"You changed my life..."

Adam --

Adrian --

Adrian left a surveying job overseas after he turned 60, moving back to the UK. He took a few months out and then began to search for a job which would keep him in the UK.

The less-than-fruitful job hunt was having a profound impact on Adrian, who admits: "I just wasn't used to rejection."

He says: "I was dejected and felt 'past it', and decided to contact LionHeart. Speaking with LionHeart for just 5 minutes brightened my outlook immensely.

"The expert help and assistance I have received, at zero cost to me, has been remarkable."

Adrian was given help to make his CV more concise and punchy and some support preparing for job applications and interviews. His new-look CV led to invitations to numerous interviews and he later accepted a director-level position after a long 18 months of unemployment. 

The very same day he'd signed on the dotted line, he received another offer of employment - like waiting for buses, as he puts it.

He added: "I honestly believe that without the high quality expertise and advice that LionHeart plugged into my quest to secure a job, I would still be unemployed."

Adrian agreed for LionHeart to share his story. Picture above posed by model.

Ahmed --

The path to APC can often be a bumpy one, and not without its stresses - but one candidate supported by LionHeart had to flee a warzone to sit his final panel.

Our APC support is accessed by candidates all over the world and our support officers try to be as flexible as possible to accommodate this. But one request to change a slot was a little more unusual than most.

Middle East-based geomatics surveyor Ahmed Ismail and his family had travelled to Sudan in April 2023, planning to celebrate Eid with relatives, when war broke out and they were forced into hiding.

Support officer Tracy Evans said: "I received a message from Ahmed apologising he wouldn't be able to make the appointment. He said he'd had to leave everything behind but he would borrow a laptop when he was somewhere safe to get back in touch!

"Of course, we were very concerned for his safety so I was relieved when he did contact me as promised and we arranged to go through his presentation for his final panel, which he'd had to start again from scratch."

Ahmed and his family spent three days taking rural roads to Port Sudan City where they boarded evacuation ships. 

After passing his final panel he said: "LionHeart was an invaluable source of support throughout my APC journey and in particular preparing for the final assessment interview, helping me refine my presentation until I was confident and ready."

Alan --

Alan* was suffering from anxiety and depression, made worse by the recent death of a parent and subsequent legal issues over settling the estate.

He was in poor physical health and had also been unemployed for some time.

LionHeart offered regular telephone support and a monthly grant for a period of time to ease the pressure on Alan. A referral for initial legal advice was also given.

Support continued while Alan dealt with the probate issues. He later went on to secure a new job and made a fresh start in a new home.

He said: "My financial circumstances were at an all-time low. The financial support LionHeart gave me was an obvious relief, but also the emotional support provided helped me to cope with my anxiety.

Anne --

Anne* had been out of the surveying profession for close to 18 years after taking a break to raise her family when she came across a LionHeart return to work webinar.

She had been thinking about trying to restart her career now her children were older but, at the age of 50 and after so long out of the workplace, wasn't sure where - or how - to begin.

The webinar gave her a good starting point and, having found out more about the one-to-one support LionHeart could also offer, she decided to get in touch.

She said: "LionHeart provided advice and support and also referred me to career experts who were able to advise on strategies for returning to the workplace."

As well as input from our employment experts, Anne had regular check-in calls with her LionHeart support officer and some coaching sessions to help build her confidence.

Rating the services she'd received from LionHeart a top mark of 100, she explained: "The support motivated me and gave the confidence to persevere with the idea of returning to surveying after an 18-year career break."

After six months, Anne managed to secure a new job in London. She is now looking forward to a new chapter in her working life.

Find out more: Back to work support

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

Alice --

Alice*, a surveyor in her 20s, called LionHeart when a stressful situation at work was beginning to have a real impact on her mental health.

We were able to offer her a referral for legal advice and a course of counselling, with a support officer regularly checking in between sessions.

She said: "My work environment had caused my mental health to deteriorate and I was struggling to get through each day without panic attacks. I wasn't sleeping and frequently broke down in tears."

Some initial legal advice really helped Alice and, working together with her counsellor, she gradually felt strong enough to make some decisions and move forward.

