Walking into the premises at Snooker4all we are met with the sound of Lee’s voice as he helps one of the regular visitors, a blind woman who is a passionate snooker fan. His easy manner and friendly chat is contagious, and we are already caught smiling. We introduce ourselves and Lee admits he had completely forgot we were coming! He lets us know there is a group of gents from Lighthouse Homes having a few games upstairs, if we don’t mind doing it with that backdrop, we are good to crack on. We all climb up the stairs to the games room.
Sitting down with Lee you can feel the warm welcome that he gives to everyone that comes to the group to play. He has a calm way about him, and we are at ease instantly.
We start the interview with the obvious question. Why did you put this (Snooker4all) together? Initially he tells us that he has made a video explaining it and it would probably be easier to watch it, but we want to hear it from the horses’ mouth! Looking slightly sheepish Lee tells us that he had noticed that there were a lot of people who were lonely and isolated with mental health issues. Being a big fan of the game, he set up a space in a snooker hall for those struggling, but found with the alcohol and other substances it wasn’t the safest of spaces for those with mental health issues.
He explains what he wanted to do was set up this academy to be a kind of therapy for people. While telling us this he looks around proudly at the room where there are several men playing pool, and one playing snooker alone. He goes on to explain that the young man is non-verbal and has been coming for a while. Lee’s non-judgmental attitude is at the forefront as he says: “everyone has their own story”.
Lee is not only a fan of the game but is ranked eleventh in the world and represents England as a world Disability player, he quips: “I’m number eleven in the world, but I’m gonna be number one ha-ha!”* Lee is married now and he speaks of his wife with love and pride, but it obviously has taken a lot of healing to get him to this place.
Lee’s childhood was not ideal and he tells his story with no malice or anger towards those that caused him hurt. He is open and honest about the struggles he has had throughout his life that have at times driven him to self-harm and even attempts on his own life, but through his faith and therapy it seems he has used his experiences to now be able to help and understand others who, like himself, have been overlooked and misunderstood.
As he comes back to the conversation he starts to explain: “I have Borderline Personality Disorder and Autism, and when I was younger I was not diagnosed so I got put down as a ‘naughty kid’ and put in foster care, kids homes all that kind of stuff”. He goes on to explain how he understands the feelings of rejection and loneliness that the people he supports feel, as he has been there himself. Running this group has turned it in to a positive thing, he has created a space where everyone is welcome and included: “People just need a friend sometimes”.
Snooker4all works with other groups to facilitate the use of his offer, many that work with those in recovery or additional needs, he wants them to be able to attend Snooker4all free of any judgement and says: “ I deal with everyone on a one to one basis, at the end of the day they’re people regardless of being in recovery, they’re people and to me that’s what is important.”
Lee has great plans for the future of Snooker4all and after speaking to him I don’t think anything will stop him from getting it done, as we finish the interview it is evident that he is itching to get back to what he loves, and that is Snooker.
*at going to print Lee had just become number nine in the world, one step closer to number one!
Interview from our zine IT COMES IN WAVES
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