Harrowing tale of man’s suicide bid

Jeff Wylie from Mansfield turns his life around by taking adult learning classes after trying to take his own life by severing his own hand.

This was the last of numerous attempts by Jeff Wylie to take his own life one weekend in February 2009 after the break-up of his marriage.

The father-of-three, of Old Bakery Way, was saved thanks to a neighbour’s intervention and quick-acting paramedics.

Jeff had his hand surgically re-attached during a 15-hour operation and over the last four years has had to re-learn simple tasks - like tying his own shoe laces.

He was living in Grantham at the time of the ordeal, but decided to move back to Mansfield afterwards, where he had lived with his first wife to be close to his two sons.

“I was apprehensive about going out at first but I got over that and sometimes I would just walk around Mansfield Market. I joined the library and started going to the church and felt comfortable.”

Jeff’s next step was attending county council community learning courses such as Anger Management, Communication Skills and Moving On, which he says were vital to his recovery.

“I am so grateful to Nottinghamshire County Council for these community learning courses which really came at a time in my life where I could have gone either way,” he said.

Jeff has now been asked to help promote the Volunteer Community Learning Champion Project for the county council’s Adult and Community Learning Service team at an event next month.

Coun John Knight, culture committee chairman at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Jeff’s story is remarkable. I am pleased to hear how these community learning courses have contributed to his recovery and it is wonderful news to hear he wants to share his story and provide inspiration for others.”