She added: "LionHeart was amazing at getting me through that incredibly difficult time in my career. I was given a structured programme by my counsellor that enabled me to put my life back together when I was at an all-time low.

"I felt extremely supported throughout; I never felt judged or that my worries were insignificant. I owe my recovery to the staff at LionHeart and would recommend them to anyone who needs their assistance."

Find out more: LionHeart counselling

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

Becky --

Becky, a chartered surveyor in her 20s from London, found herself without a job at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. 

She got in touch with LionHeart in April 2020, in the unfortunate position of having left one job but due to start a new one a few weeks later in May.

Unfortunately, her new company then withdrew the offer of employment, leaving her ineligible for government furlough support, and without any income at all until her jobseekers' allowance and universal credit benefits started to come through several weeks later.

We were able to authorise a monthly financial grant very quickly and, along with regular telephone support from a LionHeart support officer, we also referred Becky to our legal helpline for some initial advice on employment contract law.  

Struggling mentally with her situation through lockdown and feeling really anxious about her future, Becky accepted a course of counselling with LionHeart. As she began to look for new job opportunities, she also had some sessions with one of our external employment partners, who helped her revamp her CV and prepare to enter the jobs market at an uncertain time.

Becky said: "LionHeart was the greatest support during my time of need. The counselling service was outstanding, especially during the lockdown period. In addition, the financial aid given to me helped me with my living expenses while I was looking for work."

Less than six months later, Becky finally started a new surveying job and was back in the workplace looking forward to a more secure future.

*Name changed to protect privacy. Picture posed by model

Carol --

Carol* got in touch with LionHeart when after her husband, a chartered surveyor for over 40 years, died following a short illness.

She’d found a card with LionHeart’s details on among her husband’s belongings and decided to call to ask whether we could offer guidance on wills and the probate process.

She said: “The initial phone call to my case support officer was incredibly helpful. She was kind and supportive and offered help at a time when it was most needed, flagging up the legal advice helpline and offering bereavement counselling.”

Our legal advice partners were able to help Carol with some queries she had about settling her husband’s estate.

She added: “Talking with my counsellor, has been invaluable, offering me support as I navigated not only my husband’s loss but also the impact that had on an already fragile family situation. Our sessions really helped and his understanding and well thought-out challenges to my thinking have been really useful.

“My husband was a member of RICS for about 40 years; he knew about LionHeart but would never have dreamt how much it would have helped me. I am welling up now just thinking about that.

“Thank you to everyone at LionHeart but especially to [my counsellor].”

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

Daniel --

Daniel* was struggling with the pressures of work and had recently been diagnosed with ADHD when he contacted LionHeart for support, saying: “I was experiencing an episode of burnout caused by stress and anxiety.”

We offered regular support calls before Daniel took up a course of CBT therapy with one of our specially trained counsellors.

He said: “Undertaking counselling and CBT with LionHeart had a radical impact on my self-confidence as well as my ability to manage my workload.  My counsellor offered practical and achievable guidance that slowly helped me to regain control of my career and personal life.”

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

David --

Having often made donations to LionHeart over the years, Kenyan chartered surveyor and businessman David never dreamt he might one day need our help himself.

But he found himself in a precarious position and not sure if his social housing enterprise would survive the hurdle of the pandemic.
He said: "With Covid coinciding with a few business and personal situations, life became challenging financially and I found myself in my most vulnerable
financial position ever."

Our financial support officer guided him through the process to apply for a grant to help cover his basic outgoings and keep his family home.

He said: "It ensured I could focus on sorting out the problems rather than stress about losing my home. It allowed me to focus on keeping the business afloat and on surviving through to 2021.

"Without these funds I don't think I could have managed, but we've now
stabilised the business, kept the team working and at least got some income.
"A huge thank you to LionHeart. Your support officer was supportive, relaxed and easy to open up to; so reassuring during these difficult times."

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

Della --

Della* called LionHeart to enquire about an emergency grant after her home in Wales was badly flooded during a storm, leaving her and her family temporarily homeless.

