Gary's story
I first realised that I wanted to work with vulnerable people when I came out of rehab. I had spent 16 years of my life in and out of hostels and prison before then. I enrolled in college, on a drug awareness and counselling course and I started volunteering with Crime Reduction Initiatives.
When I found out about St Mungo's Apprenticeship Scheme I applied straight away. I was shortlisted and I went for four interviews. It was really, really nerve wracking. But I got the job at the hostel in Birkenhead Street! This was the first proper job I ever applied for and got.
I am a naturally confident person, but I was scared - and excited - about starting. I am an ex-service user and an ex-offender and I thought I would be judged and scrutinised. I was also worried about working with residents with substance use issues, because I had been clean for six years, and I was still mindful of my own addiction and the issues it may bring up for me.
But these thoughts quickly evaporated. The staff were brilliant and made me feel very welcome. I was able to ask questions and even to make mistakes. I received regular supervision and support from my colleagues and the other apprentices. Plus Emma, the Apprenticeship Coordinator, has been absolutely superb.
A little while back I went through a rough patch. Two people very close to me passed away and it was a really difficult period for me. I felt like I wanted to give everything up and I didn't come into work for three weeks. St Mungo's could have kicked me off the scheme, but instead they were patient and understanding. My manager helped me get support and access counselling, and since then I have gone from strength to strength.
Seeing hostel life from the staff 's point of view has completely opened my eyes to the work that is involved. When I was a service user myself I remember blaming my keyworker for lots of things. But now I know the work that goes on behind the scenes.
Making the transition from service user to worker was difficult at first but in the end I just decided to be myself, whilst still being mindful of my professional boundaries. I love working with clients; at the moment I am a keyworker to three people.
One in particular has suffered from depression and bereavement in her life. She is also HIV positive and has an alcohol issue. For a long time she wouldn't attend keyworking sessions but I persevered and managed to build up her trust, and eventually we started to meet. We looked at her personal issues and she was also able to express her feelings and put things into perspective.
Working together we set some personal goals for her. So far I have referred her to the CRI alcohol service and during key work sessions I get her to think about her drinking patterns and identify high risk situations, and look at ways to avoid them. She has been off alcohol for four weeks now, her health has improved and she now looks a lot better and her outlook on life is more optimistic.
In the past year I have seen some amazing changes in clients. I believe everybody can change; I know that I have. You just need to be patient and give people a sense of hope by believing in them and empowering them to believe in themselves. I really feel that self efficacy is one of the key ingredients to recovery.
My own outlook in life is much more positive now compared to a year ago. I feel I have a great future ahead of me. Last year I knew where I wanted to go, but I didn't know how to get there. I have come a long, long way since then. I am now in control of my life with a clear vision. I have just been accepted as a full time project worker at St Mungo's Pound Lane project and I also hope to undertake level 3 NVQ in Substance Misuse shortly. For years I was on benefits. It was very scary leaving that 'safety net' and going into work. But I haven't looked back since; the risk was definitely worth taking. I can't ever see myself going on the dole again. I refuse.
I now feel I have the skills and the confidence to take on life on equal terms and make a meaningful contribution to my family and society.
Your donations help us run the Apprenticeship Scheme and thanks to St Mungo's supporters about 5% of our staff are people who were formerly clients of St Mungo's! Donate online