You saw some of the people in here out on the streets, some people would run a mile!

Samuel is the main one for me, even with his bad jokes!

“Being here, you kind of learn their stories and it helps you to understand them and then your own problems don’t seem so bad.”

J’s wit and upbeat attitude is something to be admired given the adversaries she faces with her mental health.

She now attends various different groups and activities that she says help to maintain this infectious positivity. “We’ve been able to do some classes together...” J said, gesturing towards her friend sat next to her in the cafe, “I’ve done the music group, the creative writing group...Whatever Sam suggests to me, I’ll give it a go!”

J then went on to joke about her love life, “I even got set up on a dating app once, but that didn’t work out!”

Speaking about the Mission’s other customers, many of whom she is in regular contact with, J spoke about the positive impact it has being around other people with similar problems to her own. “If you saw some of the people in here out on the streets, some people would run a mile!”

She said: “But being here, you kind of learn their stories and it helps you to understand them and then your own problems don’t seem so bad.”

Now, J wants to encourage other people who need help to follow in her footsteps and visit the Mission with their own troubles. “I’ve told people to come down and play Monopoly, I’ve

If

told people to come down and get some advice, I’ve even told people to just come and get a hot drink or a lovely breakfast,” J said.

“I’d say if anyone has a problem, whether it be addiction, mental health, or even if you just want to come in for a chat, if you’re feeling down then come to the Mission.”

Her friend started laughing, “She will tell complete strangers to come here!”

In a nutshell, this demonstrates the type of community and friendshiporientated place the Mission is. It is a place where positive wellbeing can flourish and loneliness can be extinguished. A place with safety and communication at its heart. “I’d say if anyone has a problem, whether it be addiction, mental health, or even if you just want to come in for a chat, if you’re feeling down then come to the Mission.” J said. “Plus, they do a really good breakfast!” As J hung up her apron for the day after a successful shift in the cafe, she had just four words for the Mission and its staff, “a big thank you!”.

J is just one of many vulnerable people who seek help at Huddersfield Mission. “Here, we believe that mental health is just as important as physical health, and we want to break the stigmas surrounding it. If you or anyone you know needs a safe place and someone trustworthy to talk to, come to Huddersfield Mission and we’ll put the kettle on!” she added.

It all starts with a brew!