‘A quick chat and a cup of tea changed everything’

Before she began volunteering at Northwood Together Big Local, three family bereavements had impacted Vicky’s mental health and she was finding it hard to get out of bed. Then an opportunity to support her community helped to improve her wellbeing – and paved the way for her to get a job working with children.

Vicky’s story

Around three years ago, I was in a bad way. I used to drop the kids off at school, come home, get back into bed and cry myself to sleep. I’d stay there all day. I had an alarm on my phone which went off when it was time to pick the kids up again.

We’d had three deaths in our family close together. I took it hard and went into a downward spiral. At the same time, my mum was unwell. It was all getting on top of me. I wouldn’t speak to anyone and I didn’t have any friends. Apart from the school run, I never left the house.

One day, on my way back from school, one of my aunt’s friends, Debi O’Shea, saw me and called out. Maybe she could see from my face that something was wrong. Debi’s the chair of Northwood Together Big Local.

At that point, Northwood Together was based in the community centre that I walked by every day to get to school. Debi asked me what I was doing, and I told her I was going home. She said, ‘no you’re not, come in and have a cup of tea.’

I wasn’t keen, but thought I’d get it done quickly and go home again. I ended up staying and talking to the volunteers until it was time to pick the kids up from school.

Once I started getting involved with Northwood Together, everyone said my confidence soared. At first it was scary, but the volunteers kept encouraging me to come back.”

Building confidence

Going into Northwood Together that day made me feel a bit better about myself. Having a chat and seeing people coming in and asking for help, it just spurred me on. I went back the next day and the day after that.

Once I started getting involved with Northwood Together, everyone said my confidence soared. At first it was scary, but the volunteers kept encouraging me to come back. I was doing things; I was leaving the house. Debi persuaded me to speak to a doctor and I got diagnosed with depression and anxiety and put on medication.

Painting activities at the Northwood Easter event, with Vicky helping a young community member with her art. Photos: Local Trust/Matt Thomas.

The first thing I supported the volunteers with was the pop-up boutique. This is where people needing clothes could come in and pick up donations. There was a chalkboard sign to advertise it and I decorated it.

They realised I was crafty and from then on, they got me involved with things like setting up crafts when an event was running and leading the craft activities with local children.

Tackling food poverty and supporting others

Before I started volunteering, I had no idea that food poverty was a problem in the area. I started getting involved with the food drop-ins, which provide people with food, no questions asked. It was such a shock to find out how bad it was.

I was still struggling with my confidence, so at first I’d tend to stay at the back when people came in and let others do the talking. But over time, I started speaking to people. I’d explain what we did and ask if they needed help with anything else. My confidence began to build.

Northwood Together also started a programme called Shape Shifters, which encourages healthy eating habits and weight loss. I was part of a group, and we were given a gym pass for six months and worked with a nutritionist.

There were talks about mental health, mindset and food preparation. I lost weight and felt healthier. The next year, I got asked to be team leader, supporting other people through the programme, which I did for two years.

I saw so many people start the first day on the programme and they’d be quiet and not speak to anyone. We always made it fun and would have a giggle together and a cry if we needed it.

By the end, they’d be going out and socialising with each other with their confidence sky high. People’s mental health and overall wellbeing really improved.

About two years ago, I started getting involved with the partnership team of residents that oversee the Big Local, I’m now a non-voting board member. I can’t vote because my aunt is the vice-chair, but I can still have my say.

We get together once a month and discuss what we’ve been doing, what else we need to do for the community and how we’re going to make it happen.

Lisa Cover (right), Community Development Manager, and partnership member Vicky Williamson (centre), help the Easter bunny give out chocolate eggs to children at an Easter event at Northwood Together Big Local. Photo: Local Trust/Matt Thomas

Giving back to the community

Since I was at school, I’d always wanted to work with children, but I’d been busy bringing up my own children and helping my mum.

As I grew in confidence, Lisa, the community development manager, picked up on how I wanted to work with children and began looking at courses for me.

Lisa found a course to become a teaching assistant, but I didn’t feel ready. Then, last year, my husband needed lifesaving surgery and I decided that if there were things I wanted to do, I should do them now. With Lisa’s push, I applied for the course and got in.

One of the other volunteers, Maxine, helped support me by doing the course with me, even though she had a lot going on herself. She became a good friend.

We started in February 2023, and it involved lots of written work and a placement in a school. I completed the course in June last year and the week before I finished, I applied for a teaching assistant job at a local school. I got an interview, and they offered me the job an hour later!

I’m loving it. The kids are fabulous and the other staff are amazing. I take some children for phonics and it’s so rewarding to see their progress, even in a short amount of time. Taking the course and getting this job are the best things to have ever happened to me and it’s all down to the people of Northwood Together.

It has been brilliant to see Vicky involved with Northwood Together. It has brought her out of her shell. I am so proud of what she has done. Working as a teaching assistant is what she has always wanted to do.”

Kathy Birchall, Vicky’s mum

Now that I’m working full time, I can’t volunteer in the week, but I still help out at weekend events and attend board meetings.

A lot of people in Northwood have been through so much. Northwood Together has made a big difference, particularly with food poverty. It’s given so much back to the community. For me personally, it’s been the support of Lisa, Debi, Maxine and the others that’s made a huge impact on my life.

I would like to say a big thank you to them for believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. A quick chat and a cup of tea changed everything.

Interview by Elspeth Massey.

Top photo: Partnership member Vicky Williamson outside the Northwood Together office. Photo: Local Trust/Matt Thomas

Read more about how Northwood Together Big Local has built innovative partnerships with organisations to support local people in a community facing severe food poverty.

Want to explore more on improving mental health and wellbeing in your community? Find out how Central Jarrow Big Local set up a community counselling service. And listen to Rebecca and Reece from Ewanrigg Big Local talk about their work around mental health and young people, in a recent episode of the community power podcast.