Robert Hurst

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to share Victoria Clare's story. Design/methodology/approach - Victoria wrote a biography of her experiences. Robert then asked a series of questions from the perspective of a mental health academic. Findings - Victoria shared stories from her life, and how her experiences have shaped her life and herself. Research limitations/implications - Narratives such as this give us an overview of only a single person's experiences. However, they allow the person with lived experience to explore their story in depth. Practical implications - What Victoria has written will give readers an insight into her life and experiences. Social implications - There is so much to learn from a story like Victoria's, especially in her approach to creativity. Originality/value - This is Victoria's own unique story. The value of this is apparent upon reading it.

This book presents the importance of the role of creativity, particularly everyday creativity, in the lives of people on a mental health recovery journey. Through a review of historical and contemporary literature and research findings on the topic, the book starts by giving readers an idea of the state of play of conceptualisations of both creativity and recovery. The authors arrive at and present their own definitions of these concepts, using autoethnography to bring their own experiences into the text. They then illustrate to the reader what creativity in recovery looks like in practice, through interviews with and written accounts from creative individuals who have experienced a mental health recovery journey, grounding the theory with tangible stories of application. The interviews are analysed, with themes picked out and a model of creativity and recovery produced by the authors. Implications and possible future directions are then discussed. This unique presentation of creative recovery will be of interest to a wide range of mental health professionals, specifically those studying or practicing mental health recovery and creative therapies.

This autoethnographic chapter charts the author's journey through grief via the lens of travel, when, after the death of his grandparents, he decides to tap into the love of travel that he shared with them. With each new journey, his grief trajectory unfolds, as his continuing bonds with them come into focus with each new city. The chapter is regularly punctuated by a dialogue between the author and his brother, and references to popular music and football. Their conversations shed light on their respective approaches to grief, and how these ultimately strengthen their relationship.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of existing literature on post-traumatic growth (PTG), particularly in the ways that it relates to grief. Design/methodology/approach This narrative literature review brings together 125 sources and presents them in a readable way. Findings There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that PTG can come from grief. This is not always the case, however. Research limitations/implications This review presents only a selection of the existing literature - the review is not systematic. However, this allows for a narrative to be crafted, to aid readability. Practical implications Suggestions for future research are made throughout, and potential therapeutic applications are mentioned. Social implications This paper discusses stigma, in the form of "disenfranchised grief". In this, social pressures and expectations affect how a person processes their grief psychologically. While movements to increase discourse and reduce stigma are on the rise, more is needed. Originality/value This review guides readers through existing literature, providing a wide overview of the topic of PTG in grief.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to share Robyn Clegg-Gibson's story. Design/methodology/approach: Robyn wrote a biography of her experiences. Robert then asked a series of questions from the perspective of a mental health academic researcher. Findings: Robyn shared stories from her life, and how her experiences have shaped her life and herself. Research limitations/implications: Narratives such as this give us an overview of only a single person's experiences. However, they allow the person with lived experience to explore their story in depth. Practical implications: What Robyn has written is very emotional. Her story will give readers an insight into her life and experiences. Social implications: There is so much to learn from a story like Robyn's. In particular, from her experiences of police processes after a crime. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that Robyn has chosen to publish her unique story in the written form. The value of Robyn sharing her story is apparent upon reading it.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share Laura Scranage's story. Design/methodology/approach Laura wrote a short piece detailing her journey and was then interviewed by Robert. Findings Laura spoke about the difficulties she has faced in life and how her experiences with horses have been deeply therapeutic. Research limitations/implications Recovery narratives such as this give us an overview of only a single person's experiences. However, they allow the person with lived experience to explore their story in depth. Practical implications Laura advocates for more research into how horses can be used in therapeutic interventions. Social implications There is so much to learn from a story such as Laura's, for those who have had similar experiences and for those who work in mental health services. Originality/value This is the first time that Laura has chosen to share her unique story.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to share Danielle Jeffries' story.
Design/methodology/approachDanielle wrote a biography of her experiences. Robert then asked a series of questions from the perspective of a mental health academic.
FindingsDanielle shared stories from her life, and how her experiences have shaped her, including being sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
Research limitations/implicationsRecovery narratives such as this give us an overview of only a single person's experiences. However, they allow the person with lived experience to explore their story in depth.
Practical implicationsWhat Danielle has written is very powerful. Her story will give readers an insight into her life and experiences. Social implicationsThere is so much to learn from stories such as Danielle's. In particular, the way that she speaks about the impact of a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder.
Originality/valueThis is the first time that Danielle has chosen to share her unique story. The value of Danielle sharing her story is apparent upon reading it.

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to share Kirsty Lilley’s story.
Design/methodology/approach
Kirsty wrote a biographic piece detailing her journey, then shared a creative piece of writing about trust before being interviewed by Robert.
Findings
Kirsty shared stories from her life and how her experiences have shaped who she is. In Trust, she gives the reader an intimate insight into her internal and psychological experiences.
Research limitations/implications
Recovery narratives such as this give us an overview of only a single person’s experiences. However, they allow the person with lived experience to explore their story in depth.
Practical implications
Kirsty writes evocatively – her stories will connect with readers.
Social implications
There is so much to learn from stories such as Kirsty’s. For those who have had similar experiences and for those who work in mental health services.
Originality/value
This is the first time that Kirsty has chosen to share her unique story. It is also the first time in Remarkable Lives that a piece of creative writing has been included alongside a biography.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to share Ella Vadasz's story. Design/methodology/approachElla wrote a biography of her experiences, including two poems. Robert then asked a series of questions from the perspective of a mental health academic. FindingsElla shared stories from her life and how her experiences have shaped her. She talked about the emotional impact of a custody battle. Research limitations/implicationsRecovery narratives such as this give us an overview of only a single person's experiences. However, they allow the person with lived experiences to explore their story in depth. Practical implicationsWhat Ella has written is very emotional. Her story will give readers an insight into her life and experiences. Social implicationsThere is so much to learn from stories such as Ella's, in particular from her critique of social services in Scotland and England. Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that Ella has chosen to share her unique story. This paper features two poems written by her - a first for Remarkable Lives. The value of Ella sharing her story is apparent upon reading it.