Wolverhampton man turns personal recovery into helping others

A man from Wolverhampton, Kevin Gardener, has found a new purpose in life by working as a support worker at the same mental health facility that once treated him. The 39-year-old was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2007 and received care in multiple hospitals before being admitted to Cygnet Health Care Sedgley House. Gardener was discharged in 2021 and joined the team as a support worker. Everton Kanyayi, the head of care at the facility, noticed Gardener's potential early on. He often helped with tasks typically done by the nursing staff, which showed his commitment and capability. Gardener expressed excitement about the opportunity to help others, saying he "would love to do" this work. In his role, Gardener provides care assistance, develops treatment plans, and administers medications to patients. Having faced his own struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in his teenage years, he feels uniquely qualified to connect with current service users. He understands the daily challenges they face and believes his experiences enable him to offer valuable support. Kanyayi highlighted Gardener's story as an inspiration for other patients. Many might feel hopeless during their crises, but Gardener's journey shows that recovery and return to work are possible. Kanyayi recalls meeting Gardener on his first day at Sedgley House and noted the remarkable changes he has made since then. He feels proud to be part of Gardener's recovery journey.