Peter's story

When Peter was first referred to Swanswell's Supporting People Service for help, he presented with support needs around housing, benefits, daily living, mental and physical health, social inclusion, cultural and faith needs, and leisure activities.

He already had his own flat, which he shared with a friend. However, he hadn't yet set up housing benefit for his share of the rent which was falling in to arrears, causing him considerable stress.

Peter has long-standing mental health issues including depression and high levels of anxiety which were at times affecting his day-to-day life. He was stable on 10mg subutex but was unable to reduce levels because he had too much going on at the time.

There were also issues around organising his time or appointments, finding things to do, attending cultural/social places of interest and also support networks around him.

However, following Swanswell's help, Peter successfully turned his life around and no longer needs regular support. He's got on top of his debts, made a self-referral to mental health services, completed counselling sessions, improved his health and completed two different college courses.

In addition, he's completed courses to address work-related anxiety, enrolled in a course in social care and health, reduced his subutex levels to 4mg, become more organised, improved budgeting skills, travelled to Ireland to see friends, improved self-esteem and confidence, and regularly attends local church meetings as well as improving relationships with his family.

By the end of his support with Swanswell, he improved the quality of his life significantly by working hard to achieve his goals which helped him, in the long term, achieve an independent, substance-free life, leading to employment and a more fulfilling life.