"Fab service and always on hand"

About 2 years ago, I was referred to Deb, I was a drug user and never left my home unless really necessary.

Deb impressed me in terms of when I told her about my convictions and drug use and she did not flinch, she did not judge me. She was, however, very clear that if I was high when she met me, she would not carry on with the meeting.

I knew where I stood and I like this.  At the time, I will be honest, I didn't want to work, and lockdown had made my isolation worse which I liked.  Deb prompted me to claim pip.  Then because of covid, we could not meet face to face, so we had a meeting online which was complicated, but we managed it after Deb talked me through how to access online. I am not great with computers.

I got pip which took pressure off me and my family. We looked at jobs, but nothing excited me, but I was keen not to go back to prison so wanted to sort myself out.  Deb was blunt with me and said that if I went for a job smelling of cannabis,  it would be unlikely I would get the job. Cannabis had become a problem. I am a dad, my partner was working a lot and I could not even collect the kids from school. I felt useless.  Deb told me to get a grip in a nice way and told me about CGL. Over that last couple of years I have reduced my cannabis use,  not stopped completely but now only have one before bed, as it helps me sleep. But cutting down has improved my mood.

I recently got back in touch with Deb as my pip review sent me into a panic. She got me in touch with Jole at the ark, and he helped me fill out the stuff again.  Joel asked me about how often I leave the house and i said not that often. He said i might be able to volunteer there and I am having a think about this and might be something I look at.  So despite deb not working with me anymore, she has had an impact over the years and it is comforting to know she is still around. It's taken me 2 years to figure out how to do this online for deb, but my missus had helped too.  Keep the good work up deb you are sound.