Liverpool YMCA

My name is Brian. I am 46 years Old.

I have been a heroin addict for over 30 years.

I have also been homeless for long periods of time.

Since coming to the YMCA in February of this year, my life has changed for the better, being here gives me the stability and breathing space to focus on the problems and issues that I have ie: - addiction, housing and work.

A big issue for me is qualifications. My academic history was poor at the start of the year and my job prospects were virtually none existant.

Since then I have gained nine recognised qualifications, from Health & Safety in the Work Place to Level 2 in Housing.

I have also become a Housing Practitioner with the Chartered Institute of Housing, I am also doing a lot of volunteer work with different agencies like, The Basement drop in centre, my main support group in my recovery from addiction.

I am a peer mentor and I go to different hostels around the city giving talks and a presentation on harm reduction to addicts in the community.

I also do some mentoring here in the YMCA and hope to come back and do some volunteer work in the future, once I move on.

Doing volunteer work is important to me, it gives me the experience that I need and is a good way to meet people and to network which will hopefully better my chances of employment in the future.

The end of this year for me is the culmination of 12 months of hard work. My detox comes to an end soon and so do most of my courses, except for my 7303 PTLLS course in January, which is my teacher-trainer qualification.

I would not have gotten as far as I have to date without some help and support.

Everbody needs a bit of help now and then.

We are all human!

I advise you to take any help or support that is there for you.

It helps you in the long run and makes things a lot easier.

That has been the case for me.

We all have problems and like the saying goes, "I get by with a little help from my friends".