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PENTREATH - LOOKING FORWARD TO
WORK
How
a mental health initiative in Cornwall has helped a veteran get back on
his feet, Paul Hope, Naval veteran, reports…
Pentreath is a charity that offers an extensive package of training options such as; personal development sessions, projects aimed at improving fitness, social inclusion packages and various courses based around the job search. However, the training is from a much wider perspective than might be expected and is, very much client led.
Pentreath has formed a hard working and dedicated team who not only care but are very practical in outlook too.
This proactive, forward looking and positive ethos, together with the services on offer, make Pentreath in my opinion, unique.
I had a very varied and interesting career in the RN, which like most, had its ups and downs.
I was diagnosed as suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Alcoholism, in the late eighties, precipitated by a disciplinary incident. I was treated in-Service with various courses to treat both my PTSD and alcoholism that provided me with a new positive vision of the future.
In 1998 I left the Navy, after 22 years, positive, confident and keen. Steady employment followed.
I then suffered a bout of illness affecting my health and outlook on life. The diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and finding effective medication took months, allowing the pain to be dulled sufficiently to function on a day-to-day basis albeit at a much reduced capacity. This meant I could no longer hold down my job. As I tried to come to terms with this, I sank into despair, clinical depression and the symptoms of PTSD returned.
It wasn’t until I met my Community Psychiatric Nurse that my recovery process was kick-started. She encouraged me to contact Pentreath for a job and use the process to get as much experience as possible.
I now work as a volunteer Employment Placement Advisor four days a week. The change this has made in my life is startling and the benefits to my self-confidence and self-esteem have helped me begin to build my life again.
I still
have bad days with the IBS and the occasional wobble emotionally but as I
settle into the routine, they become less and less. Although it looks
like the IBS is here to stay the other ‘mental’ symptoms seem
to be receding and I am able to get along pretty well.
I am coping with day-to-day
problems in a much healthier way.
For
further information call 01579 349389,
email pentreath@pentreath.co.uk
or visit www.pentreath.co.uk
- OUTCOME OF THE GURKHA
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE REVIEW
- A NEW HOME FOR A VETERANS
IS JUST A CLICK AWAY
- VETERANS UK - THE NEW NAME
FOR SERVICES TO VETERANS
- SHIP - SELF-HELP INTIATIVES
PROJECT
- PENTREATH - LOOKING FORWARD TO WORK
