"My journey to recovery"

After spending some time in prison, it was identified by doctors I needed to be in hospital. I went to a personality disorder ward, ended up going back to jail and returning back and forth to hospital a few times not ever really attempting to engage in treatment.

Finally, I spent a longer period of time in hospital, this time I worked with psychology and completed an amount of work. It was agreed I could go to medium secure hospital. I came to Arnold Lodge from Rampton.

It was difficult at first as I had been in Rampton for a while. However, I managed to apply myself to my recovery and engaged in treatment. I moved from Ridgeway to Cannock and made more progress I have never made before like achieving self medication, being able to go out on leave, involved in different projects such as presentations allowing me to share my story at staff training days, presentation to academics at Rampton, coproducing courses and getting involved in a lot of different ways.

Before this admission, I would never get involved or engaged with opportunities but since my time here, I have realised I will only get out what I put in. I had been given chances most of my life, I had just never taken them.