BLACKPOOL / AGILITYPR.NEWS / November 12, 2026 / Two years ago, John Sneap was living in a homeless hostel, struggling with severe mental health challenges and uncertain about what the future held. Earlier this week, he stood at an event in the Houses of Parliament sharing his story of recovery, resilience and hope.

Before the pandemic, John had built a successful career as a chef at a Blackpool hotel. However, when COVID restrictions forced the hotel to close, the loss of routine, purpose and employment contributed to a serious decline in his mental health. What followed was a period of addiction, homelessness and a Bipolar Disorder diagnosis that left him needing to rebuild his life from the ground up.

Today, John's story is a powerful example of what can happen when people receive the right support at the right time. Through Groundwork's Grow Blackpool programme, he rediscovered his confidence, reconnected with his passion for horticulture and recently secured employment doing work he loves.

Here is John's story in his own words.

A couple of years ago, I was sitting in a homeless hostel trying to piece my life back together. If you’d told me then that one day I’d be sharing my story in Parliament, I’d never have believed you.

Before COVID, I was working 12 hour shifts at a big hotel in Blackpool. I looked like I was coping, but in reality, I was masking my struggles with substances and alcohol. When lockdown hit, things spiralled out of control. With the hotel closed, my use of alcohol and substances increased and began earlier each day. I had what I now know was a manic episode and this led to criminal charges and homelessness.

I was eventually given a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. It wasn’t an excuse but I finally had an explanation. Understanding my diagnosis was one thing but rebuilding my life still felt impossible.

Running Away

By late 2025, I hadn’t left my flat for over a year. I was battling severe depression and struggling to look after myself. A social prescriber took me to Grow Blackpool for the first time, but I wasn’t ready. I ran away and didn’t come back.

Thankfully, people didn’t give up on me. With support from adult social services, I slowly rebuilt my confidence and eventually agreed to give Grow Blackpool another chance.

Looking back now, agreeing to go back was probably one of the most important decisions I’ve made.

Finding My Purpose Again

When I returned to @TheGrange, I met Angela Nagorski who runs the Grow Blackpool programme. While showing us around the garden, Angela pointed to a border she wanted clearing. I surprised myself by speaking up.

“Would you like that herbaceous poppy plant leaving next to the Fatsia japonica?”

She smiled and asked if I was a gardener. “I used to be,” I replied.

Angela never pushed me or demanded that I open up. Instead, she gave me the space, patience and encouragement to rediscover what I was good at. She also introduced me to Ellen, a Community Support Worker for Groundwork, whose support has since been a huge part of my recovery journey.

Before Grow Blackpool, I felt like everything I’d worked for and learned over the years had disappeared. Angela and Ellen helped me realise it was still there. I just needed the confidence to use it again. It was all about getting the right support at the right time.

More Than Gardening

People often talk about the benefits of gardening for mental health. For me, the biggest impact wasn’t the gardening itself – it was the people.

Through Grow Blackpool and The Grange, I found friendship, support and a sense of belonging. I met people who understood what I was going through and discovered I wasn’t alone.

What started as somewhere to do a bit of gardening became somewhere I actually wanted to be. These were people who understood me, checked in on me and wanted me to succeed.

@TheGrange brings together lots of organisations and services under one roof, making support accessible when people need it most. From practical advice and wellbeing support to volunteering opportunities, it creates connections that can genuinely change lives.

A New Chapter

Earlier this year, Angela invited me to volunteer on a sensory garden project at N-Vision, a charity for people with sight loss living in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

The project meant a lot to me because my auntie lives with Retinitis Pigmentosa. It gave me an opportunity to use my horticultural skills to give something back.

As my confidence grew, Angela encouraged me to apply for a gardening role at N-Vision. Through the support of Blackpool Council’s IPS employment service and an employment specialist called Karen, I rebuilt my confidence, prepared myself to go back into the world of work and attended interviews.

A few weeks ago, I started a job, 1 day a week at N-Vision, in Garden and Grounds Maintenance.

There were times when I honestly didn’t think I’d ever work again, never mind in horticulture. Being back doing something I love still feels strange to say out loud. I’m still attending therapy and taking things one step at a time, but today I’m doing something I genuinely love. And I still make a point of going to Grow Blackpool every chance I can get.

Why It Matters

Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who supported me, especially Angela and Ellen.

They didn’t just help me find a volunteering opportunity or a job. They helped me reconnect with people, rebuild my confidence and believe in myself again.

When people hear about Grow Blackpool, they might think it’s just about gardening. It isn’t. It’s about people. It’s about having somewhere to go, someone to talk to and people who believe in you when you’ve stopped believing in yourself.

For someone who once felt completely alone, that has made all the difference to me.

Don’t Be Afraid To Reach Out

If you’re struggling with your confidence, feeling isolated or looking for a positive next step, don’t be afraid to reach out for support. Whether it’s through a community growing project, volunteering opportunity or personal development programme, taking that first step could change your life too. Getting the right support at the right time can make all the difference.