Watch Darren share his story here.

Finding rewarding employment, a secure home and a great community around you is not always a straightforward journey, whatever your situation.

Friends First works with people who have had years out of work, are isolated and had their confidence ebbed away. They have often experienced disadvantage and even the trauma of homelessness, making this same journey all the more challenging.

The Friends First model is like a three legged stool. One leg for employment, another for support and the third for home. If one ‘leg’ is missing, or in some way damaged, the individual's foundation for life becomes unstable. 

This Christmas we are raising money for the support element of our work. 

Your gift will ensure people receive personal, 1-1 and group therapeutic support from trained counsellors and local volunteer mentors.

Support is like the glue that holds the process of finding work and a home together, empowering people to achieve their potential and reach their goals. Furthermore, it is a space to know that someone truly cares and has the time to come alongside you for as long as it takes. This in itself can restore and heal.

Since knowing Darren, he has completed a peer-mentor training and is now a mentor to others. He regularly volunteers with our admin team and attended a computer course to improve his skills. He is looking to his future.

We are asking if you will give because transformation happens and is possible.

Every pound counts:

£10 is a gift of coffee and friendship (volunteer mentoring expenses)

£20 is a gift of being heard and new perspectives (1-1 support session)

£30 is a gift of exploring sense of self in a new way (1-1 Person Centered Art Therapy session)

£50 is a gift of exploring sense of self with others and trusting again (Group Person Centered Art Therapy Session)

And let’s be real… it costs £4,000 for a year’s counselling training fees and £30,000 to employ a counsellor!

Thank you.