A RECOVERING addict set up his own community group to support those who are "struggling with the same things" he has been through.
After struggling with drug and alcohol abuse throughout his early adulthood, Matthew Molyneux, from Windle, spent time on the streets with poor mental health.
On a long road to recovery, Matthew finally got the help he needed and began researching the best ways to help others overcome the issues he faced.
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With a desire to give something back after his journey with addiction, Matthew felt it was urgent to set up a community group to support those with addictions during the pandemic.
Formed in August 2021, the Come Together Hub initially focused on addiction but has "far exceeded the expectations" of its founder with the support that it now provides.
Aiming to provide a wide-ranging support network, the Hub offers outreach programmes for the homeless, support groups for those with mental health problems, and numerous wellbeing activities for people in the community.
Matthew, 45, said: "After going through my own recovery, I noticed that there were still a lot of people struggling with the same issues as I was in St Helens,and that addiction was still prevalent.
"After getting help, I've always wanted to give something back and in particular to those struggling with addiction, so I decided to finally do something after seeing people struggling during the pandemic."
After just more than a year in operation, the Come Together Hub reaches around 80 people a week through its meet-ups and activity programme.
At various locations in St Helens, they provide activities such as football, yoga, and allotment sessions, but hope to move to their own facility as the group continues to grow.
Matthew added: "The group hasn't received any funding and is purely run by volunteers who are just the best people and have compassion in abundance.
"When the group started, I never would have thought we would provide some of the activities that we do and it has far exceeded the expectations I had for it.
"We have people who come here who don't have anybody else, sometimes just for a chat, and I think we have created our own little community here."
The Come Together Hub works alongside other wellbeing services across St Helens. For more information, you can find their Facebook page here.
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