Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
‘We know what
Support comes from personal experiences Calls from the Prime Minister for the stigma surrounding mental health to be lifted have been welcomed by a unique charity in Canterbury which is home to Kent’s only ‘crisis cafe’. Gerry Warren meets the team
Most passers-by probably take little notice of one unremarkable-looking ‘shopfront’ in the city centre. But inside lives are literally being saved by a group of very special people.
The sign over the door hints at something uplifting, and so it proves, because Take Off is a lifeline for people suffering mental health issues.
Formerly the Canterbury and District Mental Health Forum, the charity now presents a more optimistic outlook, with its vital services used more than 3,000 times last year.
Clients have told how attending has resulted in “a dark cloud” being lifted from them.
But what makes the project unique is that it is run entirely by people who themselves have suffered some form of mental illness. And that, says director Mark Kilbey, is the key to its success.
On the corner of Military Road and Union Street, it operates much like a drop-in cafe, where food and cooking is the foundation of new friendships, socialising and optimism.
Although it is supported financially by a variety of organisations, one of its biggest success stories is its ‘crisis cafe’ – held on Sundays, and the only one of its kind in Kent.
Funded by the lottery through the People’s Health Trust, it has proved remarkably popular in bringing people together on one
‘When I found this place it was like a dark cloud being lifted off me’
of the most isolating days of the week to enjoy activities like baking cakes.
Mark, who joined the charity in 2007, knows all too well the damage that mental illness causes to lives.
The 53-year-old former Metropolitan Police detective is bipolar and was even once sectioned for five months, spending time in a mental health hospital.
Sharing his experiences with other patients convinced him of the benefits of speaking to those suffering similar issues.
He said: “Mental health services do some great work but if I had relied on them, I wouldn’t have got better.
“What we do isn’t a trendy concept but it works. We have an empathy with our clients and know what they are going through. But our aim is very much to focus on the positives.”
The charity has 30 sessional workers who work with eight types of clients with specific problems – from those with eat- ing disorders to those whose personality disorders have led them to self-harm.
All have come through mental illness themselves and, while they have all been trained in delivering their sessions, none are professional clinicians.
Mark says those who suffer with a mental health issues can find it very isolating and victims often become reclusive.
“I know of people who have become virtual hermits and not been out for years,” he said.
His assistant director, Ellie Williams, agrees. The 22-year-old psychology graduate suffered with anxiety and depression in the past.
Now a peer support co-ordinator, she uses her experiences of improving her own wellbeing, which included finding new hobbies, to help elevate others out of negative feelings.
She said: “I discovered Take Off while simply passing one day. I came in for a chat and found it very welcoming.
“I view Take Off as a support network, encouraging an individual to look toward their possible futures rather than focusing on their past.”
Mark says he has no doubt the unique work of the charity has prevented people from taking their own lives. It also results in less strain on other services like A&E, where people in psycho- logical distress often find themselves. “We have people from all walks of life, aged from 16 to 84,” he said. “Mental health has no barriers and can affect anyone at any time in their lives. But the stigma of admitting you have a mental health problem is slowly reducing and I was pleased to hear the government highlighting it recently.”
Former bricklayer Tony Ferringo, 60, who has a mild personality disorder and anxiety, said: “When I found this place it was like a dark cloud being lifted off me.
“It is so informal, there’s no pressure and I’ve learned how to cook.
“I can’t stress how much I enjoy Sundays now. It really sets me up for the week. But if I hadn’t found Take Off, I am sure I would be in a much worse place.”
Mark says many clients are referred to the charity, but adds it is only a “part of the solution”.
“Recovery from mental illness is not a straight line,” he said.
“But the most important thing for someone who thinks they might have a problem is to face up to it and get help. Not dwelling on the past and looking forward and concentrating on the positives is what helps.”
For more information visit www. takeoff.works