Member Success Stories
“Without ACCI,I genuinely don’t believeI would be here today.”
Antzz Brown, originally from London and now living in Telford, shares how ACCI’s holistic support played a vital role in saving his life and helping him rediscover his sense of purpose.
Service member, Antzz, has been part of ACCI for three years and shares his journey to inspire hope in others who may be struggling in silence.
Meet Antzz
A Poet,
An Inspiration
Interview with Antzz
Q1. When did you realise you had a problem?
I think I’ve probably struggled most of my life, but just before lockdown was when I realised I really needed help. Everything I’d been dealing with for years just became too much. I felt overwhelmed and I was at breaking point.
Q2. Where did it all begin?
I was living in Telford and started attending Telford Mind to get support. After spending time there, they realised that the level of support I needed was more specialised than they could provide. That’s when they referred me to ACCI in Wolverhampton.
At that point in my life, I was really struggling with my mental health and my thoughts. I had reached a stage where I didn’t see a future for myself.
Q3. ACCI’s Community-Centred Support
The support I’ve received from ACCI is hard to even put into words. It’s been more than just mental health support.
I found brotherhood…I found sisterhood and I found mentors. I found people who saw potential in me that I couldn’t see in myself at the time.
Even though I came to ACCI for help with my mental health, they supported me in so many other areas of my life. All of that contributed to my recovery. They helped me rediscover my purpose and reminded me that there is more to life.
Without ACCI, I genuinely don’t believe I would be here today.
Q4. What impact has ACCI had on your life?
The impact has been life-saving. I was at a point where I was ready to give up on life. Being part of ACCI made me realise there is more for me to do, more for me to see, and more for me to live for.
They gave me my purpose back.
Q5. What advice would you give to others?
I’d tell people to keep their head up. Even when things feel dark, as long as your head is still up, there’s still hope.
There’s a song by Tupac Shakur called ‘Keep Ya Head Up.’ I’d tell anyone who’s struggling to listen to that and really take in the message. Sometimes all you need is that small bit of hope to believe that things can get better.
Q6. Why is supporting ACCI important?
We’re living in difficult times, and organisations like ACCI need support to keep going. ACCI has been serving the community for over 30 years. I grew up in London and saw so many organisations that were there to help people close down. We have to protect places like ACCI.
Not just for me, but for everyone who needs them now and in the future. One day, through all the mentorship I’ve received, I hope I can give back and help others the way ACCI helped me.