“I was referred to the Green Light Trust by Bethanie, Chances Team Leader at Voluntary Norfolk and I can’t thank her enough. I wanted to join the course because I had just turned 24 and had literally not done anything with my life. I remember always feeling anxious from the age of 5 and I hadn’t ever felt comfortable mixing with people in school or college. My anxiety continued to get worse and worse over the years until I hardly left the house leaving me feeling “terrified” of the prospect of ever going outdoors again. I was diagnosed with agoraphobia, panic attacks and long-term anxiety. All the medications I was given just made me feel worse. My stepdad died during lockdown with COVID and I was very close to him so I just stayed at home, isolated, lonely and ended up living inside for four years. I found myself locked in a negative state of mind which kept me indoors and isolated from everything. I didn’t trust anyone at all but being with the staff at the Green Light Trust has changed all that. I think it’s totally changed the way I feel about people and the world too. The staff are amazing you choose what you want to do so there’s no pressure on you. You can just chill out and chat if you want. They are just really caring people who just want you to do well but more importantly be happy. I used to tell myself really negative stories about how the world was and it wasn’t true – there are some really good people in the world who genuinely want to help. I was totally stuck and didn’t go anywhere. The world outside just seemed completely dangerous and untrustworthy, and my life was ruled by fear and staying safe at home. I realise now that you only get support if you ask for help and the course has been an amazingly positive experience for me. I only joined the course 7 weeks ago and have just enrolled in an allotment project in King’s Lynn. I also went to a Women Only support group last week. The course at Green Light Trust has inspired me to try these new things – it is exciting. Once I took the first step, I wanted to get out there and try other new things. After telling myself for years I can’t do stuff and being locked in the house with my mental illness I now say “I can do this” The feelings I thought were anxiety I’ve now re-labelled as “excitement” this helps me get out of the house if I start feeling the way I used to feel. Being out in nature has been so healing for me – and you don’t get that stuck inside the house! I now tell myself “I am ready” and I really feel I am. I am looking at working in a nursery (plants) or I’m also thinking about doing a Horticulture Apprenticeship. The staff at the Green Light Trust have supported me with this too. If you are thinking about doing a course – do it. You may not think you are ready, but I think you are! Everyone is ready to do something positive with their lives you just need to take the first small step. I’m already booked onto the next course which starts in August and I can’t believe my life has changed so much.
