Case Studies

Linda Swanton - A Thankyou

To hear Linda’s story - hover your mouse over the image and press play (►).

The Counselling and Life Management (CALM) centre is based in Harlow and provides counselling and support to local women who are suffering some form of mental ill health or distress and who are unable to afford the costs of private sector services. The centre works closely with the local Women’s Aid, Victim Support, the Police, statutory services and other less obvious partner agencies such as local funeral directors.

The CALM centre received £3000 from the Roger and Jean Heath Charitable fund in 2006

Linda Swanton attended the CALM Centre when her life was devastated by Rheumatoid Arthritis. The condition weakened her so much that she was unable to work. Conventional medicine was unable to help her and over two years a cycle of depression set in. This led to her losing both her home and her children.

"You have given my life back"

In her own words, ‘the CALM centre was a life-saver’ they helped her to attend self management and self esteem courses that have turned her life around. She now has a new home and her family back. The experience was so positive that she is now volunteering for the centre and helping other women needing support.

Linda has also benefitted from The Harlow Self Build project. Run by the Community Self Build agency this project is doing something practical and innovative to fill the skills gap in Harlow. The charity enables men and women in housing need to come together to build their own homes.

During the build on the Ryecroft estate in Harlow, the self-builders, aged from 17-50, learned construction skills to build ten one-bedroom flats which they now live in on a reduced rent. Linda is one of the self-builders and now lives in the home that she helped to construct within the close knit community that has been formed by the project.

The Harlow Self Build project received £10,000 from the European Social Fund Key Fund to employ a support worker to recruit and support the self builders throughout the project.

Update: This video was filmed one year ago and Linda continues to go from strength to strength. She will be providing us with further updates on her progress, which will be detailed on this website.