Neil's story
I am going to be honest with all of you. Over five years ago, before I became ill I worked for the Royal Mail and I was a cynical person and suppose I still am.
On hearing at work that another member of staff was off sick suffering from a 'breakdown' or depression I, along with many of my colleagues, assumed that they were swinging the lead, skiving or just weak.
Then a number of important things happened to me, such as losing my mother to cancer and suffering a lot of uncertainty at work. I didn't recognise it at the time but suddenly it was me who was depressed and feeling suicidal. Before long I was the person being talked about at work!
My GP was very helpful, referring me to a psychiatrist and trying different combinations of drugs to try and get me back on my feet. After numerous attempts at taking my life, weeks in hospital and being medically retired by the Royal Mail I had started to vegetate, sitting in front of the T.V. all day and not getting dressed or going out unless I had to.
This went on for months until I saw a social worker who suggested I might benefit from attending a rehabilitation centre of some kind. I was too de-motivated to be keen, but I went along.
When I started at Limited Editions I immediately felt I had made the right choice. Everybody there has the same goals of getting better and returning to work, all in a safe and secure environment. The staff and other workers were very understanding and considerate of my feelings so I soon felt at ease talking about my problems.
One of the things I have noticed at Limited Editions is how the staff help you to focus on your abilities and build them, this adds to your confidence, helping you to become a stronger person.
Not everything will go right and when something did not go as I had planned it could seem like a disaster, but the support staff put things into perspective and encouraged me to overcome problems.
The variety of products made at Limited Editions means that everybody has at least one skill that can be utilised, even if they had forgotten how to use it. And you are also learning new skills, such as being trained how to use woodwork machinery or use a printing press.
One of the best points is that everyone mucks in on different projects. This means that as well as being able to create a one off light box or mirror, I am also capable of producing greetings cards from screen printing to packaging them.
Workers are encouraged to come up with new design ideas and voice opinions or concerns on the general running of the work scheme.
There are also courses arranged by The Careers Service and help in building a CV, all of which help to build confidence and motivation to get back to full health and eventually work.
For my part, whilst at Limited Editions I was encouraged to do a part time college course in forestry, to back up my interests in horticulture and the environment. From this I gained two NVQ's and a chainsaw licence, oddly enough, to add to the RHS Certificate I already had.
I then received funding to embark on a full time college course in Tree Surgery.
After completing the 12 week course I had gained qualifications and was ready to place myself back in the work market.
In October 2000, I started work for the biggest contract tree surgery firm in the south east and am happy to be back at work.
I think that I have been very lucky in the last few years, getting the help and encouragement that I have received.
This dedication, mainly on the part of everybody at Limited Editions, has led to me becoming a stronger person and getting back to work.
My experience also means that having thought it would never happen to me, like most of us do, I am now a lot more tolerant and understanding of people who are said to have mental health problems.