00:04Hi, I often get asked what was life like being involved in the far right so let me give you
00:09an
00:09insight. Looking back that world was honestly a bit mad. I remember when I was involved I felt
00:16like a proper patriot, like I was defending my country from invaders and enemies. The movement
00:22would often say we were street soldiers doing our bit just like our ancestors did in the world wars
00:27and I believed it. But were we in those wars? Many brave men and women fought and gave the ultimate
00:34sacrifice for our freedom. Part of that freedom is freedom of choice of religion so if anything by
00:40people being so anti-Muslim they are going against what those soldiers fought for. Another thing I
00:46felt as part of the movement was that I felt untouchable. I felt strong. I felt tough. But after
00:53a while that feeling faded and it was replaced by a deep feeling of loneliness, paranoia and fatigue.
00:59Thinking about all of this is why I took the decision to leave. Now if I'm honest things didn't
01:04get better straight away. For a while I did feel a bit weak, like I had given up. However everyday
01:10things got a little bit better, each day became a little brighter and the weight I felt I had been
01:15carrying on my shoulders just got lighter. After a few weeks I realised that I had not given up
01:22or abandoned the movement. I had just recognised that they had taken advantage of a bad situation
01:27I was in and manipulated me to believe that the bad situation was caused by immigrants when it really
01:33wasn't. Today I live a good happy life. It could be happier. All I need is my football team to
01:39play a
01:39little better, but that's a story for another day. If anyone is watching this video and is either
01:44involved themselves or know someone who is, then please think about what extremism is all about.
01:50The movement don't care about you. To them you are just a number. Instead surround yourself with
01:55family and friends that genuinely care about you. If you have burnt bridges with people, don't worry.
02:02Reach out and start to rebuild those bridges. People will understand. If you need help, search
02:08act early or exit hate. You are not alone.
