"Given me the chance to give my children a better way of life"

I started volunteering 15 months ago at Inclusion. After going through the service as a client, { at least 3 times} my recovery was in a strong enough place where I could finally give something back.

My recovery had taken me from a woman that rarely left the house let alone the village to someone that could use public transport, come into town, reconnect by sitting and engaging in groups and it gave me the courage to finally look at myself with compassion and forgiveness instead of shame and guilt . My last keyworker supported me through the peak of my alcoholism, where the consequences of my drinking were about to take my children and my home. Addiction had already taken my mental health, self-worth, any respect I had once had and all job prospects, {I wouldn’t have employed me either}.

When asked if I would consider volunteering back in 2022, of course I said yes. I went on every training opportunity I was offered and enjoyed them all but there was always self-doubt, could I really be of any use to other people?, who do I think I am trying to support others, and all the other negative self-talk that went on in my head.

Moving on to my 1st day at Basingstoke hub, stood outside the office door, feeling like a child in a world of grown-ups, not knowing anything even whether to knock on the door or just walk in . {I knocked by the way}

I need not have worried.

Sam mentored me from the start, I started out co facilitating with him and was guided around the computer system, I was also the woman that had been terrified to turn on a laptop, send an email or any of the basics that involved technology. With Sam’s guidance , support, patience and a lot of knowledge sharing my confidence grew, under his supervision I learnt how to manage a small case load of my own and with his {and the team's} encouragement and belief in my abilities as a recovery worker I applied for a post at Inclusion and will be starting full time paid employment soon.

So to summarise, What has volunteering done for me? It has not only given me back all the things addiction took from me internally, it has also given me the chance to give my children a better way of life.

Forever Grateful.