"David Lewis's Own Words"
David accessed BBO Community Matters project via Dudley job centre initially to help and support him into employment. However, when I met with David, I have realised that David had mental health issues and he required immediate mental health support. David never had any mental health support before or any other support such as helping him to build his confidence and self-esteem, socialising and networking with people.
My initial contact with David was to understand his overall situation identifying issues and barriers as well as setting up realistic and achievable goals, likewise, putting an action plan in place and implementing successfully. David suffered from mental health issues such as depression, stress and anxiety. David lives on his own and he previously worked at Royal Mail Birmingham.
David left the job because he witnessed a suicide which left him traumatised. This incident made a huge negative impact on David’s communication and ability to engage with people. Since then he began suffering with significant depression and anxiety.
Therefore, my first action to support David was to contact his GP and arrange for professional mental health support. Furthermore, I have supported David to build his confidence and improve his communication skills as when I firstly met David, he hardly would speak any words.
However, after so many appointments and my constant/ continuous support David’s communication quickly improved. While I was seeing David we discussed both, his issues, hobbies and interests and I realised that David has a passion for photography.
After grasping this passion for David, I referred him for a photograph training course for a series of 10 weeks. David invited me to attend his exhibition photography show which I gladly attended. David was so happy with the course and he was very thankful for the work we as Community Matters have provided for him.
Similarly, he is involved with another project at Ruskin Glass Centre which will be starting very soon and evolves writing a mini photography book around Pubs in UK. He has collected 259 Pub photos where behind each one is a story to tell.
David suffered from mental health issues such as depression, stress and anxiety. David lives on his own and he previously worked at Royal Mail Birmingham. David left the job because he witnessed a suicide which left him traumatised. This incident made a huge negative impact on David’s communication and ability to engage with people. Since then he began suffering with significant depression and anxiety. Therefore, my first action to support David was to contact his GP and arrange for professional mental health support. Furthermore, I have supported David to build his confidence and improve his communication skills as when I firstly met David, he hardly would speak any words. However, after so many appointments and my constant/ continuous support David’s communication quickly improved.
While I was seeing David we discussed both, his issues, hobbies and interests and I realised that David has a passion for photography. After grasping this passion for David, I referred him for a photograph training course for a series of 10 weeks.
David invited me to attend his exhibition photography show which I gladly attended. David was so happy with the course and he was very thankful for the work we as Community Matters have provided for him. Similarly, he is involved with another project at Ruskin Glass Centre which will be starting very soon and evolves writing a mini photography book around Pubs in UK. He has collected 259 Pub photos where behind each one is a story to tell.
Advocate
We are able to speak up for individuals and act on their behalf and them in a range of complex situations such as benefit assessments , appeals, with debt agencies, social services, housing.
Mentor
We provide support over a period of time to help and guide people through difficult situations, to overcome issues and barriers and change their lives for the better.
Support
We provide individual support for people facing a range of issues. Working 1-2-1 we work with people to identify and address their main barriers, develop coping skills, improve confidence and well being
Empower
Whilst working with people to address their issues and barriers we actively support them to become stronger, more confident and gain control over their own lives.