My Journey

My name is Nancy and I have been working for AFG for about a year. Before this I was an AFG Service User.  My story of how I became this well and able to take on the responsibility of a job has taken a long time. 

My first real problems started just after the birth of my son and I was taken to the mental health wards of Leighton Hospital, Crewe for six months. I was taken back to hospital on and off for a few years. The longest stay in Leighton lasted 5 years, during this time my doctor asked me for permission to go on to a drug called Clozaril. 

My parents and I were very unsure as the drug can be dangerous if not taken properly and part of my illness was that I lost track of time and might not remember to take this drug, but we agreed to try. 

So after ten years of illness, suddenly I had a drug that worked so well for me that my parents described it as I "had come back into myself", when they looked at me the "lights were back on". 

After being settled on the drug I was given a place at Weaver Lodge, an Independent Hospital run by AFG in Winsford, Cheshire.  I was monitored for 2 years and once it was agreed I could live independently, I was offered a flat in The Limes in Middlewich.  This is an AFG supervised group of flats with staff available at all times. 

I spent seven years at The Limes, eventually becoming totally independent and being happy and confident to move to my own home.

Dane Plus Housing is a local housing group and it was them that offered me a joint ownership for the house that I am now in.  The joint ownership is a scheme that allows people to get a mortgage for 72% of the property and Dane Plus then rents 28% back to you via your housing benefits. 

I must admit when this was offered to me it sounded too good to be true but I have now been living happily in my property for 2 ½ years. 

The journey to get where I am now has been long and hard, but I have now got my own property and a job.  I can only work and earn £20 per week but I enjoy doing all that I do. 

I do hope that anyone with extreme mental health issues can read this and see that when things are so bad and you’re in such a bad place that there is so much hope.  You will find the right medication and be helped to find a better life. 

Nancy