Cafe volunteer Patrick awarded for his work

what we are achieving.

“I started volunteering for Aberconwy Mind and the Rabbit Hole project in late April 2014, at which point I was in early recovery for alcohol abuse.

“I was looking for something to put my time into and thought mental health and the Mind charity was the right one, because I suffer from depression too. At that point, my self-esteem was low.”

The cafe’s ethos is “healthy food, healthy mind”, and there are classes planned to teach people how to cook healthy fare, as well a consulting room for relaxation and therapy sessions.

Patrick said: “I have a purpose and my self-esteem has increased.

“In doing this, I am hoping to help others who have mental health issues. It’s important to me that I am helping others.”

In helping others, Patrick believes he has ultimately helped himself.

He said: “It’s restored my self-esteem, built up my confidence and given me additional skills. A lot of it is self-taught; the social aspect, getting out and meeting people, and talking to people on social media.

“I think from what they saw of what I had done for the Rabbit Hole, they realised I had done reasonably well from where I had come.”

Patrick now hopes to use his desire to help others to forge a career in the charitable sector.

He said: “I think with volunteering and gaining new skills, the future has opened up.”

For more information about the Rabbit Hole, visit the cafe’s Facebook site.