From rock bottom to loving life
BREAKTHROUGH – AMY TURNER AS a teenager, Amy Turner felt isolated as a carer for her mum Michele. But she struggled even more when Michele died at the age of 49. “This led to self-harming and suicide attempts because I didn’t see any future for myself,” she said. But Amy, 23, from Glasgow, managed to turn her life around and has been recognised with the HSBC UK Breakthrough Award. She said: “The way I feel about life now is completely different to before. Not only do I feel healthier and happier, I feel more resilient and enjoy being surrounded by people as a volunteer in my local community.” Amy admitted she hit rock bottom when her mum died. “It was very hard. I just felt as though no one would miss me.” She took part in different programmes with the Prince’s Trust which helped her mental health. Amy said: “They helped me realise that life is worth living. I knew I had to engage with the outside world if I wanted things to improve. I could feel myself becoming more confident and resilient.” A Get into Health and Social Care course made her realise the skills she had learned as her mum’s carer could be used for work. Amy started working part-time but then her dad William, 52, suffered a stroke, so she’s taken time away to become his main carer. Amy said: “Although this has been hard, I feel better equipped to deal with the responsibility and I know that once he recovers, I’m in a much better place to get another job.” She also volunteers at Cassiltoun Housing Association and is involved in an LGBTQ youth group. She said: “The Prince’s Trust have helped me realise who I am and what my qualities and skills are. “I was shocked about the award because I’m just me. I don’t think I’m anything special.”
I feel more healthy, happy and more resilient