About
The Voice Welcome Team - Click images for profiles
| Name | 20th Century Out |
| Gender | Female |
| Age | 32 years old |
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| Substances used | Benzos, heroin, crack |
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| Biog | I worked professionally but started using drugs at the age of 25. I had a detox in Malibu and then relocated to Manchester. I’ve been in ‘recovery’ for 18 months plus and I’m looking forward to starting my PhD. |
| Name | Kyle |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 24 years old |
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| Substances used | Alcohol, weed, speed, ecstasy |
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| Biog | I started drinking at about 13 but never knew I had a problem until just before I was referred to this service. It was the usual story, drink led to drugs at a young age. People told me I had a problem but I never listened. My parents and grandparents are alcohol dependant but my sisters aren’t so I don’t think that’s why. I haven’t drunk for 4 months now and know I never can again. |
| Name | Paul |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 44 years old |
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| Substances used | Alcohol |
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| Biog | I’ve been around alcohol since I was a child. I had my first drink at 13 years old. I was diagnosed with alcohol addiction in 1998 after being admitted to hospital with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. I have detoxed 3 times at home and twice without aftercare. The third time I was successful due to aftercare and more knowledge of why I was using alcohol as a medication. I was able to address why I was using alcohol. |
| Name | Witness |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 36 years old |
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| Substances used | All substances, heroin and crack problematically |
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| Biog | I’ve been involved in committing crime and using substances since the age of 16. I have spent 8 years of my adult life in prison and have been a PPO (Prolific and Priority Offender) for the past 4 years. Since my last conviction and prison sentence I was released into the community to a probation hostel. I had used throughout my prison sentence and upon release I was prescribed 90mls of methadone. I was offered a good package of support that I embraced and have now successfully in the space of 6 months reduced down from 90mls to nothing. I am completely drug free and looking forward to my future. I now have regular contact with my family and daughter, have gained qualifications and will have my own property soon. I will then be looking to start work. I feel confident and happy about my future and it feels good not to be at the attention of the police anymore and by being able to live a normal life. |
| Name | Barrow Boy |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 51 years old |
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| Substances used | Alcohol and drugs |
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| Biog | I started drinking alcohol at the age of 14. It gave me the self-confidence around social situations. I was married at 25 with 2 boys. Drugs crept into my life and gave me a bigger buzz. At the age of 45 my life was a total mess of drink and drugs and my wife couldn’t cope. When she left I spiralled out of control and I lost everyone and everything I worked for. But I finally found recovery and once again love in my life. And now I can live my life without drugs. |
| Name | Snow Poppy |
| Gender | Female |
| Age | 40 years old |
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| Substances used | Alcohol |
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| Biog | I’ve been affected by drink from my early teens. Drink was always problematic on and off throughout my life. I have been in and out of recovery over the last 5 years. This time round I’m working hard on recovery, I am now 8 months clean. When I first came into recovery I didn’t want to live and didn’t feel I could do it but needed to do something for my 13 year old son. As time has gone on I can honestly say I want to do this for myself also, this was one thing I never could have heard myself saying. |
| Name | Tribute |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 44 years old |
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| Substances used | Heroin, crack, everything |
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| Biog | I’ve been on gear for 20 years. I had a traumatic early life. I’ve been clean for 1 year. I’ve been in jails, institutions and drug centres. I’ve been homeless for roughly 20 years but life’s good with the help I’ve received. |
Read more about what our team had to say about the interview process
"We held and participated in these interviews because we wanted to make a contribution, we wanted to be listened to and heard, and we wanted to help things change.
We feel it’s important that services, policy makers and the government listen to service users because we have the knowledge and the experience to share. If they listened to us they could make positive changes to benefit future service users.
We want to be involved in the decision making and choosing our own care plan, so that we can progress, ‘move on’ and ‘give back’ to our communities.
Being part of these interviews and part of this project has made us feel valued and shows that people are starting to believe in us.
The process of making this page to welcome you was 2 hard working days with service users from different geographical locations and diverse backgrounds. The content was agreed and finalised by us all, taking into consideration the needs of those whose lives are affected by drugs and alcohol.
In terms of solving the problem, it matters that the people who had the experience are part of the solution, because they’re real, they use language I can understand, and, it gives hope because they’ve been there."
Recovery to us means a ‘fresh start’ and a ‘new life’. It’s about family, friends, jobs, homes and education; and being able to live our lives without having to rely on drugs or alcohol to cope.
Service User Involvement means that we are the ones choosing our care plan. It’s about being able to feedback about a service and having a say in how to improve services. It’s important that it’s not an empty gesture and reflects our voices, not that of staff. It empowers us and makes us feel part of something.
- The welcome team
Listen to audio clips on peer interviewing for VOICE
Feedback on being involved in interviews and interviewing Importance to service users
Digital Co-ordination: Laura Mwanba, Chris Leonard
Project Support: Julia Fazackerley, Hannah Carlin, Helen Newby
Peer Support: Shakira Lockwood
WITH THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO WORKED ON THIS PROJECT