MC
MAGAZINE 3 WELCOME
WELCOME
4 HERE COME THE GIRLS! 6 WHAT DOES AN ADDICT LOOK LIKE? 8 A LOSS LIKE NO OTHER 10 A SAFE HAVEN
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HERE COME THE GIRLS!
12 SUPERHERO 14 MY TEENAGER AND ME
A group that’s in its own league in supporting women with an addiction.
16 HOLLYOAKS KIERON RICHARDSON JOINS THE BIG BREW
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18 THE VICIOUS CYCLE
A SAFE HAVEN
22 LIVING WITH ASPERGER’S
The ex-prisoner making town safer for vulnerable people.
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THE PERFECT FAMILY BUT I WAS LOST A dad’s struggle to return to normal life after trauma. MC magazine team: Managing Editor: Steve Murphy. Editor: Jackie Rankin.
27 STAY WELL, FEEL GREAT 28 TASTE OF THE MED
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STAY WELL FEEL GREAT Look after your body and keep your mind well.
34 DAY IN THE LIFE 35 COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS
Contributors: Mark Hudson, Mike Spencer. Editorial: Julie Crompton, Joanne Cunningham. Photography: Joel Goodman. Design: Jo Hadfield.
You can contact us at: communications@merseycare.nhs.uk MerseyCareNhsTrust Mersey_Care
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adversity and the support from someone who really does know how you feel.
e hope when you’re reading this the sun will be shining and the temperatures rising. Not least because it means we can get out and about. All the evidence suggests that being physically active makes you feel better. Even gentle exercise releases feel good endorphins. It’s a real thing and it’s only when you do it that you get the feeling. If you’re meeting a friend for a coffee and a chat, walk there – every little helps. Speaking of getting together over a brew, actor Kieron Richardson talks in this issue about his support for the Big Brew, a national campaign that uses the power of a cuppa to tackle mental health stigma. And staying with ‘celebrity’ stories, we spent the morning with a WAGS group. There’s not a footballer’s wife in sight – the common bond for these women is their addiction. Their stories are of overcoming
That’s certainly the case for parents bringing up teenagers while battling with their own difficulties. We visited a course run by family support workers where mums and dads can share experiences and learn to reconnect with their sons and daughters.
True support only works if we know what people need.
True support only works if we know what people need. New research is trying to improve services for people with Asperger’s Syndrome. We felt privileged when two young men who live with the condition and who took part in the research talked candidly to us about their lives. It’s inspiring and helps us all to understand the condition - and celebrate amazing people with bright futures. Enjoy spring!
The MC editorial team. 3