Community Connectors

Check out below case studies from the Community Connectors work.

Johnstone (Real name withheld) is a 54-year-old man of west Indian descent. He was referred to us for bereavement support. He explained how he sadly lost his partner and two older kids to covid. Johnstone expressed on how he has found it difficult moving on and finding any hope in life.  

The peer-to-peer non-invasive support he was provided with allowed Johnstone to openly express his frustration, deep depression and lack of enthusiasm in what he used to do. Johnstone used to be robust in the community, loved his security work and evenings watching football with his peers.  

By allowing Johnstone to have autonomy to his care plan, he was able to map out the care he needed. Johnstone was able to access bereavement support and realised quickly how helpful and supportive he was to others.  

By focusing on others, Johnstone is now a trained bereavement volunteer and uses his experience to impart hope and strength in others on a similar journey. Johnstone has now taken up his love for sports and through the support of a personal health budget, he was able to access a local gym and actively involve himself with others.  

Johnstone was also able to access localised affordable counselling and through sessions, allow himself to grieve in safe spaces. It was a loving gesture when he invited me to join him in a memorial mass at church to remember his family whom he believes are now angels smiling down on him.  

Johnstone has rekindled his love for music, loves going out and dance to the songs he used to when his partner was around. His home is now a hub of activities, and he wishes to access employment support of which he will be supported so as to reintegrated back into purpose and productivity.  

Through patience, resilience building and being solution focused, he has been able to emphasize on actionable goals vital in his mental well-being improvement.