A 25-year-old who would have panic attacks leaving the house has spoken of his newfound confidence after joining a support group.

Daz, who lives a stone’s throw away from Ewood Park, said the Men in Sheds programme at Blackburn Rovers Community Trust has 'transformed' his life for the better.

His mum Mary said: “Daz didn’t want to do anything.

“He has come out of his shell since he started coming to Blackburn Rovers Community Trust.

“He was a very indoor person, and he didn’t have the desire to do anything due to his mental health and other illnesses that he had.”

Daz started attending the Men in Sheds sessions just before the pandemic and has been an active participant ever since.

He was said to be very quiet in the first few months, and would only speak when spoken to, but slowly his confidence started to grow.

Daz said: “My life has improved so much. 

“I have been able to do things that I haven’t been able to do before, and it has given me a huge confidence boost. I love meeting up with the group, having a cup of tea and a chat. It is great!

“I would have panic attacks just leaving the house. At the beginning, I couldn’t bring myself to attend every week, but once I relaxed and gained more confidence, I started to enjoy coming along.”

In 2022, Daz wouldn’t have done any of the activities or participate the way he does now. In autumn 2023, Daz went away with the Men in Sheds group to Belfast.

Mary, said: “Daz has started doing other groups now due to Men in Sheds and he is coming out of his flat more, because once upon a time he would just stay inside all day with the curtains drawn.

“The Men in Sheds group has been great with him, and the Belfast trip was an incredible experience for Daz, because he has never been away from us before to go somewhere new. It has had a real positive impact.

“I am very proud of him.”

Daz added: “It is a great group, and all of the guys support each other. It is great that Blackburn Rovers Community Trust run this project, and I will definitely keep trying new things.”