The 56-year-old said he had suffered from depression and anxiety most of his life but that it had been manageable up until 18 months ago.
Hughes gave up work to try to give himself the time and space to recover, but that made his mental health problems worse.
He said: “I thought it would be good for me to take myself out of the work situation.
“For a while it was, but then you notice the negative affects of being isolated.
“You just become isolated from the world. You’re doom scrolling half of the day. I’d got no purpose anymore.”
Hughes says he begged his GP for something other than more tablets to help get him back on his feet.
That’s when he met the social prescribing team.
He said: “At my first WorkWell session, I was extremely anxious. I was on the verge of a panic attack and ready to bolt. But the team sat me down, calmed me, and supported me to stay.
“That moment was a turning point. I knew then that I had to try, even though it felt daunting.”
Through simple activities like gardening groups, walk-and-talk sessions and volunteering, he gradually rebuilt confidence, routine and social connection.