In Mental Health Awareness Week– a woman rescued from homelessness tells us how the trauma of horrific sexual abuse has led to her running her own therapeutic art group.
Shannon, 32, from Dorset, has been a resident at Hope for four years.
Shannon said: “When I was a young teenager somebody I trusted traded me to men for sex.
“It’s something I took years to even talk about, but it has left me with many mental and physical scars.
“Over the years since then, I have had many destructive relationships, and in some cases I returned again and again to those who abused me. I have also had and lost three children, two into care and one who lives with his father. I was caught in a spiral. Then, four years ago, when my then partner left, I had no way of paying for the rent myself. I found myself homeless and came to Hope and it was a massive turning point in my life.”
Shannon continued: “I found people at Hope who would listen, and one day I started to tell one of my support workers about what had happened to me as a child, and the words just spilled out of me and wouldn’t stop.
“I’m told I am one of the kindest people you could meet, but abuse is all I have ever known, and it has taken a lot to see that what has happened to me is horrible and wrong.
“I still have periods where I am extremely low and even have suicidal thoughts. But I have had counselling, and I also started to do art here.
“I have always loved art and feel calm when I am painting and drawing. So, when the lady who ran the group left, I asked if I could carry it on and now, I supervise the class.
Mental Health Awareness Week began in 2001 and focuses on bringing people together to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health. This year’s event has the theme of Community.
“That’s how I like to look at the art class,” said Shannon “it’s about providing community - a safe place for people to feel calm and sort through the stresses they are feeling. It’s a positive and enjoyable way to improve our mental health and I want to attract even more Hope residents to get involved.”
For more information about Hope Housing, head to our website.
Shannon enjoying her art