As reported in a recent Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce article
The MD of Minding Minds has just been invited to sit on the Client Services Group of Julian House, a homeless charity that operates services in Bath, Basingstoke and the wider South West.
Chris Stewart says “I was delighted to be asked to join the steering group after I had done some pieces of promotional material for their website. We will be delivering some of our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to them too”.
However, there is a further reason to be delighted about this opportunity. He explains “In the 1990’s I was actually a service user at Julian House myself. They housed me in their night shelter, when I was street homeless in Bath. I had an addiction to alcohol, and undiagnosed bi-polar disorder.”
“It feels like my story has come full circle, so I can guarantee I will be putting everything I can into this opportunity, to pay back what was given to me when I was at my lowest.”
Julian House supports people in many ways and understands how vulnerable this group of people are. Chris’s own experiences and 15 years working within the Substance Misuse field and Mental Health First Aid, will stand him in good stead.
He continues “Our mission to spread Mental Health First Aid to every business in the region is rooted in my own experience. No matter how far down we have gone, there is still potential and value in everyone. No one should be left behind or denied an opportunity.”
Chris is now many years sober and manages his work/health balance to suit his needs.