Hi All,

Thanks for reading my story...stay with me!!

I have decided to take part in RED January- keeping active every day for a month and here’s why....

I’ve been wanting to do something for Solent Mind for a long time so why not push myself. I know that being healthy will help not only with my physical health but my mental health too! 

January is a very dark time for me as every year for the last 4 years I am very unwell with depression for around 2-3 months. I really really want to combat this and make next year the year I don’t get seriously ill! Believe me when I say I hate going through it and just dread the year ending. I’m very anxious about doing RED January but I feel I’m ready as I want to 1) Help my mental health but 2) Give back to Solent Mind for the last 8 years of support they have given me. I could never raise millions of pounds but even just a little would help someone else, which drives me to take part. 

Every step I take, every day I do something in the rain, cold, not wanting to get up, I know I’m helping someone out there and also help my dark days. I am desperate to give back and help Solent Mind.... and here’s my story........

My journey began 10 years ago when I was diagnosed with Bipolar, a mental health condition I will have for life were I experience extreme highs and lows which changes my characteristics and makes me act in unhealthy ways that is damaging to health and wellbeing. 

It was a very hard time for me battling depression and anxiety and being confined to my four walls. Solent Mind changed all of that. They encouraged me very sensitively out of the house and challenged me to start going into schools having stands with leaflets. 8 years on and I am a member of staff running a very successful project that helps so many people and it’s fantastic

My life has changed for the better and I feel grateful every single day that  Solent Mind has made me who I am today. They taught me the sky’s the limit and I am more than my mental health condition. If it wasn’t for their support through the darkest times of my illness, I certainly wouldn’t be here today. 

So for that reason I want to raise money to enable Solent Mind to help more people that are in a dark place see the light and know there is life beyond being ill. The charity has the most amazing projects and encourages service users to use their skills to help others. Peer support and Children and Young People are my passion and I know this money raised will go towards empowering them to achieve their goals and live a well and healthy life. 

Please help me help others and make sure that at least 1 person will not have to endure the experiences I had in my darkest days. 

Thank you so much in advance as every penny will make such a difference.

Love Abby xx