19. Andy McInnes - Bench Talk with Jo Hilditch

Today I am talking to Andy who is a volunteer with the Hereford Wildlife Trust.  Born and bred in Herefordshire and although spent a few years away at university, he has always lived here.  Andy talks about suffering from mental health problems over the years and other challenges that presented themselves.  Just two years ago his lovely wife Helen died and left Andy with two sons and anxiety. Although his sons’ school had a collection for him and many were really helpful his anxiety did not improve. Following taking some medication and having some counselling Andy started volunteering and joined The Building Better Opportunities programme.  Listen to our chat about how his mental health improved, how the stigma of admitting to mental health problems for men is often part of the problem and how he is now feeling more positive and more self-confident. (Subsequent to our interview Andy has now been appointed in a job for the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and “he’s getting there”.)

Although the photo shows Andy and me sitting on a bench in Queenswood, I have admit to it pouring with rain at that time so we went inside the offices to do the chat!

References: 

HVOSS - HVOSS

Queenswood - Queenswood Country Park & Bodenham Lake - Herefordshire, UK (queenswoodandbodenhamlake.org)

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust - Home | Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (herefordshirewt.org)

Orchard Origins - Orchard Origins | Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (herefordshirewt.org)

Building Better Opportunities - Landau - Landau | Supported Employment & Education Charity | Helping You To Get Into Work or Training

Herefordshire Marches Counselling - Marches Counselling Service |

Visit Herefordshire - Visit Herefordshire | Feel a World Away | Official Tourism Site

Great Doward – Symonds Yat

Golden Valley – The Golden Valley | Visit Herefordshire

River Lugg walking and pubs – The Swan (20+) The Swan Inn | Facebook

or the Cop at Tupsley Home | Cock of Tupsley in Hereford | Pub and Restaurant | Two for One (cockoftupsleypub.co.uk)