For people who genuinely want the help and actively want to help themselves and will try, projects like this are so important for those individuals. People can have a person who is more wiser, and honest with you, who can help you. You have a great opportunity to have the help if you really need it. It could be a real turning point for those who access the support. If it can click with me, for someone who didn't think they needed it, it can make a huge on someone who really needs it.
TN
The support being given has not only been a kindness and patience but mostly helping me to get my debts together, that have been weighing over me. Helping me to go through everything an explaining the options that could help me sort my financial situation out, but also offering services that can help my mental health.
SM, aged 30
You provide a needed service for people in the community who are elderly, who have lost a lot of friends and family. You've provided me with a new family.
EP
I meet my oldest school friend and we come together. If we didn't have further funding we'd be deprived of our 3 hours of fun on a Wednesday, having somewhere to keep warm, have something to eat, being able to make friends and reminisce.
MP
T often displays low level disruption in her classes and around the academy, where she is rude and defiant towards staff, this often escalates into her being excluded from school or in our isolation room. T finds it difficult to control her emotions and is having numerous amounts of support from the pastoral staff. We invited her to the Budget, Cook and Eat session and she loved it. T excelled in communicating with the group (older people) supporting them and enjoyed cooking and serving the members of the community.
S Poonia, Community Champion, Q3 Tipton
I was given a lot of support and information. I was given a lot of time by the team. Helping me with the forms. I felt like I was given a shoulder to cry on, people to listen to me. I come on a Wednesday and feel like I am supported and that I belong to an extended family.
MB
It's made me realise there is support out there. I was feeling lost with it. After accessing the counselling that ran short, back in December 2024 (the counsellor left). I was worried about accessing sessions again. I understand services are stretched but things were getting worse, and being able to reach out to you, has made a massive difference in my life. Like, being able to put things into perspective and not be so hard on myself.
DH
"It’s been lovely, I enjoy coming every week, it’s got me out of the house after my hip replacement."
Female, aged 84.
“I’ve just been to visit Mum and she’s said she’s started coming to your Tuneful Tuesday’s… she’s raving about how good it was. Thank you so much, it’s made the world of difference to her. She’s really struggled since having cancer x”
RC, Son of Attendee.
Life before coming to these sessions was lonely, because I didn’t have anyone to talk to. I was very lonely. I have no vision (sight) at all, so I was very isolated. Everyone talks to me, they acknowledge me! It’s just a really relaxed environment everyone is so lovely. It’s just so nice.
SL, aged 50
Lovely little play group, nice and friendly and welcoming. It’s great for my son. He is now learning to go off and play with others rather than being stuck to me.
SW, Mum aged 26
There are lots of people like me who need help and don’t know where to turn. If you guys hadn’t been here, I don’t know what I would have done. There seems to be no continuity at the moment, you can’t even get a GP appointment with the same doctor these days. Having the same person to talk to and help you, really helps mentally. So, thank you, PW aged 43
The support was always available and the team was always in the office or on the end of the phone if needed. I have and would recommend Life in Community CIC to people that need support not just with CV’s etc but maybe just talking to the team can give you a life and make you feel like you have a purpose like it did with myself. They are doing great things for people. I also volunteered for them in the summer helping with gardening and DIY.... It’s a service and a privilege to have been helped and give something back where possible.
KN, aged 60
Life in Community was such a welcomed relief to know I had somewhere to go, to keep warm during the winter months and to help feed myself and my daughter. Kelly, the lady that runs it helped me access equipment to help me in my home and also put me forward for new white goods as part of an energy efficiency scheme.
JS
Your support went above and beyond. With your time, effort and your care by helping to fill out my PIP forms with me. I will always be grateful for your continued support through life in the community, thank you.
MB
It has been good to a have local service in Tipton, that is there to help people that are unable to advocate for themselves. The issues can be complicated, but LiC is has been willing to help in any they can.
Melissa Elders, Community Outreach Lead, Healthwatch Sandwell
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We'd love to hear how Life in Community has helped you or someone you know.