Sunderland supporter James Stanness overcame a number of heart-breaking bereavements and found a new community after volunteering with the Foundation of Light.
James, aged 66, was referred to the Foundation's Wear Together programme by his GP after losing his mother, sister, and two dogs within the same year.
He found himself in a very bad place with an overwhelming level of mental stress. Having followed the advice of the nurses and getting in touch with the Foundation, the opportunities to regularly get out of the house and socialise at the Beacon of Light helped James find his smile again.
Foundation of Light staff supported James further as part of their befriending phone calls initiative, where he would receive a call from a staff member for a weekly check in and chat.
Continuing to regularly attend the Beacon, James became a registered volunteer with the Foundation and began supporting staff on the sessions and helping other participants.
He then signed up to the Game of II Halves programme to become a mental health ambassador and enhance his knowledge and skills around mental health and suicide prevention.
Game of II Halves raises awareness around mental health issues and suicide prevention, offering support to those who need it.
Now a recognised community ambassador, James continues to volunteer and use his knowledge to help others.
While the feeling of loss of loved ones never goes away, James has been able to move forward in his life and find happiness with his new community, a community that he plays an active role at the heart of by volunteering to support sessions and as a mental health ambassador.
James has found his experiences with the Foundation of Light programmes very rewarding and admits that: “without these special people, it would have been a different story.”
James will be at the Stadium of Light for a special pitch side presentation as part of EFL Community Weekend ahead of Sunderland's game with Hull City on Friday.
He will join staff and fellow ambassadors from the Game of II Halves programme, to celebrate the good work being done.