‘I started drinking at the age of 10 because I was bullied’

Bristol24/7 will be running a series of articles throughout Homelessness Awareness Week, February 24 – March 3, to highlight an issue that has rocketed in the last year alone, the problems people face and what communities can do to help.

Jac* candidly tells her story of alcohol and drug dependency and homelessness, and how she found the courage and help needed to turn her life around.

“My addiction started in school. I was 10 years old when I started drinking. I drank because I was bullied at home and at school. There were a lot of problems at home. My dad was an alcoholic and I guess I copied him. It was what I knew. I used to steal from him and my family. It was my way of hurting them back.

“I drank alcohol for three years. Then I met some dealers and was introduced to cannabis, amphetamines and any party drug going.

“I have been homeless four times in my life. The first time was when I was 16. I was living in a hostel because my mum couldn’t handle me. My dad didn’t want to know. I had some trouble with one of the other residents and I ended up sleeping rough for a couple of weeks.

“I had my own flat after that, but I was burgled. I was petrified. They took everything. I didn’t feel safe. I took to the streets again for a number of months and lost the tenancy.

“I was offered a place in a women’s hostel and after some time I was offered another flat. I stayed there for eight years and it was a really lovely place. My own home. But I started mixing with the wrong people and my drink and drug taking increased, my mental health deteriorated.

“I ended up back on the streets. This time for nearly nine months.

“By the time I was rehoused in the women’s hostel again, my mental and physical health was on the floor. Throughout this cycle, I had always managed to work, but this time I couldn’t.

“Through the support at the hostel, I met Maddy. She introduced me to the Recovery College and I never left. I came back every day. I just wanted to learn and stop using. I found myself.

Jac found a new passion for art that has helped her on the road to recovery

“I was around people who weren’t using for the first time. The staff allowed me to grow. I took part in the Bridge the Gap course and I had a mentor for nearly a year.  Throughout our year working together I had some ups and downs, it was great to know he was there for me the whole time.

“Within the first few months, I realised I had more control over my life than ever before. Since then my confidence and self-belief has grown and I’m now volunteering with the New Street women’s group and have attended training to start my own art group.

“Recovery College gave me trust in myself and the time to understand who I am. It has given me confidence to take a part in art exhibitions and work with new people. I have been clean for two years now. I would love to study art therapy and give people what St Mungo’s has given me.”

The St Mungo’s Recovery College is a pioneering, inclusive learning programme, based on the principle that learning can be a transformative experience.

Works is based on principles of co-production. Courses are designed, delivered and attended by St Mungo’s clients, staff and volunteers, and they are also open to the general public.

All courses are free and run by volunteers.

Bridge The Gap work with people in recovery to increase confidence, skills and awareness of the next step to gain employment, volunteering or training. Groups are held at the New Street Centre in St Jude’s, where an informal lunch is provided at 12pm, and then groups take place from 12:45 – 2:30pm with a break halfway through the session.

Call 0117 9542954 for more information about Recovery College and Bridge The Gap.

*Name has been changed to protect the person’s identity.

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