A dad, whose world fell apart after a series of personal traumas, says he now sees an exciting new future with the launch of his photographic business.
Dave Worton, from Middlesbrough, was 17 when he was shocked to discover that he had been adopted.
He said: “It all changed.
“I suddenly didn’t believe anything that before I thought was true.”
Despite this Mr Worton built a successful career in retail management with ASDA, Benson for Beds and Harveys Furniture.
But the deaths of his mother, father and stepmother in a short space of time and a divorce – albeit amicable – had a catastrophic impact on his mental health.
Mr Worton said: “It just hit me. I was sick of life. I was sick of everything.”
Mr Worton had to give up his job and admits that he was “quite close” to taking his own life.
He added: “I had lost interest in all the sports I used to do so my therapist said why don’t you find yourself a new hobby.
"At the time I liked going out just taking photos with my mobile phone. It got me out and about and improved my mental health. I bought a digital camera and that’s where it all began.”
Read more: BEFORE AND AFTER: Two brothers go from selling beds to children's toys
Three years later he has opened Inspire Photography Services in the Dundas Indoor Market. As well as a portrait studio Dave will be selling his work and the pictures and services provided by three other photographers.
He met two of them when discussing their own mental health problems and the third while watching a Middlesbrough match at the Riverside Stadium.
He now specialises in night photography and also wants his pictures to reflect his love of the area where he grew up.
Mr Worton added: “People are too quick to knock Middlesbrough, Teesside and the North East in general, but some of the scenery we’ve got is astonishing.”
“I’ve been up and down the country but I still say that this is one of the best places you can live.”
His other and main inspiration for the new start is his eight-year-old son Alfie.
He hopes his story will help other people who have problems with their mental health. Earlier this month the Office for National Statistics published the latest figures on suicides in the UK.
Three-quarters of the people who take their own lives are men and the North East has the highest incidents of suicide – almost double the figure for London.
The launch of Inspire Photography Services was delayed because of the pandemic, but he is hugely excited at the opening of his studio.
Mr Worton is one of a number of new traders in the market alongside Simply Babywear and PM Toys and Collectables.
The popular Baby Beautiful has also made a seasonal return.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here