When I arrived at New Hall I was not in a good place, my head was in a mess. I was taking drugs and I had run away from my previous placement more than once. I was anxious, depressed, self-harming and at times I felt suicidal.
When I arrived at New Hall I was not sectioned but within 6 weeks I was placed on a section under the Mental Health Act.
When I went to New Hall I was still having thoughts about self harm, I developed a knack of pushing staff to the limits but even when I did, they never gave up on me.
Gradually I began to like myself again. I received lots of encouragement, I was praised where praise was due and given constructive feedback when it was needed. Staff would certainly not always agree with me but always explained why I could not do certain things.
I was encouraged to attend Wrexham Disability Football Club. Playing football and socialising with fellow footballers gave me confidence, a great set of new friends and improved my physical and mental health.
My New Hall journey was not always positive. A few months before my eventual discharge I was re-sectioned when I was going through a challenging time but with the help and support of the team at New Hall that was short-lived.
I was really sad to leave all my friends at New Hall when I moved to a step down facility however I still come back to see my friends.
New Hall certainly set me onto the road to recovery. I’m now planning to go to Munich in March next year to represent Wales at a football tournament.
Not bad hey?
