Community cafe marks decade helping mental health

A community cafe founded in memory of a man who took his own life is celebrating its tenth anniversary this weekend.

Johnny's Happy Place in Kettering, Northamptonshire, was set up in 2014 by the family of Johnny Mackay, who died at the age of 29 after years of drug and alcohol addiction and undiagnosed mental health issues.

The cafe offers free mental health sessions with trained counsellors, and art therapy.

Johnny's mother, Denise McKay, 76, said: "It's been a remarkable journey. We get more and more people in every week, and what surprises me most is that [the local community] is embracing us, supporting us financially, and becoming involved."

In the wake of Mr McKay's death, his family and friends were determined to honour his memory, and two months later they were offered an unused cafe space that became the foundation for Johnny's Happy Place.

Ms McKay, who previously worked in the hotel trade and now also volunteers with the British Heart Foundation, said the cafe has been her lifeline.

"When Johnny died, I sort of gave up my life. I didn't do anything, I just focused on this," she said.

"Starting a cafe sounded preposterous at the time. None of us had any experience, but I'm so glad it was suggested. Every time I open the door, I'm pleased to be here."

Ten years on, Ms McKay said strangers still share stories about Johnny with her.

"They knew him and they have such wonderful anecdotes," she added.

Johnny's Happy Place will hold its anniversary event at the cafe on 6 July.

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