A woman who is now working at the NHS trust that helped save her life says she hopes to show patients “there is a future beyond hospital”.
Holly Hawken said she would “always be indebted” to those who helped her, as a 14-year-old, when she was diagnosed with an eating disorder.
She now works at the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester, also run by the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).
“They saved my life and I carry those memories with me,” the 28-year-old said.
She went into the care of the Children’s and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), run by EPUT, and was diagnosed with anorexia and later borderline personality disorder.
She marked her 15th birthday in hospital.
Hawken works on Larkwood ward, which supports young people with very serious, complex and urgent mental health needs.
“By being here, I can show them that there is a future beyond hospital, that they can survive this and go on to live full lives,” she said.
Her role involves helping inpatients to return to education, participate in activities and build their confidence for the future.
Hawken described life on the wards as “busy and emotional”, but one that was worth working in.
She added: “Seeing young people improve, even in small ways, makes everything worth it.
“Watching someone get well enough for discharge and start building a life for themselves makes any bad day feel tiny.
“I’ve worked towards this for over 10 years, both professionally and personally, and I feel incredibly lucky to be here.”
Update 8 May: A previous version of this article reported that Holly Hawken was cared for at the St Aubyn Centre. EPUT has since clarified that she was cared for by the trust, but not at the centre, and the article has been amended.
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