“Two and a half years ago, I found myself in a very dark place. A series of traumatic events throughout my whole life came to the surface, as if opening a Pandora’s box that could not be closed again.
“It started by a simple visit to the doctors with an ear infection. Forty-five minutes later, I found myself sobbing uncontrollably, shaking. What I can only describe as verbal diarrhoea came out of my mouth. Nothing seemed to make any sense to me, but it did to my GP.
“My GP signed me off work on the spot as having a mental breakdown, along with severe anxiety and depression. I had never been signed off from work in this capacity before and refused to believe I was even poorly! My exact words were: “Don’t be silly! I am a teacher. I am not allowed to be poorly!”. Fortunately, I had a very understanding GP who made the referral for me to Navigo services.
“Over the next three months, I slowly started to come to terms that I needed help. As a professional I was the person that people came to for help. I found it incredibly difficult to ask for help for myself. With extremely low confidence, self-esteem and doubt that things would ever return to normal, I took the first steps in reaching out to Navigo.
“Whilst going through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and with a significant amount of encouragement from employment services, I attended one or two groups, set up by volunteers within Navigo. There, I started to find myself again and connect with activities I’d stopped enjoying.
“Navigo began to give me hope. For once in my life I felt I was genuinely being listened to, not judged and most importantly, believed in. It is this belief that those individuals of Navigo (you know who you are!) have given me the drive, ambition and inspiration to help and support others in the same way that I was helped, and to put back the broken pieces of my life.
“When someone truly believes in you, it makes such a significant impact on your life in every way imaginable. It is for this reason I chose to become a volunteer as I feel part of the Navigo family. I want to be able to give others the kindness, support and most importantly the belief that things will get better, no matter how long the road to recovery. You do not have to complete this journey on your own.
“As a volunteer, I now run my own group over at Tukes Hub next to Navigo House, The Creative Wellbeing Workshop, every Wednesday 10am- 12pm. The aim is to offer service users a gentle, supportive space where they can slow down, connect with themselves, and explore creativity as a tool for wellbeing.
“Through mindfulness, arts, crafts, and journaling, service users are encouraged to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and non judgemental environment.
“Each session invites people to experiment with different creative mediums, from drawing and painting to collage, crafts, and reflective writing.
“I wanted to make the focus not on artistic skill, but on self expression, discovery, and the benefits of creativity.
“These workshops aim to support personal recovery by promoting calm, confidence, emotional expression, and connection with others. It is a space to breathe, create, and find new ways to tell their story using colour and listening to soothing music.
“With help and support from various teams within Navigo, I have enrolled on a full-time course at the University of Hull to become a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMHN). I have successfully completed the first year of my course and have enjoyed every moment of it so far!
“If I am completely honest, I never thought I would leave the teaching profession, but I aspire to become a mental health nurse as there are so many transferable skills from teaching to nursing. If I have learnt anything, it is to always keep an open mind, reach out for support and take up opportunities as they arise.
“My long-term vision, once qualified is to work full time as a RMHN for Navigo, joining the passionate and dedicated family, that strives to help and support our community members and service users.
“I have seen first-hand the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes and the collaboration between the different areas of Navigo. The impact that Navigo has is both motivational and inspiring, speaking from personal experience and is another reason why I have become a Lived Experienced Ambassador for Navigo.
“I am proud to be a volunteer and a Lived Experience Ambassador, but I am also looking forward to becoming a fully RMHN and giving back, help and support to Navigo service users in the future — all of which I once believed was beyond my reach.
“Remember, anything is possible! All you must do is believe in yourself!”
Vikki’s Creative Wellbeing Workshop is open to all service users, carers and community members. It meets at Tukes Hub, Brighowgate every Wednesday from 10am.
If you’re looking to build your experience and gain valuable knowledge with the goal of applying for paid work, we offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities across our sites and services. It’s a great way to get involved, learn new skills, and support your community. Click here to find out more.