Through working with Your Support, Tom has been able to stop drinking which has improved his physical and mental wellbeing.
One Stockport #One Heart #One Future
Tom’s Story
‘After an accident, I started drinking heavily and I ended up in hospital and was given Stockport Support Hub's number. I didn't know what to expect, I didn't like to admit that I needed help. I was in so much pain, my drinking was out of control and there was so much to sort out - I didn't know where to start. I had been diagnosed with PTSD, depression and anxiety five years ago and my symptoms were so bad, I couldn't leave the house. I was falling apart’.
Tom was referred to Your Support and worked with his Key Worker taking small steps to improve his confidence and wellbeing. Together, they applied for Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments and referred Tom to START to access an alcohol worker. Over time, Tom has detoxed and has been abstinent from alcohol for 8 weeks, attending Alcoholics Anonymous groups weekly. Your Support also referred Tom to Beacon Counselling and he is looking forward to starting therapy in the coming weeks. Tom’s resilience has already grown and he feels positive about the future.
‘Thanks to my Key Worker I am coming through the other side of the tunnel. At my worst, I couldn't phone the Job Centre or pick up prescriptions.
My Key Worker helped me with these practical things. He was very genuine. It was the first time in my life I'd experienced anyone actually listening to me. He'd say, "everyone needs help sometimes". He's seen me at my worst, balling my eyes out and super anxious. He'd never tell me what to do, just offer advice or say "have you considered about thinking about it this way?". He would tell me to take things one day at a time’.
He was very caring- when I was detoxing, I was struggling to keep any food down. He called the GP for advice and they prescribed me medication. He googled what sorts of foods were the best for me and what would stay in my stomach! This sounds like a small thing but it made such a huge difference to my health at that time.’