Kelly | Faces of Futures
Kelly, Senior Project Worker, Angus Mental Health Peer Support
Hi, my name is Kelly Christie and I’m a Senior Project Worker for Hillcrest Futures’ Angus Mental Health Peer Support service. I started working for Hillcrest Futures in 2020 as a Peer Support Worker when the service first started. I am also a Suicide Intervention and Prevention Programme Trainer and am now a Senior Project Worker for both the Adult and Young Person’s Peer Support services.
Being a Mental Health Peer Support Worker means we have lived in experience of mental health. This helps us connect well with service users as we are understanding and have empathy and compassion. We have a wide range of coping strategies that we can share.
We are huge supporters of a positive future for service users. Whether they are in crisis or have long-standing issues we can provide a safe place to talk, provide coping strategies and signpost to relevant services.
As a team we have supported nearly 7,000 people in four years within the North of Angus. Being able to share parts of my story where relevant has been an inspiration for many people it shows that you can improve your mental wellbeing and day to day living. This gives me huge satisfaction at work knowing we are helping people to improve their lives and in some case save lives.
I specialise in mental health and suicide prevention. I suffered a severe brain injury when I was 24 years old and was told I would never work again, be able to retrain, hold any new memories and I would always need a carer. I was a single mum to my daughter who was five years old. I lost all control of my life in every way possible.
I became severely depressed, isolated and attempted to take my own life as I did not see the point in my life at the time. I had to rebuild my life starting from scratch with little support from services. I was always told this is your life now, you need to accept it.
I did not accept it. I tried so many ways to improve my life – coping strategies I used did not always work but I kept on trying until I found a way that did.
After some time gradually rebuilding my life, I was able to retrain as a nail technician. I went on to work for myself within the first year, by the second year I opened my first salon, and by my third year I won my first award. I was also lucky enough to work at London and Paris Fashion Weeks.
Tell me I cannot do something, and I will prove you wrong. I love to set goals and smash them.
I understand how hard it is to fight against mental health, I understand how lonely it can feel and how low it can make you feel. It is so important for people to understand that they can improve their life. Sometimes just having a chat can help. Encouraging a person and giving them hope for a positive future is an incredible role to have.
I love Hillcrest Futures’ company cultures and values. They are there for the people, they improve and better people’s lives, and they care and want to make a difference.
I work in an amazing team. We started during the pandemic and worked together to make it work during a very hard time for everyone. We have made amazing partnerships with other third sector services and the NHS.
We are part of the Enhanced Community Support (ECS) Hub in Angus. I have been part of that for the last four years. All referrals come to the Hub and we have a daily meeting to discuss where each referral is suitable. In four years not one referral has been rejected. The Hub consists of community mental health, peer support, psychology and aiders. We all work together where we can and discuss the support required. This has 100% helped my confidence as a peer worker. We all have great working relationships, and I now have the ability to refer back to the Hub if I feel a service user needs more specialist support.
My advice to those considering a career in care/support would be to be passionate, compassionate and non-judgmental. Be honest about yourself and share any experience you may have had professionally and personally.
Hillcrest Futures promotes a healthy work life balance as they encourage self-care, suitable breaks and good holiday entitlement. Supervision is also an important part where managers check in regularly.
They are understanding about life events with a great support package available. They also have a reward and recognition initiative for staff which is great and can be for a team or individual person. It is always nice to know your work is being recognised.
I am very lucky to have had a few highlights, considering I was told I would never work or retrain again. I am very proud that my hard work has led me to becoming a Senior Project Worker. I absolutely love my role, I love to learn and I love to help manage two amazing teams who make a huge difference in the area.
I have met some incredible people and being able to help support people in their journey melts my heart time and time again. This is probably a highlight each day for me.
Our Faces of Futures campaign showcases the depth and breadth of our Hillcrest Futures services and specialisms, and promotes us as an employer of choice to attract new talent into the business. For more information, click here.