Ex-patient inspires with job in mental health team

A former mental health patient who was offered a job at the same hospital that treated him, says the opportunity has "changed his life".

Kevin Gardener, 39, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2007 and spent time in numerous mental health hospitals before he was admitted to Cygnet Health Care Sedgley House in Wolverhampton.

Everton Kanyayi, head of care at the house, said the team quickly noticed he would make a good support worker, as he often "chipped in" with jobs that would usually be done by the nursing team.

Mr Gardener was excited as soon as the idea was mentioned to him and said he knew it was something he "would love to do".

The 39-year-old from Wolverhampton was discharged in 2021 and has been helping other men with their mental health problems ever since.

He provides care assistance, including developing treatment plans as well as administering medications, to the care provider's patients and said he was pleased to give back to the service.

Mr Gardener also experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression during his teenage years and explained how his time as a patient had given him the best skills to be able to help current service users.

"I know what it's like on a day-to-day basis; some days can be quite hard and can be a struggle.

"I've got that rapport with service users that some staff might not have."

Mr Kanyayi said having Mr Gardener as part of the team had helped to inspire other patients.

"Some of them may not believe that they'll be able to come out and go back to work during this period of crisis, but we can use Kev as an example to the other guys that it's actually possible to continue achieving things."

He met Mr Gardener on the first day he was admitted and said: "He was totally different from what he is today."

Mr Kanyayi added that the progress Mr Gardener had made was rare.

"Going from a service user to a support worker, it's inspiring and a magnificent journey.

"I'm so happy to have worked with Kev, and we are really proud that we were part of his journey and recovery."

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