“Framework had just started a new service and someone gave me a contact number. It was the moment that saved my life.”

For the first time in years I feel that I have a future. I have a job I enjoy, my own flat and I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren.

But seven years ago I had retreated into my home, closed the curtains and was waiting to die. The doctor had said I had only six months to live if I didn’t stop drinking.

And I know that I wouldn’t be here now if it hadn’t been for the help I received from Framework.

I was probably at my very worst when I found out about Framework. It was at a time when I had suffered a complete breakdown and was just stumbling around. I had lost my job, my family and friends and my health was suffering. My body was dehydrated, I wasn’t eating and I weighed about six and a half stones.

My breathing and bones had become affected, I was having hallucinations and I’d had a couple of psychotic episodes.

Framework had just started a new service in Bassetlaw and someone gave me a contact number for them. It was the moment that saved my life.

It was a difficult phone call for me to make but they were so nice to me. They came to the house to interview me, which I found hard. I hadn’t been opening the curtains as I didn’t want to know about the outside world, but I really wanted to straighten myself out for the sake of my two boys.

Maggie, my support worker, was perfect for me and became like a second mother. She helped me deal with my unpaid bills and stabilise my home life.

I had gone from being a wife and mum with a full time job and owning my own home to living alone, hiding from the world, depressed and drinking but she took me out shopping again and to have a haircut. I hated it at first, but gradually got used to it. After a while she started giving me a bit of space when we were out although when I looked round she was always in sight.

What Maggie did for me seemed to work. She made me feel worthwhile again, supporting me for more than two years until I had regained my independence.

By then I’d done a refresher IT course and I had joined a lot of groups. I was asked if I wanted to do mental health training with Framework and then the team leader asked if I would like to do voluntary work in the office.

I did voluntary work for nearly four years and then I was offered a part time, paid job doing admin work for Framework’s specialist legal advice team.

It is wonderful to be part of a team helping others and I was so thrilled when I got my first wage packet.

I have recently started driving again and enjoy time with my children and grandchildren now. Thanks to Framework I feel that I am someone worthwhile again.