Tom Davies
Project Coordinator
What is your role and day-to day activities at First Person Project?
In my role as project coordinator, I work across different areas of the service. I facilitate the men's groups, provide support at the regular drop-in sessions and I’m involved with various aspects of community outreach and engagement.
What connection/experience have you had with mental health?
I experienced a lot of problems with my mental health after the birth of my son and spent a good few years working through bouts of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. It’s my own experiences that fuel my passion for supporting others and working in the mental health space. Learning how to ask for help and who to ask played a huge part in my recovery and it was only through connecting with others that I was able to come back to myself and I believe wholeheartedly in the power of community.
What is your role and day-to day activities at First Person Project?
What connection/experience have you had with mental health?
If you had a day off to recharge your mental health, what would your ideal day look like? What activities would you enjoy?
I’d start the day with a strong coffee and a trip to the gym then jump on the settee for some tele or a good book. Life gets fast and learning how to rest and slow down has made a big difference to how I think and feel. I love to listen to music and get outside for walks, regardless of the weather, and a combination of all these things will keep my mental health ticking over quite nicely.
What's the most memorable piece of advice you've received regarding mental health, and how has it influenced your approach?
I make a conscious effort to live life at 80% and by that, I mean I keep an eye on what I do with my time and how much I take on. It’s not easy and I don’t always manage it. It takes a lot of self-reflection and strong boundaries but slowing down has made a huge difference to my mental health. Life will get busy and throw challenges at everyone. If I’m working at 80% then I can absorb those challenges and work through them but if I’m flying around, doing everything at 100% all the time, then there is no room for anything else and I’ll struggle to cope. It also means that I only have space for things that are important and meaningful which adds a lot to my quality of life.
What is your role and day-to day activities at First Person Project?
What connection/experience have you had with mental health?
What do you enjoy most about working for First Person Project?
It’s great to work across different projects and I really enjoy the variation that brings. My favourite thing is the people that we work with. I’ve met so many wonderful, inspiring people since starting with FPP and it’s a real privilege to work alongside them, to be able to support them when needed and just be able to watch people get stronger and make their own positive changes.
What positive attributes do you bring to the First Person Project team?
I’m very creative, I have good ideas for things that bring our community together and I’m proactive in bringing those ideas to life. I’m a good listener and make a really good cup of tea!
What is your role and day-to day activities at First Person Project?