An inspirational Redcar mum who felt “on the scrap heap” after struggling with her mental health is now looking forward to a brighter future – thanks to the support of Trust staff.
Niki Wass was in “a dark place filled with pain” when she was admitted to Roseberry Park Hospital in Middlesbrough in 2022, after attempting to take her own life.
“I was convinced at the time my family would be better off without me,” she recalls. “But somehow, I survived, and being in hospital gave me the pause in life I needed to reflect on things.
“As I started to feel a bit better, I found myself wanting to give back to the service that had helped me. I didn’t realise it then, but it would help with my recovery and change my life.”
Health struggles
Niki, 45, suffered from bouts of depression as an adult, but managed to balance running her own care business with her role as a mum-of-three – until a difficult breakup in 2019.
Just a year later she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and IBS and, as she grappled with family issues, so her anxiety and depression grew progressively worse.
Eventually, she had to step back from her business and was signed off work. Then, Covid hit. As the lockdowns began, so Niki’s mental and physical health spiralled downwards.
“I felt worthless, lost all my self-respect, felt lost without a job to be proud of and was in a lot of physical pain too,” she said. “It was a very dark time in my life.
“My admission to hospital brought the support I needed. But, as time went on, I realised that getting up and doing something would be the key to my recovery – I wanted to help others.
“I needed something to aspire to, not just to stay in bed. It seemed very daunting, but I knew I’d have to fight to pick myself back up and keep going. It was the only way forward for me.”
Helping others
Just three months after her discharge, Niki was back on the wards of Roseberry Park – this time as a volunteer. Her dream of helping others was starting to come true.
Then, when the Trust’s involvement and engagement (I&E) team reached out to volunteer services for some admin support, Niki offered to help – a move which “changed her life”.
“Volunteering with the involvement staff gave me a lot of confidence and helped me regain my self-worth,” she said. “I realised I still had something to offer within the workplace.”
After several months of volunteering, involvement staff – including Dawn Teeley and Jess Wilkinson – encouraged Niki to study for specialist admin courses and apply for paid jobs.
Within weeks she was offered two posts, and now works as an outreach support coordinator with a disburse mental health team – helping others as she has always hoped to do.
“I firmly believe the support I received from the involvement team and volunteer service has been essential to my recovery, and that it’s the reason I now have my dream job,” she said.
“I want to support people to live their best life, and now I can. Volunteering with the involvement team helped change my life for the better, and also helped me help others too.”
Life changing experience
Niki is now in a “really good place” with her mental health, and even her fibromyalgia feels better. She is delighted to be at the start of a new journey – and welcomes the challenge.
“When I was first admitted to hospital, I felt very written-off, no longer of use, on the scrap heap – but that’s just not the case. There are so many things you can do,” she said.
“Just because you’ve had problems with your mental health or have on-going struggles – it doesn’t have to define, control or be the end of you. I’m proof that a fresh start is possible.”
Inspirational story
Ann Bridges, executive director of corporate affairs and involvement at the Trust, said: “Nikki’s inspiring story shows the power of co-creation in supporting the wellbeing of people.
“By working together with staff, partners and patients, we can really help make a difference to people’s lives as part of their recovery, giving them the confidence to take that next step.
“Our involvement and volunteer teams do amazing work. They support people who have been involved in mental health services to have a voice, and make sure we learn from their experiences to make positive improvements – putting co-creation at the heart of all they do.
“We wish Nikki all the best in the future.”
Getting involved
Dawn Teeley, a senior administrator with the engagement team, played a key role in welcoming Niki into the Trust and encouraging her future ambitions.
“I have always appreciated the skills our volunteers have, and the work that they do,” she said. “They play a key role in what we do as a Trust.”
Huge project
Dawn first met Niki when the engagement team started updating the I&E members register after Covid – a task which requires checking in with more than 400 members.
“It is always a huge project and, due to delays caused by Covid, was even bigger this time,” said Dawn. “Having Niki onboard as an admin volunteer made an impossible task possible.
“It was immediately apparent that she was very skilled, qualified and professional and I could trust her to carry out the task independently in her own time and pace.”
Making a difference
Dawn and Niki worked together on the project for six months – with Niki moving on to a paid role outside the Trust following her volunteering stint.
“We were lucky to have her,” said Dawn.
“I didn’t know about Niki’s transition through the Trust before coming to us but was aware of the positive impact it can have for volunteers – the same as it does for involvement members and staff when we co-create work.
“Niki’s success since her time with us demonstrates the importance of our volunteer department – and that administrators can also make a difference.”