She said: "A colleague had reminded me that LionHeart could provide assistance to surveyors in difficult times. 

"Having recently returned to work following maternity leave we had no savings or financial back-up left, and were struggling to get back on our feet while the insurance claim was sorted out. Buying items that needed immediate replacement -the baby's pushchair, school shoes and bags - left us feeling concerned for our finances."

Della spoke to a LionHeart support officer, who fast-tracked an emergency grant for the family.

Della said: "The help LionHeart offered was honestly a life saver. Taking the pressure off financially allowed us to focus on dealing with everything else to get our insurance claim started and accepted, find temporary accommodation and settle our three children at what was such a traumatic time for them."

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

Edward --

Chartered surveyor Edward* was struggling with stress at work, while balancing the needs of his disabled wife who needed increasing support at home.

It was his wife who initially suggested he contact LionHeart to get some support around stress management, because she was concerned he was heading for serious health problems.

He said: “My wife suggested I needed help dealing with the exceptional amount of stress I was under; a combination of a very stressful work environment and my wife battling a disability at home.

“My LionHeart counsellor was incredibly good and armed me with the tools to understand the sources of my stress and how to manage them effectively.”

Edward said he believed the counselling sessions have given him lifelong tools to cope better, adding: “[My counsellor] was very good at steering me to identify ways in which I was causing myself even more unnecessary stress. Some of the strategies I have put in place with her help will assist me for the rest of my life.”

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

Emily --

Emily* initially contacted LionHeart after the very sudden death of her father left her reeling with grief. 

Returning to work after two weeks, she explained: "I found I was really struggling with my grief - to the point where it felt like my life was falling apart and I was unable to cope with things."

Emily's weekly calls with her LionHeart support officer became a real lifeline. 

She said: "I cannot fault the service I received. As time went on, the support changed from dealing with the immediate grief to help with other things, such as support with work-related issues and stress. It was such a reassuring constant throughout a period that was so upsetting and uncertain as I was also going through a terrible time with my employer."

When Emily was made redundant a few months later, we were able to help with her CV and interview skills. 

She said: "I can't really put into words how grateful I am for the continual support that I received. I felt that I had someone in my corner who absolutely had my back and taught me to be kinder to myself. I am definitely more able to cope with things in general now thanks to this.

"While I still mourn the loss of my dad and don't think that will ever go away, LionHeart's support helped to make things so much more manageable than they would have been.

"I honestly don't know how I would have coped without you."

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

Ewan --

Ewan* had experienced several major changes in his life professionally and personally when he contacted LionHeart to ask for support.

He'd moved home and job, got married and experienced serious illness within his family, and found himself under increasing pressure from what felt like all angles.

He said: "It was all beginning to feel overwhelming and was affecting my mental wellbeing."

We arranged for Ewan to have regular counselling sessions with LionHeart counsellor Bernadette Antoniou.

He said: "It gave me the opportunity to discuss my challenges with someone who is an exceptionally good listener and was able to offer a helpful, non-judgmental perspective, along with practical suggestions and proven methods.

"The support I received from LionHeart made an immense difference to my life and mental wellbeing. It was a highly personalised and professional quality service - a far cry from a 'tick box' exercise or scripted approach, which was greatly appreciated."

Ewan said the counselling had helped him make positive changes and get life back on a more even keel. He added: "It helped me to shift from feeling overwhelmed and anxious to being able to take action and change some habits for the better. This all made a positive difference not only to my own mindset, but to my relationship and those around me.

"I am hugely grateful to LionHeart and Berni for the invaluable support I received."

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

Gerry --

Gerry suffered a severe stroke which left him unable to drive and work, and ultimately cost him his chartered surveying business.

He said: “We lost our house and my wife and I had to move to adapted social housing. My wife became my full-time carer and was unable to work. Our income had plummeted and we were struggling to survive financially.

“LionHeart offered a generous and immediate grant and counselling for me and my wife. I don't think we could have carried on without this financial support which meant we could pay our bills and I was able to continue with a weekly private physiotherapy session to help with my post stroke condition.

