LOUISE Jessup has travelled a long hard road in her determined battle to overcome her mental health problems and take up a fulfilling and worthwhile career once more.
Now, some 20 years after losing her job as a physiotherapist through mental ill health, Louise, with the help of Shaw Trust is at last nearing her goal.
"I was enormously frustrated to lose the job which I loved and ever since then my sole aim has been to get back into work again," said Louise 46, who has recently embarked on a new career path.
Louise has enjoyed the support of Shaw Trust's Ashford Mental Health project over the past three years and now has a place on a computer training course which she hopes will lead to her to setting up her own business.
She is also about to embark on some part time work with Tesco only four hours a week but her first paid employment in 20 years. She hopes to increase the hours and eventually to bring enough income to come off benefits.
But this transition back into the world of work is not easy and she admits would have been virtually impossible without Shaw Trust's support.
She admits she is nervous abut taking up paid employment again.
"I am frightened. My horror is I'll go back to work feel rough and need time off then I'll lose my job again. But the presence of Shaw Trust is very reassuring, with their support I'm feeling very positive," she said.
A bright articulate woman, Louise looks back over the past 20 years and admits she wishes some things had been different.
She has kept busy acquiring a variety of skills on daytime courses and carrying out voluntary work through Shaw Trust and other agencies but she admits:
"The kind of programmes supporting people back into work that Shaw Trust now have might have helped me keep my job all those years ago.
"But at least now when I finish my course and start my business I know Shaw Trust will be there for me. I want to be fulfilled and happy in my work again and I know I can count on their support to achieve that," she said.
