‘Chris’ – not his real name – first heard about A Better Tomorrow in 2021. He was about to be made homeless due to his drug use. His key worker from Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery System (STaRS) got in touch with the project on his behalf.
‘Chris’ had been drinking and using drugs since the age of 13. He had cycled through all the party drugs and eventually in his mid-twenties developed a habit with heroin. This completely took over his life leading to his redundancy from work and a breakdown of all his relationships.
When he was at his lowest and struggling with both heroin and crack cocaine and close to being homeless, A Better Tomorrow entered his life.
A member of the team came to see him and discussed all the possibilities of changing his life.
When he first joined the project, he was controlled by anxiety and fear. He struggled with the groups, the meetings and shared living.
Through the patience, understanding and tolerance of his support workers he gradually began to see the benefits of everything they were asking of him. He gained the confidence to start facing his anxieties, he started sharing in meetings and groups and eventually even started leading an AA meeting.
After just under a year in the project ‘Chris’ was asked about volunteering and with not a little trepidation he accepted. After completing some educational courses and volunteering a few days a week his confidence began to grow. A year after starting to volunteer he applied and got a permitted hours contract.
He lived in the project accommodation for a total of 2 years 8 months and then moved into his own property and began independent living for the first time in a long time. Shortly after moving into his own home, a full-time position of Team Lead became available at A Better Tomorrow. He submitted his CV, did an interview and was successful.
“I will be forever grateful beyond words for what A Better Tomorrow has done for me. The project not only saved my life, but it also gave me a life beyond my wildest dreams. I come to work everyday to a place that gives me the opportunity to try and pass on to others what was so freely given to me.
“I feel the A Better Tomorrow project is leading the way in Recovery. I would recommend anyone struggling with addiction or mental health problems to reach out to us. There is a life free from addiction for anyone with the courage to take it.”