"The transition from high to low secure"

From the age of 14 I have been in secure prisons as general prisons were not suitable for me. Time at home was not the best for me then either. My drinking increased my mental health issues.

Since my early teens I was in and out of police stations and courts. I was put in prison for my own and public safety. I could not cope in prison as I felt too vulnerable with my own issues and other people's issues. I became increasingly unwell, continually self harming. I struggled to reflect in prison as my frustrations got the better of me.

After this I was transferred to a private hospital. My medications made me feel worse and I was very unwell. I felt overwhelmed by all of this. The team there supported my with my therapies but I became increasingly aggressive, assaulting staff and constantly being in seclusion, damaging property. I was on 4:1 at one point.

This led to my transfer to Rampton due to my violence. I was handcuffed on my journey and I thought this was the worst thing that could've happened. I started on the admissions ward and this was a big experience for me. I was agitated and nervous of what was to come. I slowly settled in with the staff. I was constantly reassured and this really helped me. I participated in sessions and saw my named nurses and doctors. I eventually got transferred to a different ward after completing all my therapies. I continued to get involved with therapies and kept myself busy.

I lost my father around this period and it was very hard for me. After around 5 or 6 years a tribunal panel released me for discharge. I was transferred to St. Andrew's which is a medium secure. It was a therapeutic community. I became more interactive with my mum and gained things such as S17 leave. I then got transferred to a locked rehabilitation in another private hospital in Shirebrook. I settled in there, however I quickly became over stimulated and everything became too much for me to handle with all the activities they provided. My mental health quickly started to decline and I couldn't cope.

I was then transferred to Well Road Centre. I assaulted staff and damaged property when I first arrived due to a quick transition during COVID-19. This was a very stressful time for me. One day I realised this was time for me to grow up. I struggled with the death of my grandmother and now my mother has cancer also. This just motivates to become a better person everyday.

I have come so far and my mental health issues bother me less each day. I work with the team to make myself suitable for the community. I have attended social committee here at Wells Road as well as attending conferences. I managed to attend IMPACT conference whole day with the team, the W/M has received an outstanding award and I was allowed to receive this award with the W/M.

I really appreciate that I was able to attend this. All this is helping me move on. I go on home leave twice a week and engaging more with occupational therapy. I didn't think I'd ever make it to the place I am now. I never thought I'd have achieved what I have. The staff believed in me and motivated me to move on and enjoy the rest of my life with my mum. The ward staff are so proud of how far I've come.