Anthony
"Anthony is a 37-year-old man who has lived in Coventry all his life. Until recently Anthony lived with mum in her property and most, if not all, of his support needs were met by family.
Anthony was seen as having a learning disability as a child but now has a diagnosis of autism and believes that most of his issues have been connected to being autistic and his mental health as he experiences significant anxiety. Historically Anthony has experienced suicidal thoughts and at the time of referral stated that he was seriously considering ending his life. Anthony was diagnosed as having depression with psychotic symptoms when referred to the Pod and was temporarily at the Caludon Centre Psychiatric decision unit.
Anthony had been struggling with his mental health and the situation at home had become impossible with his mum feeling unable to support him and regular conflict. Mum had raised concerns around involvement with right wing extreme groups online and contact with individuals with involvement in in grooming and potentially child sexual offences.
With support from SICol and the Pod short term accommodation was arranged in supported living accommodation. This enabled Anthony to have a safe space and to build some relationships with support staff as well as care coordinator, development worker and community mental health support worker. Once Anthony had built these relationships, he was incredibly open and honest about involvement with groups of significant concern, including extreme right wing/nazi organisations.
Anthony was at significant risk of exploitation and grooming into radicalisation and open about having an admiration for some aspects of far-right ideology.
A referral was made by his development worker to Prevent and a meeting was held with Anthony.
Staff and professionals worked with Anthony around his beliefs, and he was able to identify that some of his beliefs around diverse cultures had been skewed and that he was wrong to think that way. Anthony built a number of positive relationships with individuals of various ethnic backgrounds and now describes himself as having changed significantly.
As part of supporting Anthony to remain safe and avoid contact with the previous groups he was engaging with staff regularly discuss issues with him and give him opportunity to raise concerns. He has engaged really positively with all professionals and attends a variety of group activities, social activities and has also improved his independent living skills.
As part of the work a SANA was completed and that identified two areas of specific interest, spirituality and alternative faiths with an interest in the practice of diverse cultures and equine studies.
Anthony was supported to attend a Wild Earth programme and engaged in a course that included outdoor bushcraft activities but included an element of alternative rituals such as fire making and making music which he really enjoyed and consequently has done some volunteering with them.
We have also looked at equine activities and visited local stables. The plan is to apply for a direct payment to fund some equine qualifications and activities. Anthony has identified that this would be particularly therapeutic having always loved horses and had an affinity with them. Anthony has also been clear that having activities like that to explore and focus on will be significant in avoiding being drawn back into previous relationships that would be of concern and risk relapse of his mental health and wellbeing.
Anthony has a much better relationship with family, visiting mum for the weekend regularly and has also reinitiated contact with his father and wider family after some time with very little contact.
Anthony says that “When I first went to my supported accommodation, I didn’t think my life was worth living or there was much point carrying on. Thanks to the help I’ve had from them and my development worker I have now found my purpose for being here. My mental health has improved, and I have gained many new friends”."