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Sean’s Place: A Great Escape
This month, we visited Sean’s Place, a men’s mental health charity based in Bootle, supporting over 2,500 men each year through therapy, social activities, and peer support. Founded by Debbie Rogers in memory of her brother Sean, the service began with a single grant from the Community Foundation and has since grown into a vital support hub for men facing isolation, depression, and crisis.
With over £40,000 awarded from donor-advised funds including the FPC Foundation, Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation, the LCR Cares COVID-19 Support Fund, the Mark McQueen Memorial Fund and Peel Ports 500 Fund, Sean’s Place continues to offer a lifeline to those who often feel they have nowhere else to turn.
We sat down with founder Debbie, and two of the men who attend, Callum and Paul, to hear what Sean’s Place means to them, and how it’s changed their lives.
“My name is Debbie and I am the founder of Sean’s Place. I’m Sean’s sister. He was only 14 months older than me, so we were super close our whole life.
When Sean was alive, he was so fun. There was always a lot of laughter when he was around, and he had so much to offer the world. He struggled with his mental health since his teens. He was given medication and therapies, but as a sister, I knew that wasn’t what he needed. What was missing was friendships, laughter, people to connect with, a reason to get out of bed and enjoy life.
He had that in my children, but when they were in school, you could see Sean was lonely. His mental health declined rapidly. He became very unwell and experienced psychosis. He died in 2019. “
When Sean died, I knew that couldn’t be the end. He had too much to offer. I realised there was nowhere for men to go if they weren’t into the gym or football or going to the pub. I was a school administrator, and I just gave it a go. I didn’t know what it would become. The Community Foundation gave us our first ever grant. That gave us a foot on the ladder — money for coffee, tea, games, art. Without that, we might not have grown.
Debbie Rogers – Seans Place Founder
“Now, five years later, we support 2,500 men every year. Men who are just like Sean, looking for connection, for someone to listen, a reason to live again. We offer therapy, activities, and a place to talk.
Sean’s Place exists because there was nothing like this when Sean needed it. But now, in his name, we provide it for others.
Come and see it. You’ll understand when you walk through the door.”
Paul’s testimonial
“A couple of years ago, I went through a messy divorce and turned to drugs to mask the pain. For two years, I locked myself away and pushed everyone out. Then the intrusive thoughts started, telling me I wasn’t good enough, not worthy, no one loved me.
One day I walked into a police station and said, “I can’t do this anymore, I need proper help.” I ended up in hospital, then a psychiatric hospital. When I came back up here, I had nothing but a bag of clothes. A fresh start.
“About six weeks ago, my doctor told me about Sean’s Place. A few days later I got a call: “When you coming in then Paul?” I said, “I’ll be in tomorrow.” I’ve not looked back since. Best decision I’ve ever made. “
Paul
“I hit rock bottom. I didn’t think there was a way out except taking my own life. But with the support here, I realised life is worth living. I’m now 20 weeks clean. No medication, no programme. I just decided I’d had enough.
This place gives me a reason to live. A reason to get up, even if just for two hours a day. Everyone here treats you like a brother. I call it the adult youth club. Coffee mornings, pool tournaments, fishing, sound baths, kickboxing. There’s always something. My calendar is full.
I’ve got real friends now. I thought I had hundreds, but they were just around for the drugs. Now I’ve got my mum and sister back in my life. My mum said the other day, “It’s good to have you back.” That nearly made me cry.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for this place. It saved me.”
Callum’s testimonial
“I’ve been coming to Sean’s Place on and off for about three years. The first time I came, I broke down in tears. I’d always believed men don’t cry, so it hit me hard.
When I first started counselling here, I was at rock bottom. Talking to someone who wasn’t a family member helped massively. I didn’t want to burden loved ones but I also didn’t see a way out. I don’t have those thoughts anymore. This place has helped.”
“It’s grown so much. There’s something on every day for all ages. When I’m here, I forget what’s going on in my head. Everyone’s laughing and joking. You’d walk in and think it was a social club, not a mental health service. That’s what makes it a great escape. “
Callum
“There are times I’ve not joined in, but no one pressures you. The staff and people are lovely, friendly, respectful. You feel safe.
I used to feel embarrassed to tell people I came here. Now I embrace it. I just say, I’m going to Sean’s Place today.
If this place didn’t exist, I honestly don’t know what I’d do. You hear stories of people taking their lives and think If only they’d spoken to someone. That’s why I think the work they’re doing here, especially with the younger generation, could make a real difference in the future.”