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Andy, one of the
many inspiring
participants of
the campaign,
tells his story
‘ThingS are So
differenT now...’
past
Share
our
belief!
‘Forward has been supporting
people with criminal
backgrounds or drug and alcohol
problems to turn their lives
around for over 25 years,’
says Forward Trust CEO Mike
Trace. We know that if we show
a belief in their ability to make a
positive change, and give them
the opportunity to prove
themselves, they can do
amazing things.
We back up this belief by aiming to have a high proportion of all our staff,
apprentices and volunteers with ‘lived experience’ – either a history of
drug/alcohol problems, or of offending. Currently, a third of our 400 salaried
staff, all of our 20 apprentices, and 80 per cent of our 150 volunteers, report
that they are in one of these categories.
We want the general public and employers to share our belief in this
untapped potential and do something to support people to be more than
their past.
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It started how it does for so many: I
was a social drinker. Like a lot of
people, I started drinking in my mid to
late teens, but it started to escalate in
my early twenties. Then I started to
get into drugs as well and things just
spiralled out of control from there. I
lost relationships and jobs because of
my drinking and using. Soon I felt like
I’d given up and my addiction became
even more entrenched. I started
committing crime and was in and out
of court all the time.
I first went to rehab in 2003. I
stayed completely sober for three
months, but deep down I didn’t think I
had a problem with drink. When I
moved into my own place, I struggled
to pay my bills and I soon turned back
to drink, which led back to drugs.
Although I was in a better place, doing
my best to look after myself for the
next few years, I couldn’t let go of
drugs and alcohol altogether. In 2015,
I moved from Sheffield down to my
mum’s house in Surrey, where I was
still drinking and using. She tried to
help but I still wasn’t ready to change.
The grief of my dad dying in
October that year made my addiction
worse. I just couldn’t put drugs and
alcohol down and things were
getting steadily worse. Then I had
one of those life-changing
conversations with a friend and
something inside me clicked – I knew
I needed to get sober. That was in
February 2016, and I haven’t touched
a drug or a drink since.
Around the same time, I was
introduced to Transform Housing and
Support, who supported me into one
of their dry houses (supported
accommodation where residents
must remain free from drugs and
alcohol). With the support of a friend
I made in the Transform house, I
learned to cook and look after myself.
A month after I got sober, I
started volunteering and attending
fellowship meetings. I’ve found this
has been so helpful to my recovery –
giving me a structure and a purpose
to my life. Since I found recovery, I’ve
got back into things I used to like but
hadn’t really had the time for – like
fishing and cycling. I loved fishing as
a child but in active addiction, it just
fell away. Now I go whenever I can –
either with a friend or by myself –
it’s a really great way to have some
quality thinking time.
In 2017, a friend introduced me
to The Forward Trust. They supported
me to start a level 2 qualification in
peer mentoring and also ‘meet and
greet’ training. I now do meet and
greets for them – meeting a Forward
prison client at the gate on the day
of their release and supporting them
with things like appointments and
getting to rehab or supported
accommodation.
I also volunteer in a charity shop
and cheered on Forward fundraisers
at the London to Brighton bike ride.
It was such a great day and I felt
really proud to be involved in the
charity – plus I love cycling!
It took me a long time to get
where I am today, but I’ve worked
hard and things are so different now.
I cycle every day, even when it’s
raining cats and dogs! Once I’m on
the bike, it’s like a form of meditation
for me and really helps me to switch
off. I’m giving back to a great
organisation, learning new skills and
I’m hoping to apply to do Forward’s
apprenticeship scheme soon.
My mum is so proud of me and
how far I’ve come, and I’m proud of
me too. I’m living proof that people
can change their circumstances.
October 2019 | drinkanddrugsnews | 7