Ed is middle aged and has longstanding physical and mental health issues. He comes to the café at Number 72 most days we are open.

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'I get very down with everything in life – I’ve had a stressful time with losing people in my family, I feel suicidal most days. I’ve got nobody where I live, so I stay at home and I don’t go out.

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'Then I heard about Number 72 and that they help people like me. At first, I had a job to get the courage to come in through the door – but once I did, I found it’s a very warm, friendly place to be, it’s like family and everyone is treated the same. They don’t jump on you or judge you like some places do, but they don’t leave you on your own either if they can see you want to talk. They give me coffee and tea, they’re really kind and they accept me as I am. Certain things can knock me off balance, like dealing with bills and stuff, but the people here understand that and they help me with those practical things too, when I find it too much.

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'Lots of people round here have mental health issues and it’s a real job to find support. Statutory services want to try to make you better, but sometimes mental health problems are just something you have to live with and you have to find a coping mechanism. A lot of places you go for help, you’re there with people who have got problems with drugs and stuff and they’re loud and people like me are quiet and so we don’t get heard. But here at Number 72, we do. They’re like a big family and I love them to bits.

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'I found Christianity here again too – although you don’t have to be a Christian to come here. But my faith helps me too.

When other people come through the door here, I can see straight away if they’re struggling like me, and I try to help them like I’ve been helped. I want to give something back.

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'This place is a backbone for people like me. It’s like another home and it gives me something to live for. But it really needs money to keep going. If I had a million pounds I’d give it to them. I’d hate for this place to close because there’s just not another place in Sudbury that’s like it. Number 72 is my support and I don’t know how I’d survive without it. I think a lot of people who come here would be lost as well.'