HUMPHREY GREAVES COACHING PRACTICE tel 02088584492
I, unlike many Coaches, I walk the talk. I know that recovery is
often possible because I have been there. I am an experienced Coach,
I have not just read a book or done a course. Could I empower you?
I
have worked with The University of Greenwich and the London South
Bank University
I am a Life Coach and Mentor who is available to
help survivors of mental illness who want to start to turn their life
around. It should be noted that this is not a cure but a reaching out
for a better quality of life. I also mentor and facilitate tutorials
for student mental health nurses, from a survivors perspective.
Why Put Your Dreams on Hold? In our fourth article
on common conditions, we talk to Humphrey Greaves who suffered from
depression for many years. By taking a positive attitude, he has
found a new career as a life coach and is now working to help other
people build their self esteem and move their lives forward. (
This article is from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust's Oxleas Exchange
Newspaper July 2007)
Humphrey's life has been a battle against
mental illness. While studying for a law degree in 1981, he was
diagnosed with schizophrenia. Though he recovered enough to work, his
job as clerical assistant was not what he had hoped for. In 1988 he
became ill again. "I gradually became more and more depressed. I
couldn't see the point of life and felt tired all the time.
Eventually I attempted suicide" Prescribed a mixture of
anti-psychotic and anti-depressant drugs, Humphrey was able to
continue working, though he still lacked the direction he needed in
his life. The turning point came when he became a project worker with
the National Schizophrenic Fellowship, running a drop-in centre. "Up
until then I had always tried to be perfect and always failing. My
boss told me that it's okay to mess up sometimes. I found this really
helpful; it gave me a sense of freedom and allowed me to move
forward. I'd heard this sales phrase, 'why put your dreams on hold?'
and decided to apply it to my own life, and this has remained my
motto."
In 1997 he moved from Milton Keynes to
Greenwich. He continued to work in mental health services, getting a
job with the Shaw Trust, a charity that provides training and work
opportunities for disadvantaged and disabled people. Humphrey left
this job when he became ill with depression, and started using Oxleas
services. He joined a group called Community Focus run by
Opportunities at 821 Woolwich Road. Staff helped and encouraged him
to set up groups where he developed and practiced life coaching
skills. "I realised that this was what I wanted to do as a
career and that I needed to study for formal qualifications. In 2000
I qualified as a neuro-linguistic programmer and in 2004 as a life
coach. These are all about helping people to develop the confidence
and motivation they need to move their lives forward"
For the
last four and a half years, Humphrey has run a six week course at 821
Woolwich Road called 'Building a compelling future'.
"It is very fulfilling to help people who are often very
depressed. To build their self-esteem, become more assertive and
establish goals."
In April this year Humphrey got a part-time
job as black and minority ethnic (BME) user development worker with
Mind, a mental health charity. "I am busy developing BME
services, helping to run groups, liaising with local professionals
and getting involved in community advocacy. I'm also planning to
build up my practice as a life coach." Humphrey believes that
people can progress when they have the right support and are ready to
move forward. "I think the key to mental illness is self-esteem.
Build that up, and everything else follows."
Contact
Humphrey Greaves Coaching Practice Tel 02088584492 Start Building
A Compelling Future!
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