Mike can hardly believe what he’s achieved

Discharged from the psychiatric hospital, anxiety raging like never before, recovering from a second nervous breakdown, and on my way home.

This was me in the summer of 2003, probably at my lowest ebb - Shaw Trust, learning about computers, writing articles, helping out with other students? No not me, impossible. Not in my wildest dreams. More likely to amble through life waiting for the next breakdown to happen!

How things can change. I became aware of Shaw Trust in St Helens and decided to give them a go. My two teenage daughters had been brought up with computers and I had from time to time felt a little envious of them so the offer of computer training from Shaw Trust sounded almost too good to be true.

The first few weeks of training were better than I imagined but I was still very nervous and one of the things I remember only too well was my hand shaking considerably while trying to control the mouse.

As the weeks passed I began producing posters and was approached by several people to make particular designs. Not only was I now learning but actually really enjoying what I was doing!

My training at Shaw Trust continues and I have come further than I ever dreamed of. I am now working my way through a CLAIT qualification and hope to progress to the next stages.

My confidence is growing, I feel better about myself and was even asked if I felt up to a bit of voluntary work with Shaw Trust, mentoring students who have learning difficulties. I feel proud of myself for being able to help someone else.

When I look back at what I've achieved in the past months, I have to pinch myself. It takes a bit of believing - who'd have thought it?

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