A YOUNG woman from Sale who suffered with mental health disorders is visiting Africa to teach young people about civil participation, sexual and reproductive health and their rights.

Twenty-year-old Sinéad Fagan, will be visiting Uganda with the charity Restless Development, who runs the strategic hubs in Africa that she will be working in, alongside a number of other young volunteers.

Sinéad attended Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College, and in year 11 was not able to sit her GCSEs due to mental health problems. She went into a hospital where she was diagnosed with depression and an eating disorder.

After attending college for a short time Sinéad was never able to complete her time there as her illness got worse over the year.

She said: "I've never been able to keep a job or fully pursue anything because of my mental health and that's what makes this trip even more important to me."

Over the past year she has made a full recovery and decided to apply for the trip through the International Citizen Service and send herself on a venture to Africa.

She said: "It's an amazing opportunity and I have always wanted to be able to help other people and actually do it myself rather than just donating money to charities.

"I would like other young people to do the same - It's a whole other lifestyle there and I will meet so many new people - I think it will be a real eye opener and make us realise how lucky we actually are."

Sinéad will go in January and stay there for 10 to12 weeks, and upon her return is given the chance to do something at home to change something in her local community.

She said: "I want to do something surrounding mental health. It has affected me and I know it will have affected many others as well. I would like to do something in schools to teach children and raise awareness."

Sinéad needs to raise £800 for the trip and is currently taking part in sober October. To support her visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/sinead-fagan1