Those of you who attended our recent Celebration Event (see previous blog post) will no doubt have been moved by the reflections of Andy and Luke, two former/current residents of Andrew House.
Similarly, at last year's event we heard from others who have benefitted from the help given to them by Changing Lives Charity's Volunteer Plus scheme and its residential element at Andrew House.
These testimonies, however, are just the tip of a growing number that have given thanks to the charity, its employees and wider volunteer-base, for the support they've received to overcome the consequences of addiction and/or trauma in their lives. But rather than me speaking on behalf of others, here are a few quotes from people we have supported over the past few years...
"This place heals you in places you didn't know were broken."
"I have loved every second of my time at Changing Lives. As I relearn to deal with the world, the team at Changing Lives have fostered such a supportive environment for me, with as much structure or flexibility to suit my needs and let me learn and develop. Working on projects has built my self confidence, allowing my self worth to grow and the additional support of friendship and encouragement that you get from just being around them has let me get back to a better version of myself. While volunteering at Changing Lives I've had a sense of purpose, accountability and independence that I'd been lacking and haven't had in other areas of my life. What's really changed in me is that I've been allowed to see that I have something to offer the world, this has grown and been encouraged, which has in turn enabled me to step out into the world with my head held high again."
"Counsellors I have had in the past have let me down and made my mental health worse but Changing Lives' counselling, the Life Course and how welcoming the environment is, has given me a safe place to come to. I still have very low times, but I know I'm not alone and I have somewhere to come to or someone to phone. I have made real friends here and am more comfortable to be who I am. They accepted me and encouraged me."
"Before I came here, I wasn't too good around people. Most of the time I just wanted to be on my own and just had empty days ahead in my mind. It's great for me to start to build a life thanks to this project at Changing Lives."
"Reflecting on where I was when I walked through the door here, to where I'm at in my life today, I've become a person I didn't think existed. I'm proud to have become a much better person especially on the family side of things and being able to understand things from a different perspective in life...Thanks for everything I've accomplished whilst at Andrew House."
"Andrew House is helping me to change my life. I am settling well, have gained weight and feel better. My friend recently visited me and said it's the best he has seen me looking and feeling in 16 years of friendship."
"I have been at Andrew House now for 18 months and moving on back to the family home. There have been challenges along the way and I have had to change who I was to whom I have become...Today I go home a better husband, a better parent and grandparent. Thank you ever so much."
"I've got my life skills in place from the Life Course. It was worth doing - the leaders were amazing."
"For me, Volunteer Plus (V+) has been brilliant. A place to heal and reset my life and giving me another chance for a better life, and the knowledge I can reach out if needed."
"I'm very aware of my alcohol and addiction to other mind altering substances. I can live without these things and live a good life and have the tools to work around the problems I had when using these."
"I recommend this place to anyone. I'm grateful for the help and support I've been getting."
Well, I'm sure you'll agree these statements are extremely powerful and I have plenty more examples, but I think I'll leave these for a future post. Until then I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all of the people who have given their testimonies above - you have all been so brave, so courageous and so determined. May your futures be ever bright and remember that you have friends here to walk alongside you on your future journeys.
Ant
