"Was treated so well here, the staff are amazing..."

I was admitted to the Stort ward after a few suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts and struggling in and out of addiction ... My mental state was that I didn't want to live anymore.

I couldn't have been more welcomed by the staff at the ward, who work under extreme pressure on fairly low resources ... they are truly wonderful.

They were so kind understanding, and helpful, especially when some of the patients due to their illnesses can be quite challenging.

I had some problems with one patient and when I spoke to the lovely person running the ward at the time took a report and the issue and the patient were dealt with professionally and kindly.

It made me feel very safe there. They also helped me with my care plan, and was such a smart lovely reassuring and encouraging person, I am forever grateful for this.

The structure was really important to me too, and we were fed really well three times a day, and there were snacks and tea/coffee/hot chocolate at other times in the day.

We were also called for meds on a daily structure too.

I was being looked after by a psychiatrist who got me on the right medications, which so helped, and also by occupational therapists too.

It was such a help to my recovery, along with regular meals and people to talk to.

We were also not confined to the ward all day, like some other psychiatric units, and were taken each day to a special building with activities (like table tennis), games, sofas to rest on, tv, and workshops.

The staff ensured everyone was involved if they wanted to be, but also they were not pushy to make you do this.

There was an amazing staff member, who was such a friendly fun person.

In fact all of the staff were awesome, and really cared too, you could tell.

I was there over Christmas and the staff made it so festive and we even had a Christmas lunch and there were carol singers and a band ...

it really made being in hospital not so bad. All of the patients enjoyed the day I think.

Since coming out, a part from a blip, my life has turned around and

I now have a job of my dreams in ethical marketing, a retreat business plan under way and a lovely place to live again, am still on medication which helps, but I cannot understand anyone criticising this ward, I rarely write reviews, but wanted to share my gratitude for the help I was given as the NHS are often criticised.

I hope this review has helped people anxious about going into a mental health ward. I can only speak from a male perspective as the wards are separate, but I did get to speak to some of the female patients during workshops, and they said similar of their experience too :)