“The emotional support we received both by phone and email was wonderful. I was moved to tears by the kindness of the LionHeart team.”

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

James --

When he first contacted LionHeart, James* had been unemployed for six months after being dismissed from his job and was in the process of taking his former employer to a tribunal.

As the main breadwinner in the family, the situation had left him struggling to support him and his wife and their two children.

LionHeart was able to offer a monthly grant as well as advice on benefits entitlement. A support officer was in regular contact, offering practical and emotional support, and sometimes just a friendly listening ear.

James said: "When I contacted LionHeart I was in a very low place and felt unable to cope. I had no money coming in and debts were adding up. I was going through an industrial tribunal and trying to cope with the stress of that situation while maintaining a normal routine for my family.

"I felt that I was unemployable and had very little confidence."

We referred James to our specialist employment partners, and helped him make changes to tackle his stress and anxiety-related insomnia.

Some months later, James received an out-of-court settlement from his former employers and found a new job. 

He said: "The help and support I received from LionHeart was invaluable. It wasn't just the financial help I received but the conversation, employment support and advice - it made me feel like I mattered.

"Whenever I rang LionHeart, I always felt that I was chatting with friends. I now feel more confident and am looking forward to getting life back on track."

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

Jane --

Jane's life was turned upside down suddenly when her surveyor husband Jim was taken seriously ill at work.

He was rushed to hospital with acute pancreatitis, ending up in intensive care as his organs began to fail.

Jane said: "The speed of it all was an incredible shock. Being a small family firm, we worked together, although Jim was the chartered one - his illness meant that was our income pretty much gone, and we had work and financial commitments we could no longer keep."

Jane found herself on an emotional rollercoaster, trying to keep the business afloat as Jim's condition changed almost day by day.

She recalled: "He would go from being stable to it being touch and go, on and off life support. They didn't think he was going to pull through."

Eventually doctors suggested surgery but Jim was given just 15% chance of surviving, Fortunately, after six months in hospital, he finally came home.

Jane says: "Throughout it all, it was such a comfort to have that contact with LionHeart, that voice on the end of the phone I could rely on. I could ask anything - I could even break down and cry if I wanted.

"Not only was there that emotional support, but the financial support which was so desperately needed at the time. I had banks and tax people on my back, and was desperately trying to keep the business going, but not actually knowing if Jim would even pull through. It was like your worst nightmare.

"I can honestly say I would have lost everything - our house, our business - without LionHeart's intervention. I would not have got through any of it without you."

Jane agreed to share her story. Picture above has been posed by a model

Jimmy --

Jimmy*, a surveyor in his 50s, was at complete rock bottom when he contacted LionHeart after making a serious suicide attempt. 

The support officer he spoke to immediately put safeguarding measures in place, and then supported him with regular calls over a period of several months during his medical treatment and recovery. 

Jimmy said: “I called LionHeart after a serious suicide attempt. My support officer continued to support me and was instrumental in establishing mental health support and also legal advice in regards to my employer and employment status.”

Jimmy was able to access legal advice through LionHeart and later agreed a phased return to work with his managers, with support in place to help him make the transition back into the workplace. This meant he was able to keep his job.
He added: “LionHeart’s staff went above and beyond to help me. The support I received was second to none and I can honestly say saved my life. I am now back at work and in the knowledge I have LionHeart by my side.”

*Name changed to protect identitiy. Photo posed by model.

John --

John* had worked tirelessly and invested heavily to carve out a successful career for himself in property. He became a fellow of the RICS at a relatively young age and worked for one of the UK's top firms.

It looked like he had the world at his feet.

Instead, he found himself suddenly unemployed and single after his marriage broke down, and ended up having a serious mental breakdown.

"It is certainly not how I saw my life panning out," he says. 

LionHeart was able to offer John a financial grant. His assigned support officer made regular calls to offer emotional support and practical help to get things back on track, and he had regular counselling sessions with one of our counsellors. 

As John's mental health improved, we offered specialist employment support aimed at getting him back to work.

