The Hive has an extremely special place in my heart. 

Many people don’t know about this story, it’s not really about me, it’s about someone else extremely special to me. When they’re ready to share their full story I’ll leave that to them, for now I’ll tell half the story about how life changed and how the Hive came at the perfect moment for this person. 

Lockdown after lockdown we saw mental health cases rise in a horrific way; social isolation, opportunities being ripped away and the uncertainty of what the “new normal” would be affected us all. We became anxious, overwhelmed, lonely, confused and ultimately depressed by all of this. In late 2020 I watched someone who I deeply cared for go from an ambitious creative with the world right in front of them to someone who I barely recognised. They quickly spiralled to the point where me and someone else took them to A&E. For me the experience was traumatic, not being able to see or speak to someone for 6 weeks who you used to speak to everyday, not really knowing what’s going on or if they’re okay was heartbreaking. Even worse hearing updates of how they were doing broke me, it was not a smooth journey in the slightest. It was rough, unforgiving and the fact I couldn’t help or see them, speak to them made it so much worse. Their side of the story I’ll leave for them to tell, but it’s a lot more difficult to hear.

I thought this would be the hardest part for this person, that things would get instantly better. But in fact the journey after has been the biggest struggle. We supported, we helped and waited but nothing of much came. Everything felt like a battle for this person. When a serious mental health condition rises, it’s not linear. It’s a lot of relearning, therapy, tears, fighting. But it is worth it. The first time I saw them smile, laugh it gave me hope. I saw them gaining hope.

15 months post it all happening we moved house to start afresh, get a better life / help and really push for that happiness and regain what was lost. By being introduced to a whole new care team they got the life changing option to join The Hive. This is where the story changes.

The Hive has been a rock for this person, I’m seeing parts of them unlock slowly; the ambition, the hope, the feeling that there is a future for them. This place has given them a place of safety, a place to reimagine and discover who they are all over again. The creativity got lost in their mind, but thanks to The Hive I’m seeing that creativity come back in strengths. I honestly cannot thank them enough. Seeing the projects this person completes and the happiness it brings them is overwhelming to see. 

So in April 2022 I began my own healing, I joined Shropshire Shufflers and made it a mission to do their 10k which is on the 22nd August 2022. When I say I could not run, I could not. But determined to raise money for this charity whilst making sure my mental health kept in check has kept me going. Now I’m like Forest Gump (less hairy and without the stamina) there really isn’t any stopping me! 

The journey isn’t over in the slightest for this person, it’s still going to be a rollercoaster but if we can get more money for this charity and help more vulnerable people the world is going to be a better place.