Z’s story
An adult on our Health and Wellbeing Programme removing from addiction.
My alcohol support worker at Change, Grow Live told me about the Green Light Trust. My life was chaotic before then as I was drinking heavily and was having really bad suicidal thoughts. I suffered really bad with my mental health and chronic depression too.
I joined a course and really didn’t know what to expect but it’s exceeded expectations and then some! This has been an amazing positive step for me. I really like being outside and when I come away from camp it really sets me up for the rest of the week. I’ve made so many new friendships and really enjoy working on the bigger projects like building fences for the camp. Everyone laughs at me as I love my food and the camp lunches are brilliant – I always go back for seconds (or thirds!)
What I love about the courses is that you can do more than one .. it has taken a long time for me to feel as good as I do now and I think I will always struggle with my mental health.
My journey to recovery has been slow and Green Light Trust have been there for me. You don’t just go on one course and then it’s “goodbye” this has been the constant support in my life when I really needed it.
I wrote a poem
What I loved at the Green Light Trust … 🩷
Firstly, acceptance from the outset from the Participant Engagement Co-ordinator who helped me enrol and completed the form on my behalf when I could not.
The Green Light Trust lifted any barriers that could stop me attending.
Acceptance without judgement … no expectations or demands other than to “show up” as and when I could … and this being “okay”.
Being given the support and encouragement needed to try new things in a safe environment and at my own pace knowing it’s okay to try but not necessarily succeed.
Finding some “calm” (from my own mind) in the surroundings.
Giving me the reason to leave the safety of my home.
Being “heard” and having my basic needs met. When I said “I am tired” I was asked “shall we put up a hammock”
Being given the space to be my (authentic) self and to begin recognising that this is enough and okay – a work in progress!
Being able to help and being given help from others (staff or participants) without being made to feel like a “failure” / not good enough.
Finding a “sense of community” by working, relaxing and eating together feeling some sense of belonging as far as I ever feel I fit in anywhere.
Learning new skills and remembering old ones – how to smile and laugh again.
Being given the opportunity to return on another course – in recognition that I am still on my journey of recovery and self discovery (of “who me is”) – and that this takes time.
Restoration of belief that there are people out there who do “care”.
