Kerry: making informed choices

Kerry lives independently in supported living in Poole. She is supported by Mel, registered manager and other support staff. 

Kerry says: ‘I enjoy spending time with my daughter, spending time with Mel, I like swimming, I like to go and listen to the wildlife in Poole Park’.

Kerry has been through a lot in her life, leading to depression and anxiety with her mental and physical health. Although Kerry recognised she needed support, she felt very reluctant and anxious to meet Bea. She was introduced slowly, and now says ‘It’s nice to offload to Bea, she has improved my quality of life.’

Kerry is very open with how she feels and what she needs to be supported.

Here is an interview with Kerry.

How has Bea helped you? 

She helped me with my mental health big time, she can talk to me about literally anything, and she even had a cup of tea on the last visit!

Bea talked to me about my physical and mental health and my family. She is such a lovely lady, it’s enough for her to come in once a week. She has improved my quality of life. She always says it’s my decision, it’s my choice.

What has Bea done to help you?  

When we started my mental health was at the lowest, but now she’s trying to teach me what emotion goes where. Anger, is like at the door. She teaches me what category each emotion goes in. Like which category happy goes in and where.
She’s very, very good, I like Bea very much. I’m very pleased with the outcome and what I’m receiving.

What things can you do when you don’t feel good? 

My anxiety is explosive and I haven’t got time to breathe properly, so Bea gave me breathing exercises to help me through. She gives me tools to use, breathing exercises to do when I’m overwhelmed, she gave me coping strategies.

Now you are feeling a bit better, what would you like to do more of in the future? 

I’m a people person, I would like to be some sort of support worker, and help other people.

Even if it’s in a nursing home, to help one person and forget about all my problems, it’s worthwhile at the end of the day. They might not have any family, they might be struggling, if they see a happy smiley face come in to the room, I would feel like I’ve done something worthwhile.

I worked in the hospital for about 20 years. I left because I fell pregnant with my daughter. Taking the meals up to the wards on great big trolleys. Used to help the chefs, even if I annoyed them by putting their hats through the dishwasher!
My main job was to help with the dish wash, keep things clean and wash plates and keep things safe.

My aim, I’ve always wanted to help other people.
My neighbour Stewart, he has down syndrome, would come around to listen to music and spend time with me. He felt like my big brother. It made a difference to him, because then he felt like he wasn’t alone.

You can help support people like Kerry to tackle her struggles with mental health by donating to Kind2Mind: Healthy Mind, Happy Life from 14-28 May.