Case study
Golden Key Peer Mentoring has helped Ian
Gaskin to share his experience and support
others.
When I found Golden Key Peer Mentoring, I was at a point where I wanted to give something
back and to give hope to someone who needed it. I felt it was important to be able to share my
experience - I’d been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. When I met people at the service I felt
a sense of togetherness and could see hope in people’s eyes. It’s been amazing to see people
whose life had been in difficulty a few years ago, but are now bubbling with life. No one is more
important than anyone else – no judgement, just friendliness and a feeling of being in it
together.
I was a person who always blamed my past. Sometimes I’d be angry, not at people but at
myself, and thought life owed me something. That’s now changed. Since I’ve done the peer
mentor training I’ve been able to let things from the past go with the insight I’ve gained. Being a
peer mentor means that you’ve got responsibilities. It’s hard work, but hard work means that it’s
rewarding which makes it all worthwhile.
I’ve also learnt that what’s really important about looking after your mental health is talking to
others and engaging with them. When you sit on your own you can become isolated, so
communicating with others can take you out of that mindset. To me, good mental health is all
about communicating. Peer mentors can help in this area. What’s more, if you’ve been through
something, and you use that experience to help someone, then it comes across as truthful.
Society needs more of this.
I’ve come from a place where I don’t think many would have survived, and now my goal in life is
to help other people. If I can do that, my job is done. Golden Key has given me strength, hope,
understanding, and a new direction. I’m now a peer mentor, and I’d like to be a support worker
in the future. Without Golden Key I wouldn’t have got the chance .
www.bristolmentalhealth.org
To find out more about Golden Key Peer Mentoring, based with DHI (@DHIBristol), call 0117 916
6551 or email [email protected].
Golden Key is a citywide partnership, inspiring change in Bristol. Funded by the Big Lottery, and
led by mental health charity Second Step, the eight year, £10 million year programme will open
doors and unlock services, creating new futures for those with the most complex needs.
www.goldenkeybristol.com @goldkeybristol
www.bristolmentalhealth.org