Anam's Story: From Crisis to Confidence

How safe housing and mental health support helped Anam rebuild her life.”

“If you’d met me a year ago, you wouldn’t recognise the person I am today.”

After fleeing domestic abuse, Anam found herself homeless and unsure of what the future would hold. Referred to Lancashire Mind by the Wish Centre in Blackburn, she moved into Lancashire Mind accommodation in 2025 and began rebuilding her life.

If you’d met me a year ago, you wouldn’t recognise the person I am today. Back then, even leaving the house felt impossible. I’d book a taxi or ask my brothers to take me. Even walking to the shop at the end of my street was terrifying. I’d have someone stay on the phone with me the whole time just so I could make it there and back. I used to wait until it was dark to put the bins out because I didn’t want anyone to see me. That’s how small my world had become.

But things have changed so much since then.

"Meditation, prayer, and journaling have become a big part of my life too. These small habits have helped me feel more stable, more hopeful, and more like myself again."

With the support of Lancashire Mind, I’ve built a routine that keeps me grounded and helps me manage my anxiety and low mood. I volunteer at a soup kitchen twice a week, I go to the gym three times a week, and I keep my weekends for self‑care. Meditation, prayer, and journaling have become a big part of my life too. These small habits have helped me feel more stable, more hopeful, and more like myself again.

I’m working towards independent living now – a future where my daughter and I can have our own home, our own space, our own life. When I think about the person I was a year ago, I can see just how much my confidence and self‑esteem have grown.

I don’t need medication for my anxiety anymore, and I feel so much more comfortable around people. My family can see the difference in me. I have more contact with my daughter, and other services that used to be involved in my care have stepped back because they can see how well I’m doing.

I look forward to each day now, whether it’s volunteering, going to the gym or having my weekly session with Lancashire Mind. Having that space, that time, and that support has helped me turn my life around. I finally feel like my future can be something positive.

"When I tried to get clean on my own, nothing changed. I kept burying my head in the sand. But when I reached out and asked for help - when I let people in - that’s when everything started to shift. I’ve achieved more than I ever thought I could and I’m not done yet."