Press release:

LIVINGSTON LOCAL, ANGELA McCRIMMON, ANNOUNCED AS THE

FIRST LOCAL HERO OF 2017

The Centre Livingston & West Lothian Courier is delighted to announce the winner of the first 2017 Local Hero Award, Angela McCrimmon from Livingston, a former professional singer, who was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at aged 19, in recognition of her outstanding work in sharing her story and helping others with the condition.

Angela, (39), a Mental Health Champion who has also received letters of recognition from the Scottish Parliament and Prince William for all her efforts raising awareness of Mental Health and encouraging others to seek help, was nominated by close friend Brenda Flockhart for the incredible work she does helping people battle the highs and lows like she did for almost 20yrs, which in the end resulted in her losing her much-loved career as a singer.

Angela dedicates her time voluntarily to various charities on a one-to-one basis and in group talks, including Bipolar Scotland, See Me Scotland, Penumbra, Turn2Me and Scottish Association for Mental Health, sharing her story about having Bipolar Disorder to help people who have found themselves in the same position as her and also carries out befriending work locally through West Lothian Volunteer Gateway for people with learning and mental health difficulties.

She has also presented to Mental Health Professionals at St John’s Hospital on her own journey and the different stages she went through and took part in a campaign by the Scottish Association for Mental Health to put forward their manifesto, "Ask once..get help fast", which was brought up in parliament.

Brenda said: “Angela is an incredibly inspirational woman who has helped so many people who are suffering in the same way she has over the years.

“She is a great listener, carer and friend who despite her own issues which she still has to deal with, she always has time to help others.

“Nominating her was the easiest thing I’ve ever done – she is one in a million and a true local hero to so many people around her whose lives she has greatly helped.”

Angela has also written a book which has been recently published about living with Bipolar and self-harming entitled, "Can You Hear Me Now? Finding My Voice In A System That Stole It”, which is available from Amazon in paperback, price £9.95 and as a kindle edition price £3.95, where all profits going to Mental Health Advocacy.

Angela's book is about her journey through the medical system and coming out the other end. It is a very powerful book, written with the aim of helping as many people as possible living with mental illness.

Along with help from local MSP Neil Findlay and MP Hannah Bardell, Angela is also hoping to set up a writing group to help sufferers, sometime this year.

Angela said: “I couldn’t believe it when I first heard I’d won this incredible Local Hero Award – what a fantastic start to the year. I’m completely overwhelmed and incredibly touched that Brenda would even consider putting me forward for it.

“For me it is all about helping others who have found themselves in the same position I did over the years and offering help, support and encouragement and highlighting the fact there is always someone somewhere ready to listen and provide support, which I will personally continue to do for as long as I can. It is easy to get lost in the ‘system’ and I want to be the voice for anyone who hasn’t found their own voice yet.”