My article for Rethink Bristol Newsletter and Bristol Active Life Project

Testimonial

How BALP (Bristol Active Life Project) and Rethink helped me put my life back together – From Talk March 30^th – BALP - Bristol

Background

I was critically injured, made redundant and evicted my accommodation. I have anxiety and depression and mild asperger syndrome. I was discriminated against by many authorities who showed little understanding or care for mental health.  This led to a perfect storm of conflict; I sued every agency that harmed me. I had great support from Rethink to cope through all this. Rethinks’ help created space and time in my life to get involved in more constructive activities.

BALP (Bristol Active Life Project)

These 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 admin 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. There was professional coaching, other training and football days, and a football team. As I got fitter I began training on Fridays at South Bristol, where there is a weather proof Astroturf pitch. Before long I was also ready to play for the team, and now I’m a regular. Our BALP team won a tournament last year and were second this year.

I’ve only missed 1 BALP football games day and this was for the Bristol Half Marathon. BALP had supported me by paying the fees and giving advice. I was able to run this because I had been training at a gym and outdoors with the help of an exercise on prescription scheme. I’ve also played in a BALP badminton tournament and still go on the walks also. These walks are now with Rethink.

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.

I’m a campaigner with Rethink, BALP, Time to Change, Healthwatch, and NHS. So I’m part of a highly effective campaign against mental health discrimination that combines activities of many charities and groups. Also I’ve passed my PhD, published in Journal/Conferences and on the Web, and I’m involved in further research on computing, and on mental health and activities.

The reason BALP and Rethink have been so effective is because they worked out WITH me what I can and can’t do and what I want, not decided this FOR me.

BALP Bristol Active Life Project (BALP) - http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/leisure-and-culture/bristol-active-life-project-balp - 0117 352 1173 or email balp@bristol.gov.uk

Rethink-health walk every Thursday from the Settlement, City Road St Pauls, Bristol - http://www.rethink.org/services-groups/services/bristol-community-support-services - contact details - for referral