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Go to P3 HousingAfter spending years battling isolation and low mental health, Ashley made the brave choice to visit her doctor who referred her to P3.
Before P3 support, Ashley* felt isolated in her own home – with her mental health in decline she felt unable to leave her home environment. What once was a comfort was soon becoming a nightmare as the space around her turned from haven to prison.
Ashley made the brave step to visit her doctor to discuss how she was feeling, noticing something was wrong her GP made the decision to refer her to P3 for living support. She says, ‘the support I received from P3 was amazing, it’s very very different to therapy or support groups – very hands on and pro-active.’
Ashley’s support worker took a holistic approach – focusing on the everyday, before the bigger picture. By tackling the daily struggles and practical help, Ashley soon noticed a marked improvement in her mental health and could begin to look towards her future in a more long-term capacity.
One of her biggest challenges, given the amount of time she spent at home, was the energy bill. Being off-grid and all electric, it was difficult for Ashley to change supplier. With the bills racking up, out of no fault of her own, her support worker helped her work through this and contact the provider – enabling real change in her everyday life, and alleviating anxiety.
Her advice to people who feel like giving up would be to reach out – to look for practical people who can help you. The support she received at P3 was non-clinical and ‘down-to-earth,’ which Ashley really appreciated.
Looking to the future, Ashley hopes to take the life skills she gained with P3 with her in her recovery – making the move to more independent living. While she is sure she will continue to struggle with her mental health, she is confident that she now has the skills to look after herself moving forward.
The support I received from P3 was amazing, it’s very very different to therapy or support groups – very hands on and pro-active.
Inspired by the proactive approach, Ashley set up her own voluntary group in Milton Keynes to help other people facing a similar situation. Rather than emotional support, Ashley wanted to get ‘hands-on’ and provide practical support for people. Once a month, the group will go round to the house of somebody who is struggling in the local community and clean their home for them for free. Giving them a clean and comfortable environment, to put their energy into mental recovery.
Ashley was greeted with a full-circle moment when P3 referred two people to Ashley’s voluntary service. She’s happy that she could give a little back to the people who supported her. Her support worker added that ‘the feedback we have received from people we support has been amazing – the team have really touched people’s hearts – and ours.’
For now, Ashley aims to continue working on herself and her voluntary group – to turn it from a voluntary group to a service that is missing in the local area. She has recently given a talk to Milton Keynes Council, explaining the parallel between mental health and clean environments. She hopes to continue to get referrals into the future and truly make a difference in her community.
*Names changed to protect anonymity.
