This mission for Mr R was to assemble a flat packed brand new bed base and mattress so they can be discharged to home. Mr R’s carer met me but amongst us we had no tools. A couple of IKEA knives later and the relevant parts were out, leaving a baffling array of screws and bolts. Apparently Ms P who works for the SLAM Community Mental Health Team has never done any DIY, so we divvied up some DIY newbie jobs (her) and DIY enthusiast jobs (me). And what do you know…only bleeding Allen arrived! Saved in our lack of tools plight by not one but THREE ALLEN KEYS in the furniture package.

Assembling the bed took a lot longer than we both anticipated, and I fatigued my ability to squat and screw. With the bed up it looked a little more ready for a comfortable sleep, but truth be told we were both a bit sad that the place hadn’t had a lick of paint or new carpet and curtains, or the rubbish removed for its resident to return home to. Between us we didn’t know whose job it was to fund and think of these touches to give the basic niceties and necessities to people in the borough, but we felt pretty sure there was just no funding available. If you can spare any time to sign up to missions, they really are filling a need in the community.