Jake Shore faces daily battles with depression and anxiety and also a drug addiction, but, thanks to support from the team at YMCA Norfolk in King’s Lynn, he is able to see a brighter future ahead.
Jake first came into contact with the YMCA when he went for an assessment meeting for a room at the charity’s Gaywood property in King’s Lynn.
“I was battling with depression and anxiety and also had a paranoia that my family were spying on me,” said Jake. “I wasn’t in a good place. There were issues at my family home and moving from sofa to sofa was taking its toll on me and my mental health. I had also just been mugged in town by six people, so I wasn’t very trusting of anyone.”
Tenancy support workers Kev and Dave made Jake feel at ease and once the assessment was complete they were able to offer him a room.
“I was happy and anxious at the same time,” said Jake, “to be living on my own, away from my family. When I arrived I was met by Kev who settled me in. I was given a room near the office, which made me feel a little better and safer.
“The weeks passed where, at times, I struggled to cope, but with on-going support with rent issues and personal mental health, I began to trust people.
When Gaywood closed, Jake was offered a room at the Woolstencroft house in Lynn, where his brother was already living.
“My life at Woolstencroft has had its ups and downs, but with staff support, I learned to deal with situations that I would previously not have been able to cope with and speak to people that before I would just have avoided,” said Jake. “I was around a great bunch of residents, who made me feel welcome and supported.
Jake also has a weed addiction which he has found hard to kick. His keyworker has been able to support him and sign-post him to other agencies, to help him find better coping mechanisms.
“I will beat my addiction and control my mental health,” said Jake. “I am so happy I have now been given my move-on letter and can’t wait to have my own place that I can call home.
“I have moved on so much from the person that went for that initial assessment – even my family and friends comment on how I have changed and grown in confidence. I know I have made mistakes in the past, but with staff support and guidance I now have a brighter future and better life ahead.”