CASE STUDY : BRIAN

Hi my name is Brian, and I suffered/suffer from IBS triggered by anxiety which left me stuck in house unable to leave. Because without knowing where a toilet was available, I felt panicked and even knowing there was a toilet available I did not feel comfortable to use it in public. So the life I was living for the past 6 years, was no life I wanted, it was no life at all. 

Having three sons and a strong and patient partner, it helped my mind stay strong. I wanted to get better, I wanted to support them, and I wanted them to look up to me as they once did. My family gave me the strength I needed to be able to want to get help. 

With the help and support I was receiving from Occupational Therapy, I showed up to Fife IPS the day before my first appointment (in the days before Covid19 when you could do this!), so I wouldn't feel so anxious when I turned up alone. The people were not expecting me, but opened the door to me, they were very kind and understanding to the issues I have and made me feel very comfortable and told me where toilets were. That made returning the next day much more relaxing. 

I met my Employment Specialist who was kind and understanding and didn’t want me to feel rushed into anything. The first few meeting where just filling in paperwork and chatting to get to know each other and it made me feel more open to talk to someone new. 

This one day a week meeting was my goal to start with, as it was far enough away to push me to get out of the house. I had no vehicle so a 20 minute walk away from home was a big step. As the weeks past the goals changed and now I was filling in a CV, I had never written one as the last job I had I was there 11 years but I didn’t feel pressured or rushed. My Employment Specialist helped me where he could and helped me get what I wanted to get over to an employer on paper. I was happy with the CV but I knew what the next step would be. 

At no point was there pressure added, there was no mention of timescale, my Specialist also offered to help me further, to try and get further away from home on buses and to go for coffee to further help my therapy work.

I knew why I was here so I made the decision to start the next step I wanted to work, I wanted my life back and my specialist helped me feel this could happen, with support and encouragement we set new goals. Applying for jobs, my specialist was helping me while I was with him applying for jobs, and when I was at home I was applying and sending information back to him via email. Every morning I would check the jobsites and apply for something.

It was at Fife IPS where the next chapter would unknown to me take place, whilst looking through sites we found a job for woodwork - not thinking it would happen as the 20 before hadn't so we applied for it and others. Checking closing dates, the times had closed, so carried on searching until a new number turns up on my phone. Scared i answered it," Are you still looking for work" wow I say yes and the interview was set for the next day. I turned up, was honest and explained everything about my condition, they were glad I told them then I got shown around and met the staff. I knew I wanted to be here. At the end of interview, I was offered the job and got a start date.

Going on 6 weeks and loving the work I began being part of something which helped with my finances help too. The work is hard. I’m aching everywhere but at the end of the day I feel good. Making friends and having people to talk to is good. I haven’t missed a day and I’m doing overtime -as much as is offered. I am at work more than I am at home which makes being home even more special. Catching the bus was a struggle for first few weeks but with the first pay check I passed my CBT test and managed to get a motorbike. Now I have my independence I’m not waiting for anyone to help me. I can go anywhere and my anxiety has dropped so much. 

While I have been on my journey there has always been a lifeline on my phone that is the Fife IPS team who would always be there if I had a bad day or was struggling to get to work, or just checking in to say hi. Giving encouragement and praise of how well I’m doing. He would always help my day be that much better, this hasn’t stopped I still go to Fife IPS for catch up when I can and they do not stop the quality of service just because you’re working. That is everything to me and I’m sure whoever embarks on their own journey will feel the same.

Christine was referred to Employ Your Mind (EYM) by her Occupational Therapist (OT). Initially Christine thought the course was purely about people getting back to work, and she didn’t think this would be the right course for her due to both her mental and physical health problems. 

Christine had previously been referred to a therapy group, which she describes as a negative experience as participants were encouraged to speak about difficulties they faced, and she assumed that EYM would be similar. Despite these initial worries, Christine decided that she would attend the first EYM appointment and find out more for herself.

Christine was supported by her OT to her first EYM meeting.  She describes feeling very anxious as she was worried about having to meet new people, and thought she would have to talk about her mental health and that people would judge her on this. However, Christine says that the reality of this meeting was that the EYM Learning Coach made her feel very welcome, she was under no pressure to speak about her mental health and she actually felt excited about being given this opportunity to join the course. 

As she progressed with the phase 1 appointments, Christine started to feel comfortable enough to start talking to the Learning Coach about some of her difficulties and concerns about attending EYM. One of her biggest concerns was coming together as a group and meeting new people, however staff provided reassurance on this and spent time talking through different strategies she could use to enable her to cope. At this stage she also felt that due to her physical health problems that attending 3 sessions a week would be too much for her, but staff provided reassurance that they would support her to attend as often has possible. 

Once the group sessions started Christine was surprised how quickly she settled in. She was contributing to group discussion and activities, and was surprised by how much she was enjoying the sessions and how quickly each one passed. 

Approx. 4 months into the course Christine faced some very difficult personal circumstances which had a big impact on both her physical and mental health. Due to feeling overwhelmed during this period, she initially felt that leaving EYM was her only option. Christine was encouraged by EYM staff, her OT and her mum to try and keep attending. With the correct level of support and encouragement she continued to attend, and describes the course as being a very welcome distraction from this difficult period, and that she surprised herself that despite all that she was going through, she still continued to attend.

Towards the end of the course, Christine felt confident enough to undertake a work experience placement so that she could gain her SQA Steps to Work qualification. During the initial placement planning stages, she decided that she would like to try and return to vocal coaching which is something she had previous experience in. She had previously volunteered with a local charity who provide a range of creative activities for young people including music practice and recording. EYM staff contacted the organisation, and a work placement was set up, whereby Christine was providing vocal coaching sessions to small groups. 

Christine was very anxious about going back, as she felt she had maybe been out of vocal coaching for too long. However with full support from EYM staff, she was welcomed back and describes the experience as being positive and not nearly as bad as she thought. The opportunity made her realise she was enjoying meeting new people and this is something that she would previously worry about. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 lockdown Christine had to stop her placement temporarily, but is hoping to go back when government guidelines allow it.

On asking Christine to summarise her experience at EYM she said: 

“The best part of the course for me was how helpful, relaxed and approachable all the staff were. Their encouragement and support, enabled me to open up more, make new friends, develop new skills and for me to become a lot more aware of who I am as a person.

I was surprised by how very quickly I felt comfortable and welcome, and the kindness of the staff just oozed out. During lockdown EYM staff have phoned me every week, and again I am appreciative of their support during this time.

I didn’t come to EYM with any particular goals,  however once I completed the group sessions it made me realise that I am a lot more capable than I initially thought, and I left the course feeling like I could conquer the world. I would definitely recommend EYM to others and my advice would be to not let your insecurities and anxieties get in the way, but just DO IT!”