Inspiring Voices

The Power of Instinct—and a Simple Phone Call

I wasn’t meant to be home that weekend.

I was supposed to be training for the London Marathon, running in support of children who, like my mum, grew up in care. But life has a way of guiding us, even when we don’t realise it.

That’s when my dad suddenly became unwell. I thought it was just heartburn—maybe something I’d cooked—but something inside told me not to ignore it. I trusted that feeling, got him into the car, and drove him to the hospital.

He stayed calm, but when we arrived, doctors took him straight in. I wasn’t allowed to follow. They asked me to go home, collect some of his things, and return later. It felt surreal. But deep down, I knew: I was there for a reason. That instinct helped save his life.

After he moved in with his partner to recover, I remained in the family home—alone—for nearly a year. It was a quiet, uncertain time. What I didn’t know then was that it was also the lead-up to my first psychotic episode.

During that time, one small thing helped hold me together: a weekly phone call from my Auntie Molly. Every weekend, she would check in. Just a simple conversation. But in that silence, her voice was a lifeline.

She reminded me that I mattered.

When we talk about mental health and resilience, we often think of big steps or brave decisions. But sometimes, it’s the smallest things—a gut feeling, a kind word, a phone call—that make the biggest difference.

Trust your instincts. Reach out to someone. One small act of kindness can restore hope. And sometimes, it can save a life.