My Abstract and Poster from NHS AWP Conference November 7th -
How BALP (Bristol Active Life Project) and Rethink helped me put my life back together.
Dr Peter Hale, Volunteer Researcher Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
halepv@yahoo.co.uk
BALP and Rethink constructive activities involved a mixture of completing my PhD (Computing), volunteering, mental health campaigning, temporary work and research, and BALP activities. I’ve also completed many vocational and academic web, programming, computing, business and administrative courses. This has greatly helped my mental and physical health. I have asthma and diabetes, but this doesn’t stop me exercising, this makes exercise more important (with the appropriate medical treatment and advice).
I first took up walking with BALP. We got together at MIND in Old Market, to meet before and have tea and coffee after. Whilst there, I saw a poster for BALP football training at St Pauls. So I took part in BALP football training and playing on Tuesdays at St Pauls.
The main organisations that have supported me are BALP, Rethink, and NHS. There are still setbacks to my physical and mental health due to the negative attitudes in society. But Rethink and BALP help me cope with this, and involve me in changing that. BALP provides a supportive environment, and prevent me becoming stressed as I would by playing in regular league team.
