When someone comes to Derby City Mission for help, they’re never just a number or a case — they’re a person with a story. Our teams work together to offer care that supports the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.

Recently, a man was referred to our My Place team by Derby Homes. He moved into one of our supported properties and quickly began engaging with staff. Life hasn’t been easy for him — he’s battling addiction, struggling with his finances, and facing ongoing physical and mental health challenges.

Our My Place staff have walked closely alongside him, offering daily support, practical help, and encouragement. They’ve helped him manage his tenancy and make sure his rent is covered, while also taking time to listen and check in each day about how he’s feeling.

Recognising that he needed wider support, the My Place team connected him with other Derby City Mission programmes. Through our Community Café, he’s received food and toiletries from the Community Shop. He’s also begun working with our Jubilee Debt and Advice Clinic, where staff are helping him build a realistic budget and find a way to manage his money better.

Because of his health, stopping drinking suddenly would be dangerous, but he’s working closely with medical professionals and our team to follow a treatment plan that will help him move towards recovery. Our staff are even accompanying him to appointments when needed, offering encouragement and advocacy when situations become difficult.

Along the way, he’s found something new to take pride in — painting. He’s started creating canvas art, and each piece he completes brings a growing sense of confidence and hope for the future.

Stories like his show what makes Derby City Mission’s work so distinctive. Our programmes — from My Place to the Community Café to the Jubilee Project — all play a part in helping people find stability and rediscover purpose.

This kind of joined-up care changes lives. And it’s only possible because of the incredible dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters. Thank you for standing with us as we walk alongside people in Derby who need a helping hand and a fresh start.