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Interview with campaign supporter Jade Kersalls

Blog, News | No Comments 16th February 2012

Jade Kersalls has first-hand experience of the challenges that mental health stigma can present. Driven by her passion and determination, Jade has been instrumental in the success of  the ‘Sticks and Stones’  campaign and has recently won an award for her achievements supporting this crucial National initiative.

Jade, who has a personality disorder and is supported by ILA, part of the Lifeways Group in Merseyside, says; “A few years ago, life was very difficult. I’d had a number of placements which weren’t right for me and all the normal things that people take for granted, such as going to the shops, I couldn’t do – and I always blamed myself whenever things went wrong.”

In 2007 Jade got involved with the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust ‘Service User and Carer Involvement Scheme’. In 2010 she became a key member of the Trust’s ‘Sticks and Stones’ campaign volunteer group, helping to challenge mental health and learning disability-related stigma. Since then Jade has been using her own experiences to make a positive difference to others with mental health needs.

“I still feel that there are a lot negative perceptions and derogatory language where mental health is concerned, and that is what the work of the  ‘Sticks and Stones’ campaign aims to tackle.” Jade explains.

Jade has been involved in a number of key projects, including delivering presentations in women’s refuges and prisons across the region.

She says: “Our aim is to invite employers to sign  the campaign petition on behalf of their workforce and become a corporate  partner  of the campaign – demonstrating their commitment to promoting an understanding of mental health within their company culture.”

Jade recently won a Warrington Disability Partnership ‘Appreciation of Effort ‘ award in recognition of her commitment to her work on this campaign.

Dave Thompson MBE, Chair of The Warrington Disability Partnership says: “I  have had the pleasure of working with Jade in my capacity as Assistant Director of Inclusion and Partnerships at the Trust. In terms of her skills and confidence, Jade is unrecognisable from when we first met her. She was nominated for the Appreciation of Effort award in recognition of all the fantastic work that she’s done in promoting the campaign and helping to sign up organisations such as  the Environment Agency and  Everton in the Community, as well as promoting awareness of personality disorders.”

“Together with my fellow judges we were extremely impressed by Jade’s determination and passion for implementation and social change.” Dave adds.

Jade reflects back: “I’ve really enjoyed all this work and am really proud of my achievements. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my involvement in this group, as well as the support of ILA staff and my social work team, who have believed in me all the way. The only difference is that now, I also believe in myself!’

(This interview has been reproduced with kind permission of our Corporate Partner Lifeways www.lifeways.co.uk)

Photo – Jade (centre) with Karen Jones (right) and Samantha Brennan (left). Both ILA and Natural Networks have signed up to the Stamp Out Stigma Campaign.

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