A PADSTOW chef who feared his career was over after suffering with mental health is looking forward to a brighter future.

After giving up his job Neal Mackie contacted Pentreath, near Summercourt, for support and within eight months had gone from client to volunteer to employee.

Pentreath receives European Social Fund (ESF) Convergence investment for a variety of projects via the Skills Funding Agency.

Neal said: "I have cooked in a lot of countries including Cyprus, Ireland and Scotland. I have been a chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant and cooked for the Queen Mother. But when I was diagnosed as bipolar I thought my life is over, but it wasn't.

"All it meant was that it caused me to change my career. In the nicest way possible Pentreath has changed my life. It has given me a lot of focus and better direction and the staff have been so encouraging. I have had a lot of help and now I want to give something back."

In August 2008 Neal started a six-week, Understanding Mental Health course. "The first day I attended, I was pulled aside and told I was a potential future member of staff for Pentreath. I was given a volunteer pack with a Criminal Records Bureau form.

"The following week I began volunteering for the training department. Initially I was supposed to come in two to three days a week, but I loved it so much I ended up coming to the office every day of the week. I was really pleased when I achieved the course and I was presented with my certificate in November 2008. I knew that this would help me with future employment."

Neal spent the first months making up portfolios for training courses. He then started to apply for a full time position at Pentreath, found he needed more experience and began working with clients on a voluntary basis.

By May 2009 Neal achieved his goal and began work as an advisor on the Enablement Project.

Run in partnership with West Cornwall Mind and the Rural Community Link Project, Enablement offers opportunities for training, fitness, volunteering and social activities – all geared towards improving people's lives.

Neal added: "I feel really humble and privileged the clients of Pentreath are allowing me to work with them and entrust in me to help them to move forward from one place to another. That's a really good feeling.

"I want to continue learning and progressing and to give each and every client the time and effort they deserve from me. I believe the bravest thing clients do is to pick up the phone and get in contact with Pentreath."

Gina Price, operations manager at Pentreath, said: "With support Neil has come full circle and now not only carries out one to one case work but teaches groups and is shadowed by others to show them how he works."