How Family Work Changed Our Lives. There is always hope. Part 1

During Carers Week we are sharing stories of hope, courage and challenge carers face every day.

Jinny commented, ‘first of all and more importantly, Robert, my late husband could not accept Hannah’s diagnosis. Hannah’s siblings could not understand what was going on in Hannah’s head and because one of the voices happened to be the voice of her sister Hannah’s sibling found herself excluded from family life due to the difficulties around this. Naturally she felt rejected.  This voice was negative and it affected everyday life in lots of ways.

As a Mum, I thought I was muddling along quite well until I was put in touch with the Family Interventions Team. This was a turning point. A lady called Andrea Emmens came to see us and I cried.  It was such a release and I needed to do it. When Andrea came into our lives it was a turning point. We can’t tell you how important the Family Intervention Team has been for us. As time on went we also received support via Jo who worked with my late husband Robert. She helped my husband to accept Hannah’s illness. I will never forget them. They were marvellous.  I started to learn how to empathise with my daughter. Community Psychiatric Nurses helped too and Andrea also worked with Hannah and introduced her to Peter Bullimore *to help her live with the voices she hears’.

Our lives have completely changed due to the interventions. Relationships in our family are back to being as close as they ever were and more. We are strengthened as a family. Thank you’.

Look out for part 2 in July 2017  when Jinny and Hannah share their experiences of volunteering and how Carers Support Groups can be a life line.

Family Interventions Team for Adult Mental Health.  

Andrea Emmens – Family Interventions Coordinator, Mental Health Unit, Bassetlaw Hospital, Worksop Notts, S80 0BD

Tel: 01909 502025

Enquiries: bftenquiries@nottshc.nhs.uk   Twitter @Familywork123

Alyson Leeks Family Interventions Co-ordinator (Mon-Wed) Manor Road, Gedling,

Tel: 07824835292

More information -Peter-Bullimore  Peter Bullimore works in a clinical way with people that have mental health difficulties. Peter heard his first voice aged seven. He delivers training to mental health professionals, carers and support workers