Find Yourself Again - Go To The Living Room

Thank you very much for opening my blog. My name is Gemma, and I am advocating for The Living Room, which helps get people back on track from anything that has happened in their past. I really want to help this cause which seeks to assist the often ‘hidden’ people in my town, Torquay, by providing friendship and support.  I hope once you have read my blog that you will know and grasp the important work that the Living Room does. 

The Living Room, is a “not-for profit” drop in community cafe, based in St Mary Magdalene Church Torquay. Its purpose is “to create a relaxed, safe and friendly environment where people feel accepted, valued and respected, regardless of their beliefs, background or status.” In addition The Living Room listen to people’s problems and signpost them to appropriate organisations that can help them if The Living Room can’t.

One man that has been helped by The Living Room is Brian. Here’s Brian’s Story. Brian used to live in Scotland with his wife, running a garden nursery business. This business closed down, so Brian and his wife decided to move to the south-west to be nearer their family. Brian soon regretted this decision as it caused the breakdown of his 17 ½ year marriage between him and his wife. After this Brian’s life went downhill even further. He drank too much and ended up in prison. After nine months in prison, Brian got a licence which meant a grant to a half-way house in Exeter, and a job working on a farm.

Once this licence had ended Brian thought he would be OK, but ended up homeless on the streets of Exeter for three nights. He was lucky and got accepted to the Leonard Stocks Homeless Shelter in Torbay. Brian out of sheer desperation went to The Living Room, and 12 months after walking through the door he now has his own flat and a community that surrounds him. Brian also now has a new family with friendship, support and comfort.

Thank you very much once again for reading and taking an interest in my blog. I would really appreciate it if you posted a message below with your thought to the following questions. It will only take a minute, and it will be very valued. If you want to know more about The Living Room, and the work it does across Torbay please visit their website: http://www.stmarymagdalene.org.uk/Groups/165301/St_Mary_Magdalene/Connect/The_Living_Room/The_Living_Room.aspx .

• Have you ever heard about The Living Room and the ways that it supports people in Torquay?
• Do you now feel more informed about what The Living Room does?
• Would you consider supporting the work of The Living Room by:

• Making a donation
• Cake making
• Serving food for those helped by The Living Room

If you do post a response, please can you tell me where you come from i.e. your hometown and country (if outside the UK)?

Thanks once again!
Gemma