My final meeting at work was with my union rep and 2 high ranking managers. They told me that if I didn’t return to work full time and with full responsibilities on the Monday of the next week then I would be dismissed under section 4 of some policy or another. Alternatively I could resign with a month’s pay.

I had struggled for years with a boss who wanted me out. He had managed to manipulate, lie and bully at least ten others into going before it was my turn. I had worked there happily for over 20 years before he arrived.

Three years earlier I had stepped down as a middle manager so as to have as little to do with him as possible.  I was a single mum of two and due to the cut in pay i was struggling to make ends meet. My family was in Manchester and I was living in the Midlands so i had no support.

Then I had a life-saving emergency operation, then a follow-up major operation and was scheduled for another follow-up major operation. I was worn down and vulnerable at this point. I needed time out from what was already a stressful job. So there was no way I could return to work at that point. Not full time and with full responsibilities. I had no choice but to resign.

I had no job and couldn’t afford my house. I was mentally unwell and needing another operation, so I decided to move back north, home to Manchester. One daughter was now at university, the other was working and able to share a rented house. I moved in with Mum and Dad. Not ideal but what else could i do?

Moving house and cities was a long drawn out and stressful process. Then, after my third major operation I developed a rash all over my body which turned out to be severe psoriasis, which quickly became debilitating, needing daily hospital treatment. My mental health worsened. I was totally broken, withdrawn and so lacking in confidence that I couldn’t talk to anyone but close family members.

I had been a person with a vocation, hardworking and purposeful, who loved working with people. I don’t know if I can ever get back to that point, but now I have hope. Attending Mustard Tree and joining the Freedom Project my confidence has grown so much, volunteering in the kitchens and then on reception, with people showing their confidence in me.

With the Art Group staff’s support and encouragement art is now really important to me, and I have found a new interest in the Textiles Group. Also I feel the performances with the Song Club have been key to my getting better, all in it together!

I am amongst people who ‘get it’, who also struggle and keep trying, and I feel I have a place in this community.