“Light was either born here or, held captive, here reigns free."
Inscription in Ravenna , among the mosaics
Testimony
On this page you will find stories of survival and recovery from mental illness of members and volunteers who have participated in Arc at some point since it's inception in 1995 – when Arc was known as MAPS – to the present day. We hope you will be as inspired by this moving testimony as we are.
Richard Wickison
Richard Wickison was the very first participant in Arc – then known as MAPS – in 1995. He is now Chief Executive of Stockport Mind. He writes:
“When I first went to MAPS, I was in a hostel for the homeless. I was unbelievably unhappy there. I had completely alienated my family. I guess MAPS became my family and without that support, there is every possibility that I wouldn't be around today. As a member, it offered me the chance to use creativity that I didn't know I had. I think the fact that MAPS put so much faith in me and was willing to let me become a volunteer, gave me responsibility, I mean that just brought my self esteem and self confidence flooding back. I can never put any sort of measurement on that, I don't know what would have happened if that hadn't been there for me.”
Kevin Brosnahan
It was at a great time of need that I came to ARC (MAPS as it was then).
I had lost my children, as a result of losing my job, my marriage, and my dignity. I had died, as I thought, in my head.
I was, mentally, and nervously at breakdown.
I had no home, and no longer had a voice, literally.
I was unable to speak for a short time, and was cared for as an in-patient in the Psychiatric Department at Stepping Hill Hospital.
I had a few more spells as an inpatient over the years, but now I'm an out-patient. I am grateful for the care given to me.
I picked up a brochure about ARC (MAPS) in my doctors waiting room.
I was terrified of making that first step, but when I did it changed my life.
I thought I had no talent artistically, but very quickly realised that I too can be creative.
I met people that understood my shyness, indeed my fear.
After a short while, I felt the warmth of people that don't judge you.
I joined the ‘Creative Writing Group' and went on to be one of the writers that wrote a play that was broadcast on BBC4 on World Mental Health Day, as ‘Play for Today', later to be nominated for an award from ‘Mental Health in the Media'.
With a host of new friends, and ever growing in confidence, I put myself up for election as a ‘Members Representative'. I found my home life was improving too. My increasing confidence, and the feeling of self worth that was given freely to me at ARC, was notable in my life outside ARC. My family, watching the change in me, thank god to this day that I discovered ARC. (Or indeed, did ARC find me?).
I was elected as a Members Representative, and chaired the members meetings for over three years.
How far I had come, I was proud to serve the members in my role.
Yet another development was to come. After approximately seven years since joining my beloved ARC, I was invited to join the Board as a Director. I don't think I had time to take a breath before I accepted.
Now I was to serve the organisation.
I have been in the role of Director for a couple of years now, and as a result of this I have been invited, and joined the Board of two similar mental Health organisations. Though similar in the needs of the members, these organisations are different in many ways. (ARC being the only ‘Arts Centre').
I now am an important part in the linking of our mental health voluntary organisations in Stockport. Due to this I have been given the role of Director of Networking at ARC. I could not be more proud.
ARC has changed my life completely, indeed saved my life, as I was suicidal at my worst.
I now have a fantastic relationship with my beautiful daughters, and life is good.
I am, by no means, the only one, just walk into our studio and you will find so many more content, creative friends, on a positive journey, with regular outbursts of laughter.
Oh, I still can't draw a straight line, but that's the magic of ARC, if you can think of a way to be creative – we do it.
Kevin Brosnahan – Director (Networking).
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