Anybody can feel stuck or adrift in life.
When you are financially vulnerable or socially isolated it can be hard to find or afford the support you need.
That's why This Way Up offers a free course of mindfulness and life-coaching to east Londoners on low incomes.
Jillian's story
Jillian survived a violent attack in her own home which left her with physical and mental scars.
"I wouldn't go out. I'd just be indoors all the time" she says. When a hospital worker recommended a This Way Up course Jillian decided to give it a go.
"People opened up"
"They put you in small individual groups. You get ideas because someone else is thinking differently or they have a better approach to something. People opened up and after the third session, I started to open up.
I’ve helped others and they’ve helped me."
Control and confidence
This Way Up gave Jillian the space she needed for her confidence to grow. "I used to wear a scarf because I was ashamed of the scar. It was covering up something that happened to me so no one else would know.
Talking to Michele and airing it out helped a lot. It was basically helping me change my life. I don't wear the scarf no more. It's all positive thinking. I started changing"
As the weeks went on, Jillian felt more in control.
"Through mindfulness the doors opened and the sun started shining. I started changing and doing things."
Jillian, This Way Up participant