Steve’s long history with addiction came to a head when he began drinking two bottles of scotch a day and using all sorts of other substances. From his first meeting onwards, Forward gave Steve practical advice that he hadn’t heard before. Whenever Steve had given up substances before, he’d always relapsed. Forward taught Steve and that it takes time to rebuild and learn a new way of being.
Forward also introduced Steve to the idea that it’s not enough to just stop using; you need to do some work on understanding and looking after yourself as a whole. Forward reinforced the idea that nutrition and visits to the doctor are important. While Steve was with Forward, he started going to physio, which enabled him to get rid of his walker. He came to see all of that as part of his recovery.
Steve had volunteered with substance use services before. However, Forward implemented a proper volunteer programme that Steve felt he could contribute to on a regular basis.
“They made a special effort to align my volunteer work to my interests and needs,” Steve said.
“I used to accompany the team to facilitate and co-facilitate groups at different hubs and learned a lot from the experience.”
Forward also taught Steve that sharing his lived experience was a good way to connect with others who were struggling:
"Sharing my story gave me an extraordinary ability to connect with and transform people. I discovered I had a knack for it. Sitting in on one-to-ones, I was able to supplement and translate what the key worker was saying to the client. In previous jobs, colleagues would know I’d taken heroin, but that was a part of my past. With Forward, it became a valued part of my present.”
It was Forward that helped Steve get the job he has now with The Hepatitis C Trust. Steve had been helping Forward engage and test homeless people in East Kent for Hepatitis C and really enjoyed it. Forward informed Steve that a job with The Hepatitis C Trust had come up, and so he applied and got it.
“I kept my volunteer status with Forward as I knew there would be opportunities for joint working. I have now set up clinics with Forward in Dover, Ashford and Margate, and I’m in Forward hubs a couple of times a week. I’m also heavily involved with Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and act as a link between NA and Forward’s Dover Day programme, often arranging NA speakers for the it.
“I stay connected with Forward not only because it’s good for my job, but because it’s good for me. I often signpost people to Forward, encouraging them to get whatever help works for them. I usually tell them to give it a decent chance, before deciding whether or not it’s for them, but to never stop trying to get help.”
