Steph Flanigan – Meet the Physical Health and Wellbeing Team

My name is Steph and I live with Paranoid Schizophrenia and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder.  I spent many years in and out of hospital, often detained under the Mental Health Act.  I was heavily identified by my mental health patient persona. All I knew was being in hospital.

Things turned around however when I was introduced to physical activity.  I started attending a gym supported by a member of staff and took up running.  It has always been a dream of mine to run the London Marathon.  I have taken part in a couple of other marathons and other events including the Great North Run.

Physical Activity opened up a whole new world for me.  It grew my confidence and I have done things I would have never felt possible.  I started volunteering and gained my GP Referral Personal Trainer qualifications as well as becoming a Boxercise Instructor.  As I continued to develop, I left volunteering to become employed as a Peer Support Worker and have worked within the NHS for about 6 years.  I have just completed a degree with Open University and have been out of hospital for about 10 years!

I do not know where I would be today without physical activity.  It now plays an important part in my recovery journey.