Three Ceredigion residents have all benefited from the help of employment and volunteering support service Workways+ through an outreach programme run by the Cardigan-based mental health recovery centre, Kinora.

Kinora hosts a number of outreach programmes that helps support mental health recovery.

Workways+ has been part of one of these programmes to help people improve their lives through volunteering, training, work experience and employment opportunities.

Neville Morgan Thomas, Ed Goodliffe and Ian Townrow have all faced challenges in their lives.

Neville, aged 55 had a nervous breakdown that led to a suicide attempt. He has not been able to work for 20 years. Ed, aged 38, struggled with drug addiction for over 20 years. Ian, aged 56, is autistic and has suffered from severe depression.

Funded by Workways+ with support given from Wendy Fitzpatrick, Workways+ Mentor, both Ed and Neville successfully completed a ‘safe strimmer handling’ training course and are now qualified.

In addition, Workways+ helped Ed secure a paid job as a dishwasher in a local café, which he’s delighted with.

Neville said: “It’s been brilliant to be able to get a qualification, it has really made me feel more confident. Workways+ has been great.”

Ed added: “The social part of the course was great and getting the qualification is an achievement.

"Getting out in the fresh air and helping the community is something I really enjoy.

"I don’t think I could have done this without the support of Workways+.”

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