He said: "Without a doubt my situation would be a lot worse without the support from LionHeart. I feel very fortunate that such an organisation exists for surveyors, and the staff I have dealt with have been extremely understanding and supportive."

*Name changed to protect identity. Photo posed by model.

Kate --

Kate*, a new mum in her early 40s, contacted LionHeart when she was still on maternity leave from her surveying job after she found out her role was at risk of redundancy.

Her LionHeart support officer discussed her legal rights around maternity leave and also offered a referral for legal advice to help Kate put something in writing to her employer.

Kate also disclosed that her husband was suffering from work-related stress and anxiety and had cut his hours down. She was worried about him and her own position at work, and also worried about the family's financial security as a result.

As well as legal advice, Kate received several keeping-in-touch calls from her support officer, and her husband also began counselling through LionHeart.

Now back in the workplace, she said: "LionHeart was able to confirm the legal rights I had to return to my role following maternity leave and listened to my concerns about my husband and our finances.

"It really made me feel there was someone on my side. (My LionHeart support officer) provided advice and guidance which kept me sane. He also helped my husband access counselling, which he is finding extremely helpful.

"I've always been aware of LionHeart but hadn't thought to call prior to the risk of redundancy. Somehow, I always thought it was for folks worse off than me. I had no idea of the support I would receive and can't thank you enough for being a friendly ear on the phone." 

*Name changed to protect identities. Photo posed by model.

Libby --

16-year-old Libby, the daughter of a surveyor, was suffering with generalised anxiety and there had been repeated episodes of self-harming behaviour. She was becoming increasingly isolated at home and at school. 

Her parents contacted LionHeart, saying they were stressed and worried, and unsure how best to support their daughter or where to turn for help. 

We offered weekly youth counselling through our specialist partners and Libby engaged fully in the sessions. 

Her mother said: “She is almost a different child, which I can only attribute to the counselling. We are very grateful for the provision offered as this has not only had a positive impact on Libby but the whole family.”

*Name changed to protect identities. Photo posed by model.

Mary --

Mary was finishing treatment for cancer when she got in touch with LionHeart. A period of being unable to work had left her struggling to pay the bills, and she was desperate to get back into work to get back on an even keel personally and financially.

Her LionHeart support officer made an initial home visit and then kept in regular phone contact. A monthly grant was quickly agreed to take the immediate financial pressure off while she recovered from her treatment.

Mary, aged in her 50s, said: "I was suffering from acute financial stress and found myself extremely isolated when I contacted LionHeart. The grant allowed me to complete my treatment to full recovery. Your officers were sensitive to my situation and showed great kindness."

Later, LionHeart offered Mary some coaching-style support when she felt ready to resume her career and relocate after what had been a really difficult period.

Mary said: "It greatly assisted me in settling in to my new role. Most importantly it has allowed me to break the habit of a lifetime - working myself to burnout - and to really value my own time.

"For me, that has been life-changing and I am extremely grateful to the highly skilled and insightful support officer who guided me through the process." 

Now in a new job and a new home, Mary is looking forward to a healthier future.

*Mary agreed to share her story under a changed name. Picture posed by model

Matthew --

When Matthew contacted LionHeart, he and his wife were finding it difficult to cope with their two autistic children.

The couple, in their 40s, had no family in a position to help and their local authority had also been unable to offer any support. Matthew's wife had had to give up her job as they had been unable to find a pre-school that could meet their youngest child's needs. 

Matthew said: "It all meant my wife and I were struggling to find any time for each other. LionHeart offered help and advice with trying to find support locally and nationally, and guidance on processes to obtain this support.

"They also offered us a special grant so my wife and I could pay for suitable qualified care to enable us to have some time out.

"Our support officer gave us some guidance, impartial advice and, so importantly, just someone to talk to and offload to - there was such kindness shown. At a time when we were at a very low point, it gave us hope. The Christmas hamper we received was magical and actually brought tears of joy."

Matthew agreed to share his story under a changed name. Picture posed by model.

Michaela --

Michaela Bygrave contacted LionHeart when she found herself at a career crossroads. 

