About Claire

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My name is Claire, and I am the Founder, and a trustee for Red Balloons. You can read my full story through my blog here.

But, in a nutshell, here goes. 

Mental health has been a huge part of my life since I was born. My father was an alcoholic, who I sadly lost to the addiction in 2023. My mother had her own ill mental health and it was the 80’s/90’s where nothing was ever discussed. I have always been independent and very good at hiding my feelings, choosing to be the class clown and putting myself on the forefront in order to stop people looking beyond the masks l wore every day. 

My first experience of my ill mental health was very soon after the birth of my daughter in 2004. I ended up being taken to hospital by Police following a serious attempt to hurt myself. Somehow, I managed to talk my way out of this situation, was sent home and went back to old habits instantly, pretending I was ok. Never dealing with any of the issues that had caused me to reach that point. Simply squashing them even further down, as I added more to the pile. 

2017, following a very temperamental time at my then job, I basically broke. After months of planning it to the finest detail, I went ahead and attempted to take my own life. I genuinely believed that it was the only way my children could live happy lives, I felt a burden, a failure, destroyed and unfixable. Luckily, and I truly mean that, I survived. 

Although forced, I finally saw my GP, was referred to immediate counselling and my journey really started. I had started Red January in 2017 and hand on heart, I count that incentive and the amazing people who are part of it, as a huge part of me still being here, encouraging me to follow my dreams and a place where I finally felt I belonged. 

After encouragement from Mind, following my blogs and sharing my story for them through the media, I set up Red Balloons as an exercise for mental health focused peer support group, in the hope that it might help even just once person. To be sat here now, writing this and seeing how far Red Balloons has come is truly humbling! All thanks to the amazing staff and volunteers who joined me on the journey and believed in my vision and mission! 

My experiences of suicide, severe depression, anxiety, post-natal depression and bulimia mean my story can reach a wide range of people, who I hope I can help realise that although they might feel it, you are never alone. 

I am proud to say, my children have a happier and healthier Mam, who has achieved so much more than ever could have been imagined! In 2019 I ran the London Marathon for Red balloons, in 2021 I passed my Bachelor degree in Psychology, and was so proud to be chosen as a Local Hero for The Great North Run. 

What is next for me? 

I am currently studying to be a counsellor, and I am looking at working with children and young people through physical and mental health coaching. If you are sat here reading my story, thinking, “Can I?”, then please believe me when I say, no matter what it might be, I just want to say - #YesYouCan. I am living proof that you can achieve anything you set your mind too. Never give up!