A man whose life was "spiralling out of control" after years of addiction and mental health struggles is now giving back to those who helped when he needed it the most.
Darren Bailey, 37, spent 15 years suffering with his mental health and with a lack of support, fell into addiction which left him "with literally nothing". Having lost his then-partner, his house, job and time with his children, Darren found himself in prison as he was "spiralling".
The 37-year-old said while in prison "something led him to the chapel" where he met staff member PJ Smith talking about recovery, which is where his life "changed forever". He told the ECHO : "It was the first time I connected to someone, I was always on the outside of everything.
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"People used to say have one drink, but that wasn't me. I sat down and listened and my life completely changed just through having that knowledge. It took a long time to be diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and depression and psychosis but now I'm on the right medication and have control over my life."
Darren, who has since got his own place in Wavertree, said he reached out to Damien John Kelly House (DJK) which has helped him to "do amazing things" such as a skydive, a marathon and riding a bike from Liverpool to Hull. He added that without the help from DJK, more men would be suffering from addiction.
He has also been supported by the New Beginnings Improving Lives (NBIL) charity after meeting Michelle Roache, and has since seen a vast improvement with his mental health. Darren, who has been sober since July 2019, added: "I now do voluntary work on a Friday. My life was spiralling beyond my control and the more I was getting sent away from the doctor, the more I was drinking and one wasn't connecting with the other.
"There's only so much they can do. Mental health is better than it was 20 years ago, then it was taboo but often it takes too long to get a diagnosis and it's hard. In prison, I was fed up."
Now, Darren wants to give something back to the two causes that helped him turn his life around. After setting off from Land's End on March 1, he will be walking back to Liverpool, aiming to arrive back to the Albert Dock on March 27. He hopes to raise £15,000 to be split between the two causes close to his heart.
Aiming to also raise awareness of the work the charity does, he said he want to help as many people as possible, adding: "If you're worried about drinking or anything, reach out. Go to a meeting, speak to someone. If you're worried about your mental health, speak to your doctor, speak to a professional. Until you do, your life will stay the same, it will keep spiralling and never get better."
More information about the fundraiser, and to donate, can be found by clicking here.
