Eighteen months ago Cameron Honey was working as a software developer. However, due to his mental health and family issues, he had to leave.
‘For the next few months, I became quite inward-looking. I didn’t go out much,’ he said. ‘I was almost scared of going out and interacting with anyone. I wanted to get back into the swing of having a job, but I felt that moving into a full-time role would probably go the same way.’
Working with a JET Employment Coordinator, he was introduced to Acorn, and he started with voluntary sessions on the allotment.
‘The allotment caught my eye as a way to get back into a routine and interact with more people,’ he said. ‘I have always enjoyed the horticulture side of things. Since the age of five I helped my parents and grandparents in the garden.’
Over the course of a year, Cameron has had work experience and skills development in the metal recycling workshop and in Acorn Reuse, helping with donations and pricing. Most recently, he has been one of the paid staff in the plant nursery getting everything ready for the busy bedding season.
Cameron was diagnosed with high functioning autism at the age of 11, and with anxiety and depression some years later. He successfully got a place to study physics at the University of York, but it didn’t work out and he left after a year.
‘Ever since the age of 10 I knew what I wanted to do and my dream job was to become a nuclear physicist. But it didn’t go to plan,’ he said. ‘Going to university was such a huge change in environment, and I had a bad experience which resulted in a major dip in my mental health.
‘Mental health had always been a struggle, but I had been largely able to keep on top of it,’ he said. ‘In the past it was always a matter of “grow up”, “get on with it”. At Acorn, I feel so supported. What’s important is being seen – and not having to necessarily hide the fact that I’m having a worse day.
‘My conditions can’t be seen on the surface, and I am good at hiding the symptoms. The support here is amazing. I have never experienced any bad interaction with anyone, and that has helped my mental health so much.
‘Since coming to Acorn, I have definitely noticed a huge growth in confidence and I am more comfortable interacting with others,’ he said. ‘I recommend that if anyone who has physical or mental health issues wants to get out and interact and they don’t know where to start – it’s here at Acorn.’
Cameron wants to get back into open employment when he is ready.
‘I see Acorn as a stepping stone,’ he said, ‘and one day I can get back to being a software developer.’
Every time you buy a plant from Acorn’s nursery, you are supporting work and training for Islanders who have a disability or long-term health condition. In the spring the nursery takes on more people to help with the busy period leading up to bedding season.
