The Millennium Forum Helped Change My Life
High Praise for Millennium Forum
Story by Peter - Light at the end of the tunnel.
Dessie, 34 is no stranger to know what it's like to live with a Mental Health condition. Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety 16 years ago and then a couple of years later with Personality Disorder he knows what it's like to have challenges everyday of the minute. But things changed for him when he started working at the Millennium Forum.
After leaving school at 16 he went onto work in local supermarkets and a local call centre when then he took time out to recover from everyday challenges. He done a lot of volunteering while off but ''they were unsuccessful for various reasons'' and he then ''lost all hope and couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel''.
In October 2023, Dessie's support worker approached the Millennium Forum to try and give the ''volunteering another go to make something a success'' and little did he know ''it was about to help change my life''. He was only supposed to volunteer at the Forum for a six-week period working in the Box Office and Front of House departments alongside many colleagues and his managers Lisa and Paddy.
''Working in the Box Office with such amazing people who welcomed me into the work place with open arms was something i never experienced before. I didn't feel judged nor was i questioned about my Mental Health, i was accepted in as me and not the person with challenges everyday''.
Dessie is high praise for his managers Lisa who is the Box Office and Access manager and Paddy who manages him in Front of House who have shown trust in him and helped get the potential they seen in him out and helped ''me see that there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel when your in a environment that's both healthy and positive''.
Dessie no longer volunteers in the Millennium Forum but is now very much part of the ''family atmosphere'' of the Forum. His colleagues are full of high praise for him with Liz telling me ''Dessie started working here in October 2023 for what was to be, a six-week work experience. One and half years later Dessie is still here and very much part of the team''
Liz went onto say ''Dessie was a bit shy at first, but he soon blended in with the staff'' He worked with Liz in the Front of House department to where he ''gained hands on experience in dealing with the public. It was a big step for Dessie initially but with his determination, and the help of staff in the Forum thanks to our training in awareness and inclusion for all, Dessie's confidence has grown such that he ventured out on his first Christmas party last December and he thoroughly enjoyed himself''.
Liz continued on to praise Dessie for speaking out about himself that he could help others see light at the end of the tunnel. ''Dessie is a great asset to the Box Office and hopefully, by getting his message out there, others will be encouraged to take the first step in a positive direction''.
Dessie say's he wouldn't know what to do now if it wasn't for the Forum. He has made such great friends and will be forever grateful to everyone including the management team and CEO who he has a great relationship with all. He loves helping customers and ''loves seeing their smiles during performances'' and most recently the joy in people's faces going to see the Panto during Christmas.
If your struggling and need someone to speak to, you can call lifeline on 0808 808 8000 (24 hours a day) or speak to your GP or attend your local A&E Department