Living with mental health needs

Clives story

"It is demanding to get yourself back to good health"

People with a mental illness are often seen as different, when in fact they are ordinary people coping with extraordinary and often severe health conditions. They my be biologically vulnerable to serious conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, which when combined with stressful life events or social isolation can precipitate ill health. However, with good social and psychological support they can enjoy an active and fulfilling life.

Clive Eyre, a resident at one of our houses in Kingston, is just one of over 600 people with mental health needs that we have helped this year. He came to Hestia three years ago, after a period living in a therapeutic community. He had worked as a security officer for 10 years, but losing his job lead to a breakdown in his mental health. Recovery has been a difficult journey. “It is demanding to get yourself back to good health“ says Clive, “the medication had side effects at first, but my body has adjusted to it now.”

His stay at Hestia is helping him to rebuild his self-confidence. He has a passionate interest in history, reading and cinema. He keeps fit by going to the gym twice a week and occasionally likes to go to the pub with his friends. He is planning to study for A-levels in history and business studies soon, so that he can continue to improve his job skills and become more independent.

Clive is also the local service user champion, and is involved in Hestia’s service user involvement group, the Better Lives Forum, and has sat on some of Hestia’s staff recruitment panels.