Service Users Feedback
Feedback from Paul’s Place service users
“After losing my brother-in-law to suicide, at a time when life was rubbish due to Covid; my counsellor was very supportive and made me realise life can be good again when at times you think it will never be the same again. I accessed the service, but it also helped me with my relationship, as it went through a difficult patch. Paul’s Place is an amazing service and the work you all do is a credit to every single one of you.
If I could bottle up and give any advice to people who have suffered from a family member passing away due to suicide, it is to access this service. I was unsure at first but is the best thing that I ever did.
Thank you, Paul’s Place“.
– (D.A.)
“I was referred to Paul’s Place by my tutor in Sixth Form. The experience was very helpful. The particular thing which I think was done really well, was not limiting the talking therapy to the topic or issue of suicide or the bereavement caused by it. Suicide is a multi-faceted issue and when bereaved it has a huge knock-on effect on the rest of your life; and that stuff is often what is debilitating day to day not the grief itself. So, I really appreciated being able to come to therapy and just talk about whatever may have been troubling me that particular day even if it didn’t share a direct link to suicide. I would recommend you to others 100%”.
– (R.B.)
“I discovered you on Liverpool SOBS Facebook Group page. My experience of Paul’s Place has been really good. I was very lost and desperate and didn’t know where to turn. I then found a place where I felt people really understood what I was going through. The experience has been invaluable and has helped me so much at the scariest time of my life”.
– (Z.H.)
“I came across Paul’s Place through attending SOBS and also found you on a Google search. I had 20 one to one counselling sessions and it helped a great deal. I did attend the group sessions before we went into lockdown and I have done a couple of zoom group sessions, too.
I would like to thank everyone involved in making me feel welcome and being so understanding, at such a bad time in my life.
I found Paul’s Place to be friendly and understanding when others aren’t and I would definitely recommend them”.
– (S.G.)
“My counsellor made me feel that I was a good person, father and grandfather. I could easily have crumbled as the loss of a loved one hits us in so many ways. From day one, I made the conscious effort not to look for reasons why my son had taken his own life. With the support of my counsellor, I knew if I had my son in front of me now, he would not be able to give me a reason why. I chose to remember him in the positive, that I was blessed to have him in my life for over 28 years and had so many happy memories.
I did question myself as to whether this was the right approach, but through counselling, I became stronger and removed any self-doubt as to whether the approach I had selected to go down was as selfish one.
I would like to be part of the Paul’s Place groups, as going forward I know I will have good and bad days ahead of me and this additional support and contact I believe will be important to me. Also, through the group I would like to understand fundraising options to assist others through the continued involvement of Paul’s Place.
I know I have joined a very special band of people who have gone through and are still going through every parent’s worst nightmare. Whatever, I can do going forward to make sure that even just one family is saved from going through the heart ache that we have been through then that will be an achievement to me.
Finally, without Paul’s Place I dread to think where I would be today, 10 months on from the loss of my son. I cannot thank you enough and I will forever be in your debt. You are quite simply lifesavers”.
– (P.I.)
“The coroner referred me to Amparo, who then referred me to Paul’s’ Place. I had 20 counselling sessions, which helped me so much. It has been such a journey with my lovely counsellor. I was traumatised from finding my dad and I have been supported to be able to work through this and function once again. I would definitely recommend you, as you are such an amazing service. The speed from referral and the length of counselling is just incredible.
It was a very positive experience and I feel so much stronger now from the counselling I received. Thank you”.
– (P.B.)
“The Paul’s Place bereavement group offered a valuable lifeline to me and my family, after we lost my sister. The peer support from the group has been great and the group allows people to talk when they want to talk; and to listen to other people’s experiences. Agnes and Joe do a valuable role hosting the group and they really care about the people who attend”.
– (D.B.)
“Paul’s Place has been a lifeline to me. Meeting others who understand the pain of losing loved ones to suicide. The group sessions give us a chance to talk about our feelings with those who understand. Support and information from Agnes and Joe have made such a difference to all who attend our group and hopefully will continue to do so, for all those who will sadly join us in the future”.
– (S.G.)
“If it wasn’t for Agnes speaking to me at a SOBS support group meeting in Liverpool, I’d have never known about Paul’s Place. I thank you for all for the work that you do, because otherwise I just don’t know what would have happened to me. Regarding my counsellor, Jane – WOW! I put her on a pedestal. I can’t thank her enough. She is fabulous. She helped me realise that talking does help and stopped me feeling like I was going mad. The Tuesday morning drop-in groups are a great help. It’s somewhere we can all let off steam, get comfort from each other and maybe for someone who is newly bereaved by suicide, it may just give them a little glimmer of hope that you can still go on”.
– (P.P.)
“When you lose a loved one to suicide, it changes who you are and how you live your life. How could it not? Almost five years on and at times I still struggle to make sense of what has happened. Also, some days are better than others, but with time and accessing the right support network; the good days will outnumber the bad. I can never thank Kathy, Neil, Helen and all the team, for the care and support given to me, after the loss of my Son to suicide. I dread to think where I would be now, without your help. You were and continue to be my lifeline”.
– (A.W.)
“I started attending Paul’s Place after losing my brother in 2016. I found that counselling was not really for me, but I found the drop in group really helpful. It’s really good to be able to talk to others experiencing the same thing I am; and although I don’t always talk at the groups I still get so much from them by listening to others talk and we’ve made some lovely friends there”.
– (H.B.)
“As far as Paul’s place is concerned, I personally have found it a godsend and I feel I am with friends when I am there. I have been given so much support at a really dark time and I can only sing your praises; as I do all the time”.
– (P.B.)
“Paul’s Place has been an absolute blessing to myself and my family. It’s quite easy to feel alone and overwhelmed after a loss to suicide, but Paul’s Place provides a friendly and welcoming environment; where everyone is heard and supported. Attending group meetings has really made dealing with this loss easier and has allowed me to meet some amazing people in the process. Words cannot explain how thankful I am”.
– (C.R.)
“There is something about Paul’s Place that makes me want to keep going back; and it has to do with real people who understand the devastation and utter heartache that losing someone to suicide leaves behind. Caring, supportive and just knowing they are there is invaluable to me. It gives me hope that one day I might be able to move forward, even if just a little bit”.
– (S.G.)
“Paul’s Place has helped me so much since losing my Mum in July 2019. When losing such a special loved one, you feel that you’ll never be able to live your life properly again; but going to Paul’s Place group meetings every Tuesday morning and the last Wednesday of every month has helped me more than I could have possibly imagined. Full of people who have been through similar to you and no judgement, just plenty of love! Thank you so much to all involved”.
(K.R.)
“Paul’s Place has been a godsend to me and my two girls (both in their twenties), since their Mum took her own life. It allows us to meet up with people who’ve sadly shared the same experience; and we don’t have to explain to them how we feel……..they already know”.
– (C.R.)
“Paul’s Place has been really special for me. I have received specialist counselling which has been vital in helping me heal from the trauma of losing my husband so suddenly. It’s given me the strength to carry on raising our three children”.
– (J.J.)