A year-long journey of personal growth

On the flight to Manchester by myself last spring, I was on my lonely life journey in great uncertainty, not knowing whether I could live here sustainably. In the first couple of months, I always felt unsettled and isolated as I was always doing things alone, managing to move in a new living place, exploring unfamiliar places in the city, seeing numerous unfamiliar faces on the streets, and surrounded by a foreign language. Living became more challenging with less sunlight and the coldness of autumn. I stayed indoors for a long time, feeling bored, always in low mood and unmotivated. Sometimes, I just lay on my bed all day which resulted in messing up my sleeping pattern at night. Life seemed not real to me whenever I woke up with confusion of what the time was and where I was.

I was aware that I needed a change. I joined a community running club to get some physical activity and to socialise within my local community. However, I did not enjoy jogging in cold weather at all (my body felt cold below 16°C 😊)!

Fortunately, I recalled my favourite outdoor activity is walking in green spaces, in touch with nature. Whenever I was stressed with racing thoughts, upset, or exhausted, my neighbourhood wood at the hillock nearby the river was always my safe heaven. I found my inner peace in the natural environment, observing plants, insects, or little animals and seeing the life cycle of nature going round and round alongside the four seasons. With this idea in mind, I searched online and found Manchester Mind providing gardening sessions to support those people at risk of mental health problems.

Although I was not sure of my eligibility, I gave it a try. Manchester Mind did offer me a place. I was so happy to be in touch with nature again even though it was in cold weather. In addition, I could contribute a bit in the allotment. More importantly, Carolyn and the volunteers there were kind enough to listen to me when I told them my homesickness, worries and frustration. That was one of the few opportunities I could talk with someone in a week. I felt being supported with their feedback and assurance.

After six sessions in the allotment, I was invited to start volunteering there. It was a great news to me. I could continue enjoying my time there. That really helped my mental health. More importantly, the team of allotment volunteers made me feel accepted and belonging in the group. We did the work together, chatted and laughed during rest time, and kept on our kind conversations in the WhatsApp group. The connection with the others was an extra bonus in volunteering for me. That boosted my confidence to live in this unfamiliar country.

Apart from volunteering in the allotment, I am volunteering in a peer support group, too. Thank you to Carolyn’s encouragement, I applied for it. Starting in March, I became a volunteer in the peer support group. Without experience, I took up a shadowing role to observe how the volunteers facilitated the session and how the conversations unfolded. Group members from all walks of life come together to share their stories and experiences in this safe space, where we filled up time with listening ears and supportive feedback. Occasionally, I got my check-in time too.

Once I shared my story of relocating to Manchester. Alongside my narrative, my tears started rolling down on my face. I gave a metaphor of my life of being as a living plant being cut off from its roots in soil, and then the plant stem being placed in a jar of water. The plant stood from the jar lifelessly at the beginning. After a couple of weeks, some tiny roots came out from nodes eventually. I empathised with myself struggling during this transition period. After connecting with Manchester Mind’s community of people, I regained my confidence gradually. I now believed I could settle down here in Manchester sooner rather than later, because of so much kind support backing me up. After all that, I needed to say I am also a beneficiary in this group.

Having my life replenished with hopes for a better future, I was given an opportunity to contribute to Manchester Mind in a different role. After applying for a post in the charity and going through a friendly interview with the line managers, I was offered with a part-time job as an administrator. Originally, I aimed for an additional opportunity to familiarise myself with the job interview style in the UK and to practise interview skills. I could not believe I got such a good luck in life. I was so glad of being valued, with having personal qualities that match with the work requirements, regardless of language barrier.

I have started my new chapter in Manchester Mind as a staff member since the end of August and I am confident to take up new challenges ahead. This is my amazing journey in Manchester Mind in a year. My journey here is still evolving!

Find out more about our gardening sessions and peer support groups.