"The Staff at The Hub were amazing and very supportive. It was nice to be among people who understood what I was going through. I joined the needlework group and found cross stitch helped take my mind off things I was going through. It was very therapeutic".

How the Hub helped me with my anxiety.

Back in 2008/2009 I went through a hard period in my life when I suffered a Nervous Breakdown. I ended up spending 3 weeks receiving inpatient care for severe anxiety/depression. For the next 6 months to a year afterwards, I was unable to work and found it very difficult to function day to day constantly feeling extremely anxious and having panic attacks. My Doctor had put me on medication but I needed extra support as well.

My company was amazing and helped me access private therapy, but I needed to be with others for support during the day. My husband at the time was working and I didn’t want to be in the house on my own.

That is when I came across The Hub in Tunbridge Wells. I lived local to them and I found out about the services they offer online and through my GP. For someone who struggles with social anxiety, I felt extremely nervous going into a centre where I didn’t know anyone and was worried what they’d all think of me.

Joining the Hub

The first few times I went I was feeling nervous, but I didn’t have anything to be anxious about. The Staff at The Hub were amazing and very supportive. It was nice to be among people who understood what I was going through. I joined the needlework group and found cross stitch helped take my mind off things I was going through. It was very therapeutic. I also had one to one sessions with The Hub Manager, Carol. Her support was invaluable to me. The other clients were lovely and I made good friends with a few people. 

I made a full recovery, but sadly in September 2013, I suffered a tragic loss after the sudden death of my late husband when he was just 37. I was at a loss and needed support once more. While I was off work and on my phased return to my job in London, I visited the Hub again for support. If I hadn't gone through what I did back in 2008/2009 and had the support from my GP and The Hub, I don’t think I would have coped as well as I did after my loss.

Volunteering at the Hub.

The Hub is a valuable Mental Health Support in the local community. I wanted to give something back to the Charity that had helped me so much in the past with my own mental health struggles.

At the start of 2020 before the pandemic, I signed up to be a Time 4 U Volunteer to help people who struggle with loneliness and their own mental health. I provide telephone support and visits when allowed to people who just need a listening ear and check in with how they are doing mentally. It is incredibly important to raise mental health awareness and help people who are struggling with their own mental health.

As someone who has been there myself, it is incredibly rewarding to be able to help people who have been through what I have and give something back.