Jo's story: “It’s the first time I’ve made a proper breakthrough”

Jo has had bouts of depression all of her adult life.

For many years she was able to manage the condition, but the combination of a relationship breakdown and then losing her job in events management pushed her to breaking point.

A dramatic road accident was the incident that brought her depression “back with a vengeance.”

“I wasn’t good at asking for help and was putting on a brave face for people. I was taking anti-depressants but needed something more.”

Helping Jo rebuild her confidence

When Jo contacted us, things had got so bad that she felt unable to leave the house and was just trying to get through the days until she could go back to bed.

She began receiving weekly visits from Aspirations worker Will.

“It was such a help having someone that was there purely to help me and understood what I was going through.”

He helped Jo sign up for counselling, got her involved with activities in the local area (including an aspiration-run food hygiene course) and got her back into cycling – an old childhood passion.

“Doing all of these things really helped bring my confidence back. I wouldn’t have done any of that if I had been left to my own devices.”

The difference it has made

In just four months, Jo’s situation has been turned round.

She has begun socialising again and is joining new clubs in the area – things that she could never foresee doing half a year ago.

“This is the first time I’ve felt I have made a proper breakthrough. Now I feel like I can cope with whatever life has to throw at me.”

If you are not working and feel as though you are living with a mental health condition or life is getting on top of you, our Aspirations service can provide support. We’ll help you rediscover your confidence, find ways to cope with your mental health & wellbeing, feel less isolated, and get into work, volunteering or education.

Aspirations is a Building Better Opportunities project, funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery, through the Big Lottery Fund.