Tracie's story: "I finally got the help I needed"

With nothing to distract her, she found herself struggling to cope.

“I became a recluse,” she says. “I wasn’t paying my bills. I wasn’t doing anything I should’ve been doing. My mental state just went downhill.”

Tracie says she used lockdown as an excuse to isolate herself and began drinking heavily as a coping mechanism.

“It was really difficult to trust anyone, so I shut myself off.”

Eventually she reached breaking point. She wanted to get help so she could be there for her daughter, who also struggles with her mental health.

That’s when she reached out to us and was referred to Porchlight worker Paul.

Porchlight offers a range of support for people struggling with their mental health, aims to reach people who are socially isolated. Our workers help people feel less lonely, improve their opportunities, and raise their self-esteem.

Paul sourced Tracie a bike, which encouraged her to get out of the house more. He also helped her get involved in cookery lessons organised by our team and attend our weekly ‘active’ meetups. These are outdoor exercise sessions run as part of our Porchlight Open Door scheme, bringing people together to improve their mental and physical wellbeing.

Gradually – with the right support around her – her self-confidence grew, and she started to turn her life around.

When the time was right, Tracie got a job as a stewardess on a ferry, which she really enjoys. She also does hairdressing in her spare time, has cut down on drinking, and cycles to work for exercise.

She tells us she’s a lot more confident now and is finally putting herself first.

“What Paul’s done has been great. I can’t fault him,” she says.

“I felt like I finally got the help I needed. I felt supported. It showed me I wasn’t alone.”