"Staff are all really helpful"

While I have been attending the Dirrans centre, I have improved my cooking abilities to help me cook more at home. I then was able to help make food for the monthly catch ups within the centre for others. I have been able to make real progress and see a difference in myself. 

Staff are all really helpful and lovely. The peer support from the group I am part of now is excellent, we give each other support and encouragement and have a laugh. They are my soul family.

I enjoy doing the strength and balance exercises and meditation and I really feel the benefit of these. Following my stroke and falls that can occur whilst doing daily activities, my confidence was knocked, but now I am building strength through exercise. I am feeling better in myself to try more things.

I also attend a short-term gardening group which is really helping my mental health through the gardening process and being outside.

The issue I now have is financial, I have debt issues currently and can struggle to manage my money, I have to choose between heating and food at times and have struggled through the winter, but I have really benefited from the opportunity of having my rehabilitation support free of charge. This is now changing as charges have been re-introduced.

I feel more confident in myself from attending the Dirrans, I have been able to cope better with less mental health supports in the community, can travel independently and can do more for myself but can continue to struggle daily from health symptoms and with ongoing mental health challenges. My routine has improved through attending the Dirrans and I worry that I'll be unable to continue attending due to financial reasons where I would feel a real set-back.

I am genuinely terrified of a decline in my mental health through worrying about the change of circumstances and loss of this service I value. Staff are on hand to discuss my fears and worries and I know I can pick up the phone should I need more support, however, I wanted to share my positive experiences and concerns at the Dirrans centre.