Meet Alice!
Alice, 19, was one of the first youngsters to join us at The Nest.
We did a Q&A with Alice on her background and her time at The Nest so far…
Why did you come to the nest?
I was at a point in my life where I didn’t think I was going to get better. My mental health controlled my whole life and I wasn’t leaving my house. Then Hannah came into my life. She told me about The Nest and to begin with I said no as my anxiety was too bad. Hannah however refused to give up on me, she saw a future for me when I couldn’t see one for myself. Slowly but surely, she gave me the motivation to go to The Nest. The first time I went and looked around the farm was the first time I had left my house in over a year, and within 10 minutes of being there, I saw a future for myself for the first time in over 4 years. I went to The Nest because I was at rock bottom and needed support. I stayed at The Nest because it’s the best thing to have ever happened to me.
What is your favourite thing about The Nest?
The people. To be in a room where for the first time you don’t feel singled out because of what you’ve been through and where you can be completely and utterly yourself is rare. I found it at The Nest. It truly feels like a family at this point. We all know each other so well and have grown so close. Everyone came to The Nest on their first day shy and a bit unsure but left laughing and with a room full of new best friends. Being the eldest, I’ve made sure to look out for each of them. Getting to watch them grow, heal and prove to themselves just how strong they are has been truly incredible. I’m beyond proud of all of them and even if just one of them asks me for advice it makes everything I’ve been through have a purpose and that it wasn’t all for nothing because it meant I could be there for them. Hannah and the wonderful volunteers are what make The Nest what it is today. They don’t give up on any of us and put their whole heart into making The Nest a safe and secure space for everyone. I’m so incredibly grateful for each of them. Thank you for believing in all of us when we couldn’t always believe in ourselves.
In what ways has The Nest supported and helped you?
The Nest saved my life. It has been a constant beacon of light. It has always allowed me to be myself and in doing so it helped me find who I am. I spent a very long time not believing that anyone could help me but seeing how Hannah refused to give up on me, I knew that The Nest was what I had been needing this whole time. It has helped me in so many ways. Always being someone to talk to and go to for advice whilst knowing that you can talk about anything and would never be judged has made a huge difference. Believing in me and seeing me as someone they want showing new people around, talking to visitors or helping at events and fundraisers has truly made everything I’ve been through worth it for me.
What is next for your journey?
I first came to The Nest at the end of May and since then I haven’t looked back. I’ve been able to do so many things I didn’t think I’d live long enough to do. The Nest has opened so many doors for me and given me endless possibilities of what I could do with my life. Learning to drive, dating, having the best 19th birthday ever and going to so many new places are just a few of the things I’ve been able to do this year. The Nest gave me back my future, one that I’m genuinely excited for! I always want to be part of this charity and I’m very proud to become a volunteer for The Nest next term. I will always help in any way I can because if there is one thing I know for certain is that this charity is going to save so many lives. I don’t know entirely what my journey holds but I’ve never wanted to only do one thing. I’d love to go traveling, pick up some new hobbies, meet new people, maybe write a book. Who knows haha! But one thing I will always strive to achieve is to make a difference.