She says: "I had been to some wellbeing workshops set up by LionHeart where they explained a bit more about the organisation. I remembered seeing somewhere that if you were unsure on your next career steps you could contact them. At that time, I was very unsure about whether to stay in my current role or whether to switch firms - or even switch professions altogether."

Michaela's interests lay in ethical development and so the idea of Pointe Michel, a socially responsible real estate consultancy, was born. As she began to get her fledgling business off the ground, she contacted LionHeart for further support.

We were able to help with some of the necessary RICS paperwork and a legal consultation to help address some issues she had. A support officer offered some coaching style sessions as she worked on her business skills and navigated new territory as a self-employed surveyor. 

She added: "What surprised me most about LionHeart was the range of advice available to me. I hadn't been expecting to receive so much of Ben's time as I wasn't technically 'in crisis', but just needed advice and someone to talk through problems with.

"I'd definitely recommend any other surveyors in a similar position to pick up the phone to LionHeart. At no point did I receive any judgement about my career decisions. Also, the service was completely confidential which I know is important to many surveyors as we are in a very close-knit industry."

Nicola  --

Nicola was only in her 50s when her chartered surveyor husband died after a very short illness.

She called LionHeart after finding a card with contact details among his belongings. Initially Nicola had some legal advice regarding wills and obtaining probate, and was offered regular support calls before later taking up bereavement counselling.

She said: “The initial phone call to my support officer was incredibly helpful. She was kind and supportive and offered help at a time it was most needed.  

“Talking with my counsellor was invaluable as I navigated not only my husband’s loss but also the impact that had on an already fragile family situation. His understanding and well thought out challenges to my thinking have been really useful. 

“My husband was a member of RICS for close to 40 years, he knew of LionHeart but would never have dreamt how much it would have helped me. I well up just thinking about the support that was available.” 

*Name changed to protect identities. Photo posed by model.

Paul --

After several years at the same surveying firm, Paul* got in touch with LionHeart after health problems meant he’d been off work for more than six months.

Paul, aged in his 50s, had been struggling with chronic fatigue and multiple other health issues which had led to his GP signing him off work. At the point he got in touch with LionHeart his firm had stopped paying his wages. Paul was feeling very low, worried about the future and his financial stability, and struggling to come to terms emotionally with this change in his health and circumstances.

We were able to offer a referral for free legal advice regarding the situation with his employer, and Paul received regular calls from his support officer as well as counselling from LionHeart.

He said: “The biggest difference LionHeart made was being able to talk to somebody that could be considered a friend, one who had real empathy, without agenda or bias. Without fail, my counsellor called me every week to check in on my health and wellbeing. The service (LionHeart provides) is very much appreciated and just invaluable.”

As Paul’s health has deteriorated and he is unlikely to be able to return to work, he is now being offered support to apply for relevant benefits including PIP.

*Name changed to protect identities.  Photo posed by model.

Paula --

Paula Gonzalez was hugely disappointed when she didn't make the grade at her first APC attempt, following a particularly challenging time in her personal life.

Determined to try again as quickly as possible, she decided to explore the APC support on offer from LionHeart.

Paula explained: "I had a very difficult personal situation right before the first APC panel. I remember I felt hugely disappointed to have failed but when I read the referral report, I realised I'd made some huge mistakes.

"LionHeart was fantastic from the start. I was put in contact with a support officer who organised weekly video calls and support. It meant I managed to review all my weak spots, develop my presentation to another level and just feel more confident. Overall, I felt that I was prepared and [my support officer] was kind and patient at all times."

The extra preparation and support gave Paula the confidence boost she needed to succeed at her second APC panel.

She added: "I would highly recommend anyone trying to achieve MRICS to reach out to LionHeart. It is a great initiative, and the support is very well organised."

Richard --

Richard first rang LionHeart when his elderly mother was terminally ill and receiving end of life care in a home.

He was struggling to cope as he watched his mum - formerly a fit, active and fiercely independent woman - decline mentally and physically, becoming bed-ridden after a fall led to a series of health complications.

