Sisters tell how their lives changed dramatically for the better

During a celebration event for Bristol Mental Health’s Community Rehabilitation Service, Bev sat quietly as her sister Lesley told a room full of people how the team had turned their lives around.

In an impromptu speech Lesley said: “For thirty years we have lived with Bev’s mental health problem, during times when she was well taking her medication and many times when she was ill and had to be admitted into hospital. She was well supported within hospital but the community support after discharge was poor, we weren’t given any support and contact with the team was difficult.”

“This time when Bev was discharged she was supported by the Community Rehabilitation team and everything changed. They worked with me and involved me in meetings and asked me what I would like to see. Communication was ongoing and I met the staff.”

“They helped Bev enrol onto courses to learn about her mental health and to meet other people with similar problems. She learnt new languages too and her medication was reviewed and discussed at length with the community nurse and her GP.”

Bev’s story was captured in a short film shown at a Celebration Event for the service at The Station in Bristol on February 15 which brought together clients, carers, staff, volunteers and partners.

Chris Kinston, the Community Rehabilitation Service manager, said: “It was heart-warming to hear what Lesley had to say. The team works hard to support people like Bev to turn their lives around.”

The Community Rehabilitation Service is run by Second Step, Avon and Wiltshire NHS Partnership Trust and women’s mental health organisation Missing Link