Jade Renton arrived in Glasgow with nothing but her clothes and her dog at her lowest — while Marrianne Shaw once struggled to say her own name without crying — but both women are now rebuilding their lives thanks to a Glasgow charity.
Marrianne and Jade have been volunteering with — and receiving support from — Healing for the Heart for over five years and one month, respectively. Healing for the Heart, which was set up in 2018, is a mental health and wellbeing charity that aims to transform lives through counselling and improving people’s resilience.
Over a month ago, Jade said she called Donna and broke down.
Struggling with her mental health and addiction, she left Fife, where she had been living, and moved to Glasgow. Through working with the charity and receiving support, she is now over 40 days clean.
She said: "I have been made to feel like I am not alone. I have gained confidence, and I have goals now. I have made friends, and I am the best version of myself.
"My mental health has improved, and I now look forward to the day."
Meanwhile, Marrianne said she has gone from experiencing suicidal idealisation to having what she calls a bright life.
She added: "I came to Glasgow after a divorce. I was isolated, depressed and had anxiety. I experienced addiction issues for 30 years and had no self-esteem. Someone would ask me what my name was, and I would just cry. My nervous system was shot. I didn’t even know what a nervous system was; it was Donna who taught me.
"I am no longer suicidal. I smile all the time, and I have so much confidence. I have self-care days, and life is bright."
The two shared their stories at the opening of a new health and wellbeing hub run by the charity at the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre, which opened on June 24.
The hub will offer a two-hour group session every Thursday, including employability sessions, programmes for young women focused on resilience, self-care and improving mental health, as well as activities centred on creativity and reflection.
Donna Ross, community development co-ordinator, stressed the importance of the new hub for residents and said it is a safe space to talk and seek support.
She added: "This hub is important for the community in terms of reducing isolation and helping people with mental health and addiction issues."
As a Scotstoun resident herself, Donna felt it was important to support her local area.
Healing for the Heart has been running sessions at the community centre since November, where it has held consultations with locals and group activities including crafts, outdoor meditation, self-care awareness and aromatherapy.
Donna said the work carried out so far is already making a significant difference to people in the area.
Friday's opening also featured a performance from a local folk band, while the charity ran taster sessions inside the community centre.
There were also a number of pop-up stalls offering information from local organisations, including Hope Connections, North West Recovery Communities, Scotstoun Community Council and Glasgow Eco Trust.
For more information, visit https://healingfortheheart.co.uk/
Alternatively, call 0141 406 1320.
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