A SOLIHULL mental heath activist is celebrating seven years of helping the community.
Teresa Farrell had thoughts of ending her life when the hardships she faced took their toll.
Teresa launched a programme of benefit schemes to give them a better chance in life. She runs the project under the banner of POW, Push On Wellbeing.
Dedicated teams of volunteers are on hand to provide high levels of support at Lily’s Tea Parlour Community Project in Chelmsley Wood and at the Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull.
People facing real struggles in life are treated to three-course Gift Meals served six days a week in Chelmsley Wood.
They can also take part in weekly held wide-ranging activities and book themselves in for an afternoon tea and cream treat.
Teresa began laying out the welcome mat in Chelmsley Wood seven years ago and reckons that in that time, thousands of people will have received vital means of support.
Since then, she has extended friendly caring hands to give people a welcome break at the Touchwood Shopping Centre.
The tables are set at a shop the POW team were given to use without charge.
Teresa said: “I has become a very popular place for people to take a welcome break.
“They are often people living on their own and come to us knowing they will enjoy meeting other people over cups of tea and coffee we serve. Some may want to talk about their problems and we try to help them.”
There is no source of funding but generous donations are made to supply food and other items for people in need and help meet the cost of keeping all lines of service and care in full running order.
Teresa uses her experience of contemplating suicide by giving talks to help other people facing a similar dilemma.
She added: “Someone who was considering taking her own life is now one of my volunteers helping to make life better for those who need support.”
