Involvement at the centre of lifestyle changes

At forfutures we improve lives and make more things possible for more people. For some customers that come through the service this may be through encouraging people to be involved with different activities to boost their confidence and increase their feelings of wellbeing.

A heavy drinker DJ* had previously been living in a caravan in Ellesmere Port before being referred into forfutures in November 2020. At this point he was drinking daily, and this was having an impact on his behaviour, he was also suffering with depression.

We signposted DJ to other services including the Westminster Drugs Project (WDP) who supported him to reduce his drinking and DJ has now abstained from drinking since June 2021.

DJ is now also taking part in lots of different activities which he enjoys and helps to keep him busy. Danny Sadler, Training and Employment Mentor at forfutures has supported DJ and he is now taking part in lots of different activities which he enjoys.

A love of gardening has developed and DJ often works at the forfutures allotments and also visits the Mulberry Centre where he tends to the gardens there. He has since also visited other supported accommodation to help maintain outside spaces there too.

When he’s not tending to gardens DJ also takes part in Soul Kitchen’s five aside football every week and he also attends his local foodbank where he offers his time to help out.

We’re pleased to see DJ also encouraging others to be involved and is attending meetings for men at Howley House to discuss other ideas for activities for others to enjoy.

Keeping busy and being involved in a range of activities has helped DJ on his road to recovery. He said “Since coming into the service I now feel my journey is more positive, I’ve been alcohol free for five and half months. I volunteered at the foodbank through lockdown and this made a huge difference to my life giving me purpose.

Football has definitely improved my fitness and I am growing in confidence through meeting new people. My next big goal is to get in touch with family.”

His journey is still on-going but he has made huge changes to his lifestyle which have positively impacted his overall health and wellbeing.