Charlotte lost all her confidence when she was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2014; she went from having a job and independence to struggling with everyday things like catching a train. She began self-harming as a way to cope, but people didn’t understand.
“I was working for Somerfield when I began to have mental health problems. It started with self-harming; a member of staff who I became close with asked how I injured my arm and because I’m honest I told them the truth about what I did.
"They said that if I could hurt myself I could hurt others, accused me of doing it for attention and said they wouldn’t bring flowers to my grave – because they thought self-harm was the same as suicide.
“In 2017 a support worker eventually convinced me to go to The American Clubhouse and once I settled in I met my best friend.
"I enjoyed colouring and I became interested in 5D Diamond Printing – I even made the American Bald Eagle with a flag, which I donated to the Clubhouse to mark Independence Day. I got most of the members doing 5D Diamond Painting and I seemed to be gaining my confidence back. I even dressed as the Statue Of Liberty for Independence Day last year."