Kelly Wells

Since moving to Sanctuary Supported Living’s Old Liverpool Road in Warrington, Kelly has seen a marked improvement in her mental health.

Having previously been homeless, and suffered from anxiety and depression for more than 20 years, Kelly says she has turned into a much more confident person.

Now 34, Kelly lives in the shared accommodation which provides support for up to 10 adults with a range of mental health needs.

She said: “Before moving into supported living I was homeless and had battled anxiety and depression since I was just 12 years old.

“The staff at Sanctuary Supported Living are brilliant, easy to talk to and supportive. I feel confident, happy and I’ve sanctuary staff to thank for it.”

Key to this has been Kelly’s enrolment on a nail art beauty course, which has so far seen her successfully qualify as a manicurist.

“At first I was very apprehensive,” she explained. “I declined any information on the course. But after a couple of weeks, my support worker mentioned the course again and while nail art wasn’t something I had previously considered, I eventually bit the bullet and enrolled myself.

“I was very pleased with myself and the Sanctuary Supported Living staff were amazing in talking through techniques to help build my confidence up. Leaving the house often gives me terrible anxiety and I was very nervous about meeting new people.”

Kelly continued: “I made friends with the other students, we swapped numbers and texted often; I’ve even felt comfortable enough to share my mental health problems with them and they’ve been supportive too.

“After that first day, I was generally over the moon. I was proud to come back and tell the staff who all greeted me with a huge well done for taking part.”

I was very pleased with myself and the Sanctuary Supported Living staff were amazing in talking through techniques to help build my confidence up.

Kelly Wells, resident at Old Liverpool Road

For more information about our mental health support services around the country, visit our Mental Health page.