More than just a wage packet, research shows having a job we enjoy builds self esteem and improves our quality of life.
For Ariko, returning to work was central to her recovery after a difficult period with her mental health. Frequent moves as a child meant she often felt lonely and isolated. Channelling her energy into what she could control, she pushed herself to excel, not sharing how low she was feeling. She now recognises the pressure she put herself under.
“I couldn’t tell anyone how I felt because it was too big.”
University during the COVID-19 pandemic led to constant anxiety. As her mental health declined, life at home and work became untenable.
Referred to Mersey Care for support, Ariko received employment guidance through The Life Rooms. There, she met Arthur Cosgrove, part of Mersey Care’s IPS (Individual Placement Support) employment service.
Employment Specialist, Arthur says, “Work was important to Ariko. We help people find jobs that are right for them, which fit their skills, confidence and circumstances.”
With Arthur’s support, Ariko found a part time role with a footwear retailer. He stayed in regular contact with her through the first six months.
“Getting back into work gave me routine, connection with other people and a sense of purpose.”
“Arthur really took the time to make sure it was manageable,” she says. “He wanted it to be something I could sustain, without it becoming overwhelming.”
As her confidence grew, so did her hours and responsibilities. Ariko is now assistant manager and is enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
“Being championed by Arthur gave me the motivation I needed. He helped me believe in myself again.”
Arthur adds, “Seeing Ariko’s progress has been fantastic. She’s a great example of how the right support can help someone rediscover confidence and independence through meaningful work.”
For Ariko, the journey is about more than employment. “It’s about feeling capable again. The future is looking much brighter.”
It takes a lot of hard work to keep an allotment up to scratch and productive, but with Colin’s enthusiasm for gardening work, our Life Rooms plot has become a real asset for our service users.
Colin generously shares his practical skills and knowledge with other Life Rooms learners, helping to create a positive and supportive environment. In 2025, with encouragement from our Health Educator Simone, Colin began studying for a Level 1 City and Guilds Horticulture qualification with Myerscough College. He has now achieved Level 1 and is undertaking Level 2.
Through the qualification, Colin is now thinking about possibilities for a career in horticulture, gardening or at a plant nursery. “The course is great, it’s worth getting up at 6am to travel for. We’re getting more in depth about seeds and spacing between plants. I’m meeting people from all over Merseyside.
“The Life Rooms has had a positive effect on me. It’s given me confidence to go out there and do stuff, meeting new people like on the course. It wasn’t scary at all.”
“If you ever doubt yourself, believe you can do what you want to do, keep faith. There’s no such thing as I can’t, because you can!”
After losing his dad, James struggled with loneliness and depression. As part of his recovery, he joined the seven week ‘Making Music’ group run by Liverpool Philharmonic at The Life Rooms and has never looked back.
Though he had never played an instrument before, he embraced the chance to test strings and tap keys until the rhythmic jingle of the tambourine stole his heart.
“When I lost my dad, something was missing in my life. I had no confidence and didn’t socialise much. Coming to The Life Rooms helped, but I wasn’t sure about the course at all at first. Now I’m hardly the same person I was before – it’s opened a door for me, I believe I’ve found my real niche in life.
“I have got strong new friendships from playing music in the group and I love playing the tambourine. It’s so interesting how you can hold it and shake it to make lots of different sounds.
“I was a shadow of the person I am now. I’ve done another course in musical theatre with the Liverpool Everyman through The Life Rooms, I’m thinking of going back to college to study music and drama and I’ve booked lessons with a vocal coach on my day off from work.”
“Being around music with other people helped me in my darkest hours. If music didn’t exist, I’d be a different person.”
Karl* was referred to Healthy Knowsley in mid 2025. He had recently experienced homelessness and was due to start a new tenancy. His BMI was 18, indicating under nutrition, and he was also receiving support from Change Grow Live (CGL). Karl presented with limited resources, low stability, and minimal support from his housing provider.
Our Wellbeing Coach sourced a donated cooker and essential kitchen items through community contacts, identified food banks that Karl could consistently access, and liaised with Karl’s housing provider and CGL to ensure coordinated support. From this:
- Karl successfully moved into his tenancy with essential items in place,
- Karl gained the ability to prepare meals independently, supporting improved nutrition and wellbeing,
- Food insecurity was mitigated through targeted support,
- Karl reported feeling more settled, supported, and able to manage daily living tasks.
Karl’s story demonstrates the value of flexible, community based intervention and strong partnership working to support people’s
independence and wellbeing.
*name has been changed
A packed comedy club on any Friday night in Liverpool is a tough crowd for any stand up. But 80-year-old Maureen’s performance at the Hot Water Comedy Club brought the audience to its feet. Not only was this her first ever stand-up appearance, she came to the stage via a course designed to improve mental wellbeing.
Maureen is a service user at The Life Rooms in Walton, where the opportunity to meet people and learn new skills has helped her work through sever post-traumatic stress, she signed up for a comedy course in The Life Rooms to “find [her] sense of humour again”.
Over six weeks, Maureen and nine other service users attended Laugh for Life at The Life Rooms, a comedy course founded by Liverpool comic Henry Churney, culminating in a performance on stage. Participants crafted their own material, practiced projection, and were able to see their experiences through a playful lens.
Maureen’s deadpan delivery of one-liners brought a standing ovation and rapturous applause. Although her stage appearance was nerve wracking, Maureen felt elated after her debut and has plans to continue performing.
“I’ve had low self esteem and not much confidence most of my life. On stage I am my natural self – it’s mundane and ridiculous at the same time. But making people laugh really felt good.”