Lee Millington-Millar working at Cygnet Hospital Taunton

Lee Millington-Millar, 30, was helped on the road to recovery at Cygnet Hospital Taunton after years of suffering severe depression and suicidal thoughts.

He says psychologists there gave him the tools to better understand himself and overcome his negative thoughts.

And he was brought out of his shell through activities organised by the occupational therapy team, while the ward staff and other service users helped on his road to recovery.

Lee said: "It’s a long journey but to wake up in the morning and enjoy my life again has been invaluable to me.

"Yet I vividly remember how powerless and resentful I felt at the time of my admission.

"It is that memory that spurs me on now to want to help others.

"I can be a beacon of hope for people who are currently in the pit of despair. That’s something I take incredibly seriously."

Lee heard about the role of 'Expert by Expert' at Cygnet, of which he said: "I felt like it was a beneficial role for service users and it was empowering to know I could be responsible for improving their care and getting their voices heard.

"I also felt that it would help me and give me a sense of meaning and purpose too.

"I want to speak up for people who don’t have a voice.

"When you’re in a mental health service, sometimes you just don’t have the strength in yourself to speak up about what you need.

"I’ve been there and I know what helps and what hinders. I want to share that expertise to help get others into a good place."

Lee's role is primarily focused around peer support by talking to patients and their families within three of Cygnet Health Care’s services in the South West.

"I have walked in their shoes and that helps to build up trust between us," he said. "They feel safe talking to me."

Lee added: "I can see the changes and improvements of the service users through their journeys at the sites.

"To see them at the start of their journey and to be a tiny part of that process is really fulfilling."