Ep 36 Let's Chat Mental Health and Growing up on Gamesley with Tom

Let’s Chat Derbyshire is a community-driven podcast sharing real stories from real people across Derbyshire and the High Peak — conversations about mental health, resilience, community, and growth.In the latest episode, we speak with Tom, a proud Gamesley resident, who opens up about growing up on an isolated estate in the High Peak and the challenges that came with it. Tom reflects honestly on how environmental and personal factors impacted his mental health, including periods of substance use and hitting his lowest points.Now on the other side of that journey, Tom is a passionate community advocate. He is the Chair of Gamesley FC, a trustee of the Gamesley Community Centre, and a volunteer with LET’S Talk, a men’s peer-support group on the estate that provides a safe space for men to connect, talk openly, and support one another. The group also runs walks and retreats aimed at improving wellbeing and reducing isolation.This episode is about transformation — how a local man rebuilt his life, prioritised his mental health, and now gives back to his community by supporting young people, creating opportunities, and helping others feel less alone.We also reference Matt’s podcast episode, which connects closely to the themes discussed:👉 https://spoti.fi/3MattEp🔗 Support & Community LinksLET’S Talk Men’s Support Group: https://bit.ly/LETSTalkMensGamesley Community Centre: https://bit.ly/GamesleyCommunityCrowdfunder – Road to the World Cup (Football Pitches): https://bit.ly/GamesleyFCFundMental Health Support (Derbyshire): https://dccmhsp.com/Information