A former homeless man from Southport has told of his struggle on the cold streets of the resort before finding salvation thanks to a poster.
The resident, known only as David, was formerly street homeless and struggling with his mental health, shares his story to encourage others to reach out and get support.
David, 57, suffers from bipolar disorder and last autumn was sleeping rough in a shelter on Southport promenade when he stumbled across a flyer for the Sefton Crisis Cafes. With locations in both Southport and Crosby, the Crisis Cafe service offered him out of hours support for his mental health conditions and would go on to help him change his life for the better.
The Southport Crisis Cafe offered David a warm welcome, food and drink, a calm and safe space and a group of friendly staff who provided a wealth of support for both mental health and practical issues that he was experiencing. They gave him one to one support with his mental health concerns, helped him to register with a GP, get a winter clothing grant and referral to a food bank, as well as providing regular social activities with the staff and other service users in the cafe’s social space – all of which began to have a hugely positive impact on David’s life.
WATCH: David shares his story www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUUN7Mtlk5o
David said: “It’s not possible to measure it, I’ve made some great friends through the café and there is nobody in my life who’s been there longer than (Crisis Cafe staff) Sherran and Sarah.
“I’m a lot more positive than I was. I know that there is somebody there if I need someone.”
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