daily group therapy and support sessions and these would be on subjects like building self confidence and self esteem, managing money, looking for work and getting back into work, relaxation therapy, these were just a few.

I went on this visit full of negative thoughts and what could this place do for me attitude but I came away 2 hrs later with positive thoughts and eager to start the next phase of my recovery.

This was all thanks to this lovely young lady, Hannah.

I was finally offered a place there a few weeks later and the move went well although I was quite emotional but when I arrived at Beacon lodge the staff were lovely, they went out of their way to make me feel welcome, safe and secure.

They even found me a room on the ground floor to suit my mobility needs.

They were very considerate.

I was really nervous about the change of place and routine but the next day I was introduced to my own key worker and to my delight it was the lovely young woman who had showed us around on our visit, Hannah.

The first 2 weeks were really hard for me. I couldn't see a light at the end of a dark tunnel.

I was depressed, still self harming through detatchment and would constantly put myself down.

I had no self confidence at all but with the constant support from not only Hannah who tirelessly worked with me on techniques to build my confidence, self esteem, self worth, positive outlook on life etc but other keyworkers too I started to improve.

My outlook became brighter, from week 3 of my stay the self harming stopped completely, I started to bother with myself again, I did my hair and make up and for the first time in nearly a year I looked In the mirror and recognise who I was and what I wanted for the future and that was to be well enough to go back home to my wonderful family.

For this I will always be so grateful and forever in the debt of the wonderful staff at beacon lodge and the amazing work they did with me and the other guests there.

Thank you so much, you gave me back my life.

Not only am I now home and doing well but I enrolled in college too and I love it, I am also going to become a volunteer within the NHS, this was all suggested to me and I was encouraged to follow this up from the staff during my stay.

We need more places like beacon lodge and the turning point staff.

Thank you soo much again.