Page 13 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • September 2012 13
New blog helps young people
with mental health issues
Ask Peter B
Ask Peter B
Ask Peter B
Twenty-five year old Justine Aplin from West Swindon was diagnosed
two years ago with bipolar disorder, after a ten year struggle with GPs
to refer her to the mental health team. Two years on she has turned her Small Business advice
life around, and is now keen to help other young people who may be from Peter Bromiley ACA
feeling as helpless as she once did. Technical Director AMS Accountancy Ltd.
Explaining her ultimate ambition
to inspire others to take control of Q: I’m married and earn £50,000 including interest from

their lives, Justine said: “There isn’t savings and investments. Can I legitimately reduce my Tax?
enough mental health advice for
young people. It’s alright reading A: For income over £42,475 (Higher Rate threshold); your
leaflets but there’s nobody sharing savings and investments income will incur an extra 20% tax.
their personal experience about the
issues. So I decided to start writing a You could legitimately:
blog and using Twitter to reach out Gift your wife your investments. She would be taxed on the
to other young people. If anyone investment income at 20%, so long as her income stays below
reads my feeds and takes one piece
of advice I’ll feel as if it’s worked.” £42,475; reducing your income and your tax. Also, reduce your
Justine began to struggle with tax by paying into a pension plan; saving you 20% tax on the
mental health aged 15, though it Justine Aplin contributions plus a further 20% tax relief in your pension fund.
took eight years before she was
properly diagnosed with bipolar Describing what has made the Example: Jim earns £51,500 and receives dividends on shares of
disorder. She said: “It wasn’t until biggest difference for her, Justine £1,800. His wife Jill earns £15,000. If Jim gifts his investments to
I was telling everyone I was fa- said: “Information, medication Jill, he will save tax of £450/year. Then, by paying £1,200 into a
mous that the GPs did anything. and opportunities are all great, pension, he will have a pension fund of £1,500 (£1,200 + tax
I stayed awake for a whole week, but you need a willingness to help relief of £300), and will also receive a tax refund of £300.
then crashed out. When it got really yourself too.
bad I couldn’t leave the house, and “One day I just thought, I can For a good Self-Assessment Tax Return service – call AMS.
that went on for about two years.” either be my diagnosis, or I can
Following her diagnosis Justine be Justine. Breaking the pattern of
was referred to the mental health thought about who I wanted to be AMS Accountancy Ltd
team for a ten week course. She and making that choice was key. Delta 606, Swindon SN5 7XF
continues on medication, and en- After all everyone has the right to 01793 818400
rolled on the Prince’s Trust TEAM a good quality of life.” www.ams-accountancy.co.uk
programme in the Spring, which led Follow Justine’s blog: bipolar-24.
her to her current role as a volunteer blogspot.co.uk and on Twitter @
with Wizard Café on Eastcott Hill. bipolarswindon
Year 8 pupil starts to stretch his teacher

Lydiard Park Academy pupil Joe Matthews, 13, who has struggled for
years with Asperger’s Syndrome and dyslexia is being given his chance
to excel by starting an A level course in computer science. 
Joe, who spends some of his 
time in the school’s Autism
Spectrum Disorder Unit, has
already gained an A grade in

BTec information technology.
His mother Sonia de Blaqui-

ere said Joe has always found

school difficult. “He was la-

belled a naughty child until he
was diagnosed with Asperger’s
aged ten. Things have to have Why we all need a Will.
meaning for Joe otherwise he
can easily become disinterested • If you don't have a Will, a total stranger will decide what
and bored. But computers have should be done with your estate and possibly your children.
always fascinated him. He Joe with IT teacher Dermot McLaughlin • If married and you don’t have a Will the amount your
used to help his primary school first pupil to pursue an A level in spouse can inherit is restricted.
teachers with IT problems and last computer science; he attends Year
summer built his own computer 10 classes and has a weekly one to • If you are co-habiting your partner will not be entitled to
from scratch. one lesson with me. Joe keeps me on keep anything owned by you. Including the family home.

“Lydiard Park Academy have my toes by pushing me to produce • Without an effective Will in place your family home can be
been very supportive and Joe is new work modules. forcibly sold to pay for Long Term Care fees.
part of the gifted and talented “Other gifted pupils have seen
programme which means he can Joe’s success and he’s inspiring A professionally written Will can avoid all the above, as well as
be mentored to achieve at the high- them to be challenged.” providing peace of mind that your affairs are in order. We offer
est level.” To give Joe a practical aspect to competitive, fixed fees and FREE HOME VISITS if required.
Lydiard Park IT teacher Dermot his IT studies he spends two hours a
McLaughlin said: “He has excep- week on work experience at Manor For more information please call, or visit our NEW WEBSITE
tional ability and completed the Solutions. He said: “I’m enjoying www.foresightwills.com
BTec with a distinction in a quarter school a lot more and see my future 32 – 33 Commercial Road, Swindon, SN1 5NS.

of the time other pupils took. Even in repairing computers and coming
Tel: 01793 433705
though he’s in Year 8 Joe is our up with answers to IT problems.”

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