Ian is Vicar of Christ Church, Sandfields and (from 1st July) St James, Uplands in Central Swansea. His experience of mental health issues comes from having two family members with ongoing mental health challenges; city centre ministry, and previously a 15 year career in the voluntary sector working alongside disabled people and social services in various guises. Ian leads the project team.
I’m Sue. Wife, mother, mad cat lady, database administrator, trainee priest. I’m a
Town Councillor, a Mental Health Champion for Time to Change Wales, and a member trustee for Adferiad Recovery. I have set up a Mental Health peer support
group in my workplace.
I’ve had anxiety all my life, and it has led to self-harm, clinical depression and a suicide attempt. I was diagnosed with dyspraxia and ADHD in 2021.
When I’m well my faith is what drives me forward. When I’m not feeling my best it encourages me to look after myself. I try to love myself as I love my neighbour.
TBH, when I’m really unwell it isn’t much practical help as I just feel even more unworthy. That’s when the support of my fellow Christians is really important in
reminding me just how loved I am, just as I was made.
I hope that Call to Mind will help us to find and give the support we all need from time
to time, and let us acknowledge and give thanks for how fearfully and wonderfully made we truly are.
I originally trained as a Mental Health Nurse, and later as a General Nurse, working in the NHS for over thirty years. I was Mental Health Chaplain for Llandaff Diocese for three years, before I started training at St Padarn’s Institute, for ministry in the Church in Wales. I was ordained deacon in June 2021, and serve in Central Swansea Ministry Area.
I believe that we are all created in the image of God - body, mind, and spirit. Like many people, I have experienced anxiety and depression, but I know that God loves us just as we are. I am excited to see how God will use Call to Mind.
Copyright © 2021 Call to Mind - All Rights Reserved.