I’m a singer, DJ and passionate gardener, and I work with United Response by supporting the new staff interview process, designing questions to find out if people are enthusiastic about what’s important to me. I’m in a band and write my own songs, which is a talent/calling I get from my dad.

Over the last year I’ve found all of this tested by having to spend time in and out of hospital with some serious illnesses.

In August 2024 I went into hospital after experiencing severe and unexplained vomiting and had breathing issues. They thought it was something to do with digestion and I went home but it kept happening. I went a couple of times, and my support worker came with me, and once I was admitted they found it was heart failure.

I was unhappy in hospital because I didn’t like the food and there wasn’t much to do. I also felt like I wasn’t being listened to. I was given my medication at different times than I’m used to, even though my team informed the nurses when I should be given them, and the hospital staff used their bare hands to give tablets, which my support staff would never do. People were friendly and nice, but I wanted to have things done the way I wanted.

I’m such an active person, and love to be out keeping busy, playing gigs or seeing friends at the pub, and so this time spent in hospital was difficult. But now I’m making positive choices to stay healthier and make sure I’m taking care of myself.

I’m eating a much healthier diet, in particular avoiding too much salt. When I’m shopping, I use the traffic light system on food packets to know if something should be avoided. I’m also managing my fluid intake following guidance from the hospital.

My United Response team are really important for this too. They’re like family to me, it’s a super good team just like Liverpool who are the best team in the Premier League. When you’re going through challenges it’s great to know you have people who are there to support you, and that’s what I’ve got.

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