Peter's story

I lost my friends, became socially isolated, had no one to talk to and couldn't go out, I felt like a prisoner in my own home. I began to smoke more, rarely ate and lay on the sofa all day. I lost all interest in my personal care and had no confidence in myself.

I first experienced mental health problems when I was 35. I suffered from severe depression and due to this was signed off medically unfit for work. I had been brought up a catholic, but did not think of the church as being a place I could seek help. The social work department told me about the West End Project at that time run by the Archdiocese of Glasgow, and now part of the Mungo Foundation.

I have been a member at the Project for 2 years now. There I have met people who I can really speak to and the helpful staff lift my spirits. I have found that my skills have been brought out through the people attending the project and the staff encouraging me. I have gained confidence and now socialise with different people.

Before I went to the project I was staring at four walls with no motivation or interests. My life has changed so much I now visit friends I have met there and have become a volunteer helping members with computing and literacy skills.