Richard had regular calls with a LionHeart support officer during his mother's final few weeks and after her death. Having been brought up with a 'get on with it and put work first' kind of outlook, he said he had been completely unprepared for the impact of the grief he was feeling.

He said: "You helped me understand the grieving process, both while my mother was near the end of her life and in the immediate weeks afterwards.

"My support officer was excellent and really helped me understand, and how to cope with, each stage of grief.

"LionHeart's support made an immense difference. You helped me survive, cope and begin the recovery process."

*Richard agreed to share his story. His name has been changed to protect privacy

• There are many ways LionHeart can offer support after a bereavement, from emotional support and counselling to financial help if bereavement has left you struggling to cope. Find out more here

Rob --

A freak accident at home left quantity surveyor Rob Lamb paralysed from the chest down at the age of 58. 

The widowed dad-of-four suffered a severe spinal cord injury when low blood pressure caused him to faint and fall awkwardly at his home. After surgery he was transferred to a rehab centre but it was clear the house he shared with his sons would need extensive adaptations in order to make it safe and comfortable for him.  

LionHeart was able to contribute to a mass volunteer effort by trades charity Band of Builders to get Rob home. After months of planning, around 60 volunteers from various trades backgrounds carried out a nine-day makeover at Rob's Solihull home, transforming the kitchen, bathroom and creating a downstairs bedroom.  

A LionHeart support officer liaised with Rob's family and Band of Builders to work out how best we could help the family and the DIY SOS style makeover, and help reunite Rob with his family. 

We provided a grant to pay for accessible appliances in his new specially adapted kitchen, with the kitchen itself being donated by Magnet and most of the other construction materials needed being donated by other big name construction firms.  

Rob is now back at home with his sons learning to rebuild his life, saying everyone's efforts had left him "speechless". 

Watch Rob's story video here

Sarah --

Sarah* was put in touch with LionHeart after she sadly lost her husband, Trevor*, a self-employed surveyor, to cancer.

One of his friends and fellow surveyors suggested we might be able to offer advice on how to go about winding up his business matters and dealing with probate issues.

Sarah was also facing some financial issues. The couple's life insurance policy had lapsed and they has been unable to renew it after Trevor's diagnosis. 

A support officer advised her on claiming bereavement payment and allowances, and council tax discount, and put Sarah in touch with a business debt helpline.

She said: "My support officer was fantastic and helped me enormously through those first bewildering weeks. She suggested I might benefit from bereavement counselling through LionHeart."  

Over a six-month period, Sarah had counselling sessions and says: "Each week I began to feel stronger. I was able to open up to my counsellor with my worries, fears and concerns, and discuss all kinds of issues that I didn't want to raise with my children or close friends.

"It gave me the strength to come to terms with the huge loss in my life and the change to our family, to help me to understand my grief and the grief of others who are close to me.

"My one regret is that I wasn't aware of LionHeart when my husband was so ill and undergoing treatment while struggling to keep his practice going. I think he would have benefitted from counselling himself as I know he found it hard to talk to us and didn't want to frighten us."

*Names changed to protect identities. Photo posed by model.

Shaun --

"I honestly don't know whether life is worth living any more."

That was what Shaun Haymer told the LionHeart support officer who answered his call just before Christmas when was out of work due to ill-health and struggling to pay his RICS subs fees.

He'd been ill for some years but doctors had struggled to give a firm diagnosis. Eventually he was told he had fibromyalgia, a condition which can cause acute pain and severe fatigue. This had also taken a terrible toll on his mental health, and left him feeling low and suicidal.

He says: "It had got to a bad stage; I was very desperate and gave up on everything. I had poor concentration and short term memory, aches and pains all over my body.

"When I spoke to LionHeart originally the only reason was to get help for paying my RICS subs fees. When the person on the end of the line was very understanding and caring, it took me by surprise."

LionHeart authorised financial help straight away, helping arrange a concession to cover Shaun's RICS fees and relieve any immediate money worries.

He said: "I'd lost hope that my quality of life was going to improve. I was utterly desperate and isolated. I debated quite calmly whether continuing to live was worth it.

