St Mungo’s traditionally works with people experiencing homelessness. But we provide other types of help too, including support for alcohol and substance use. We’re part of a consortium with NHS South London and Maudsley and other providers. Together, we specialise in community based drug and alcohol recovery services.
St Mungo’s also offers employability programmes, access to courses and skills training. We introduce clients to activities they may have never had the chance – or confidence to try before, like sports and art therapy. One of these clients is Nicola, who has been supported by Maddie. Here, they tell their stories of experience at St Mungo’s.
Nicola: “Coming here was the last resort for me – but it was also the turning point.”
My relationship with alcohol began in my teens. I always had my problems and used to isolate myself from the world.
I’d accessed alcohol support services before, but in lockdown I started binge drinking again. This came with a lot of depression. I went through a breakup in my relationship and also lost my job – it all just completely threw me.
I was at rock bottom – destroying everything and everyone around me and I didn’t want to be here anymore.
In 2022, I referred myself to the recovery service. It was either that or I lose my relationship with my family.
I’d been to support groups in the past and had felt anxious doing so. I was always the last one to talk and felt panicked coming back. But I settled into the groups here three days a week, and St Mungo’s started introducing me to other activities.
Escaping my comfort zone
To help my recovery, Maddie and the team slowly motivated me to try new hobbies. Things like boxing, drama and yoga. I felt silly at first, but now I especially love yoga and do it every week!
They’ve helped me build a routine – I’d never had one before, which I think fed into the problems I faced.
I reflect on everything I used to hide away from, and ask myself ‘why didn’t you do these things sooner?’
Building my skills
Last year, I saw a leaflet for St Mungo’s Multi Skills Construction course. Maddie was so encouraging. She knows I get anxious on the underground alone so travelled to the open day with me.
I’m a qualified painter and decorator, and didn’t think I’d have the confidence to get back into this. But the course has changed that. I’m learning plastering, brick laying and other skills – it helps me to escape and switch off.
I was afraid of being laughed at, or people thinking ‘she can’t do it’. But everyone is so caring, and no one judges you.
A new purpose
Maddie and the team are always asking if there’s anything they can help with. They supported me taking part in the Client Challenge – a 30 mile walk over two days!
My recovery is going really well, and now I enjoy the simple things like laughing and meeting new friends.
You can forget what a bad place you’ve been in, but without the help I’ve received I don’t know what I’d be doing.
Maddie: “We help people throughout their recovery, and to find new passions along the way.”
My role at the recovery service is to connect clients to employment and training opportunities, classes and activities.
When people come to drug and alcohol recovery services, it’s a huge step. They often think it’s a clinical setting where they will spend a long time speaking in groups.
But we go beyond that and show the therapeutic side to recovery.
We get to know clients and open their lives to new things they might enjoy, so they want to keep coming back.
It’s incredible to see how Nicola’s confidence has grown since we first met – I’m so proud of her. We help people like Nicola by giving them options, and the freedom to make decisions about what to pursue.
Myself and the team are a constant support to clients. We’re there to encourage them and give them more independence. We’re there at the stage of saying “you can do this” all the way to “look, you’re doing it!” I feel very lucky to be part of that process and see the changes in people as the weeks and months go on.
“Without our supporters, it wouldn’t be possible to do everything we do.”
Having the funds to be able to bring training, workshops, therapies and activities to life is so important. When you support St Mungo’s, you’re helping to make the world of difference.
It means that if we need to help someone buy an outfit for an interview or pay for their travel to a job fair, we can do it.
They aren’t held back from being the best version of themselves, and can thrive in a space they’re happy in.
It’s so rewarding to see how far our clients come, and you are part of making that happen.
