Simon’s story
In December 2009 I was referred to Liz Bates, a NORCAS Hostel In-reach Worker. I’d become a seven-day a week drinker of cheap, very strong cider. I’d stopped attending my link-works with my hostel workers and was at very high risk of losing my hostel place.
When I first started seeing Liz, we were trying to work on me just cutting down on the cider, which kind of worked at first. Liz got me re-engaging with my hostel link-worker and I was now paying my rent again and trying, with her help, to find more meaningful use of my time. We started by sorting out my benefits, getting me to engage with my doctor, sort out a new dentist and getting me gym membership.
Liz would also support me by making sure I got out of the hostel a few times a week for coffee or a walk in the park etc. She would also attend my tenancy reviews, to make sure my tenancy wasn’t at risk. By attending these with me it soon became clear that my excessive drinking was still getting me into trouble with the hostel staff and that, even though I’d cut down on the amount I drank, I was still drinking every day.
I was soon served a notice to quit and I knew that something drastic had to be done. I had to get on a full-time abstinence based treatment programme. I found a programme, but it was in Ipswich and I needed funding to get there. Liz even helped me with that and also took me to my doctor to get me on a 10-day Librium detox, before I could start the programme.
I completed the programme and, again with Liz’s help, have completely turned my life around. I’ve gone from being on the verge of giving up on life to now having my own place to live and actually seeking a career in advice and guidance. I’ve taken the first step towards that by becoming a volunteer at the CAB in Bury St Edmunds.
I can’t stress enough how much Liz has helped me. It would be a real shame if others out there with similar problems couldn’t access the help and support she has given me over the past year.