Sometimes, the impact of our work isn’t immediately visible, but through reflection, we realise the profound difference we’ve made.

I was supporting a mother struggling with severe mental health challenges and overwhelming loneliness. She had recently had her son returned to her care, and family dynamics were strained. Feeling isolated, she had stopped going out entirely.

In her notes, I discovered she used to visit a local coffee shop, where she had once formed connections. I began taking her there weekly for coffee. Sitting in my car, she would open up about her struggles—her relationships, loneliness, and fears.

After a few weeks, I told her I couldn’t continue taking her for coffee and suggested finding local groups to help her connect with others. She reacted angrily, saying she didn’t want “paid friends” or strangers. But a week later, she joined a social media group for people facing isolation. Soon, she had a circle of friends to meet for coffee regularly.

This small step transformed her life. No longer confined to her home, she found time for herself—not just as a mother, but as a woman rebuilding her confidence.

When I saw her next, she hugged me and said, “You don’t know how much difference you’ve made.”

As our work together finishes, I reflect on the power of small actions to spark change. Sometimes, all it takes is a coffee and a little courage.

*Some details may have been changed to maintain confidentiality