"Edith Cavell lives on..."

I arrive after many years battling with my demons. The last chance saloon. I am greeted by Gary who makes me feel welcome and comfortable. I instantly feel that there is hope and that if I am to recover then this could be the arena within which I can succeed. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

I say goodbye to my wife and family the sadness balanced against the need to recover and knowing that returning home at this stage is not an option.

The unit is relatively new and the accommodation gives you privacy and dignity. I am told as I am informal there is controlled freedom. Just as well as if I am formal then I had not brought a DJ for Dinner.

I am seen by a psychiatrist Dr Kumar who instantly commands my respect and who clearly knows what he is doing. I suspect he has seen thousands walk through his door and I guess that even before I sit down he knows from my demeanour what is wrong. My medication is instantly changed and I feel further hope that this is the right place to be.

After assessment I am moved to the men’s ward where I am greeted by Martin AKA” TD The Door”. Yet again I am made to feel reassured.

I now see Dr Bala and his team who are taking responsibility for my recovery plan. Yet again a feeling of hope emanates from everyone.

From the ward cleaners, catering staff as well as the medical staff everyone makes you feel welcome, not a patient.

With a care plan in place which is explained to me I can now go for it.

The massed rank of nurses care assistant’s OTs and many others are always available to chat supplementing the more structured sessions.

I see many on the ward whose issues appear worse than mine and there but for the grace of god goes any Joe or Jane walking down the street. Sadly there still is a stigma towards any form of mental illness.

I feel I am in RECOVERY and will I hope never have to darken the unit’s doors again unless I decide to have a career change.

There are so many to thank who work tirelessly including in no particular order……….. Liz,Adele,Herbert,Jane,Leanne,Regi, Xman,Gemma,Jenna,Lee,Ian ,Andy,Cleo,Mark,David,Ernest and Martin to name but a few….

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

From little Acorns...