My name is Mick*. I lived with my elderly mother, but when she was diagnosed with dementia and taken into a care home my life spiralled. NOt being able to live with her any longer I ended up on the streets and struggled with alcohol abuse.

Due to my alcoholism and poor budgeting my first stay at the Ferry Project was unsuccessful, but a few years later I returned. This time they were able to give me a room for 28 days in Destiny Haven, Ferry Project's emergency accommodation, which allowed them time to assess my needs.

They discovered I was severely unwell. While I was no longer dependent upon alcohol, I had lost a lot of weight and was suffering with depression and panic attacks, and my memory was deteriorating to the point where I kept repeating myself in conversations. I also suffered from COPD and poor eyesight.

I needed help. So together with me, Ferry Project created a support plan. Icould now begin my journey towards recovery and independence.

After attending GP appointments and receiving blood tests, I began meeting with a local nurse who offers weekly in-house drop in appointments to Ferry Project clients. Together we began to address my health issues, including setting up appointments with a mental health nurse and an ophthalmologist. The Ferry Project team helped to take me to appointments and collect medication on my behalf.

It was soon discoverd that due to my memory loss I wasn’t taking mymedication. Ferry Project talked to my nurse and mental health worker who wondered whether my previous alcoholism was causing my forgetfulness. They booked a memory test for me and I waithed a long 26 weeks for the appointment. During this time I continued to lose what little weight I had left and was no longer able to walk into town, and I forgot to pay my bills, and struggled to access my first floor room.

I told Ferry Project staff that I though tmy life was coming to an end.

The memory test revealed that I had alcohol-related dementia. I found the diagnosis quite traumatic, but knowing the cause of my memory loss allowed Ferry Project to improve my support plan.

I moved to a ground floor room, which was developed with my specific needs in mind, including handrails and a fridge to allow me access to fluids. They portioned my medication into blister packs and carefully monitored what I took. They supported me to attend counselling, where I began to process both my own dementia diagnosis and that of my mother, whom I dearly missed. I also rebuilt my relationship with my sister, who applied for Power of Attorney to support and protect me.

I was assigned an excellent social worker who helped me to receive a care package. They also helped me to apply for accommodation, but I was rejected because of my previous alcohol use and financial issues. I appealed this decision, and was soon offered a beautiful private flat with access to 24/7 care.

When I told Ferry Project staff the good news I broke down in tears and told them that at last he’d found his forever home.

Not long ago, I believed that my life would end at the Ferry Project. Today, I am living in my own flat and managing my health with support from my sister. My journey was long and rocky, but with the dedicated support of the nurse from North Brink Practice, my mental health nurse, and my support worker, I am living a full and happy life.

*Name changed for anonymity