"I was coming into work day after day after day, feeling pretty lousy, concealing any problems I might have - just being really lonely. I think it sometimes takes other people to recognise exactly what you are facing to work out what help you might need. I was very grateful to LionHeart."

Finally, with different medications helping the worst of his symptoms and a better understanding of his illness, we supported Shaun as he resumed his career - finally feeling like he had a future again.

He bravely agreed tell his story on video in the hope that it might persuade others to reach out for help. Watch Shaun's video here

Sita --

Sita* contacted LionHeart after being made redundant from her surveying job out of the blue.

With other things going on in her personal life, it had been a bruising experience which left her professional confidence at an all-time low. She was unsure about how she should move forward and felt it would be helpful to discuss things with a professional.

She said: “I was really apprehensive about the future. I felt my support officer really understood what I had experienced and was totally empathetic but practical at the same time - a tricky double act to pull off!”

Sita received support to refresh her CV and brush up her interview skills. LionHeart was also able to offer some one-to-one coaching sessions which helped her confidence and self-esteem.

*Name changed to protect identities. Photo posed by model.

Stephen --

Stephen had gone through a divorce and was struggling with the lack of contact with his children. When he called LionHeart he had been having suicidal thoughts and "full intentions of acting on them".

He said: "I used excessive alcohol and additional work commitments to push me through it, meaning that I was merely covering over the underlying issues."

Stephen happened to attend a presentation by LionHeart at his workplace and it struck a chord with him. He decided he would make the call to see if we could help. 

He said: "The entire process, from that very first call, was all dealt with in the most professional, compassionate and appropriate way." 

Because he had expressed suicidal thoughts, LionHeart's support staff had to follow certain safeguarding procedures but Stephen was then quickly able to begin counselling with one of our counsellors. 

He said: "The counselling itself was unreal. Each week I felt stronger, equipped with a toolbox of strategies to prevent (those suicidal thoughts) from happening again. I was able to open up and tell my counsellor things I haven't, and probably won't ever tell anyone else. 

"I genuinely don't know where I would be now without the support I received from LionHeart ."  

*Name changed to protect identities. Photo posed by model.

Tom --

Tom had finished treatment for cancer when his wife was then sadly diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. When he contacted LionHeart he was also struggling with the disruption to his surveying practice caused first by Covid and then his illness.

He said: "It was all just overwhelming. I'd supported LionHeart throughout my professional life but this was the first time I had ever reached out to them for help. I am delighted that I did.

"Even the initial calls with my support officer enabled me to gain a sense of perspective and just the feeling that there was someone out there who could support me."

We also offered Tom counselling as he struggled with the impact of his wife's illness, and the implications for their future.

He said: "Counselling has obviously not been able to provide a solution to my ongoing problems, but what it did was to provide me with a sense of order and equip me to cope moving forward, for which I am very grateful."

*Name changed to protect identities. Photo posed by model.

Valerii --

Like so many chartered surveyors, Valerii had a busy life, running his own business and supporting a family with two small children.

But their lives would change forever when war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022. Within a few days, the family’s home in an apartment block in Kyiv was hit in a rocket attack and completely destroyed, forcing them to flee with very few possessions.

After a month of travelling through Europe, the family secured temporary accommodation. LionHeart paid an initial emergency grant to help, and then provided an ongoing monthly grant and employment support for Valerii as he looked to restart his surveying career in a new country.

A letter of thanks sent to LionHeart read: “From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of my family, I want to thank the entire LionHeart team for your support during such a difficult time for all of us. These first one and a half years in a new country have not been easy, as is the case for any family of forced emigrants.

“We've walked a long path of cooperation together. Your financial assistance allowed us to provide for the most basic needs of my family during this initial period and helped create a foundation for this new life. Thanks to your support, my sons have successfully integrated here without major everyday challenges.”

Valerii said the employment support and one-to-one mentoring provided by LionHeart’s partners at Renovo was particularly useful as he looked to adapt to professional life in a new country.

His letter concluded: “We all pray for the arrival of peace. Time flies, times change, but your human support and help during the hardest periods of our lives will never be forgotten!”

Picture posed by a model