I am glad that I have met the Performance Ensemble, it has given me the chance to do something different and very exciting which I have never done before and given me the confidence to perform in front of so many people, which was a truly amazing experience, which I will never forget and enjoyed so much. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Just go for it.

In September 2018, I took part in a performance at the Queens Hotel Ball Room called Bus Ride. It was the first time I had done anything like that. It was a massive, scary challenge. But I did it. In front of 193 people – I told my story.

Last year Feel Good Factor took us on a bus trip to Whitby. There were 12 of us. I’d been to Whitley Bay, when I lived in Newcastle, but this was the first time I had been to Whitby. It was great going in a group – nice people to talk to – good company.

We got off the coach and walked around. I remember looking at a statue of two men on a bike. It was grey and quite dirty, and just as I reached out to touch it, it moved! I got such a shock. I thought it was a real statue.

Then we walked up the 98 steps to the church on the cliff. When we came back down, we had fish and chips in a cafe, and the owner gave me his card, because he had rooms to rent above the shop. It was a lovely idea, but if I had stayed overnight, how would I have got home? There were boat trips in the harbour, and I really wanted to go, but nobody else was bothered, and I didn’t want to go on my own.

I was shattered when I got home. I could hardly make myself a cup of tea. But then I kept thinking about that boat trip. Why had I not gone on my own? I should have more confidence. I decided – if I want to do something I’m going to go for it.

Since then I’ve moved on. I volunteer for Feel Good Factor, making home visits. Encouraging and motivating people who feel isolated and alone. Just like I used to feel. I get them to come to social groups. To meet new friends. It makes me happy to see them smile and I think it makes them happy to see me smile too.