Valerie

Drugs & Alcohol

Everything had fallen apart for me and my life was chaos. I came to The Salvation Army out of pure and simple desperation.

Alcohol had total control over my life and I realised that I couldn’t give it up on my own. I had absolutely no self esteem left. The realisation that I needed help is an uncomfortable feeling for a woman my age.

When I arrived, nobody judged me and I was treated with kindness and courtesy. There’s always that cynical edge where you think this can’t be for real, but over the 10 weeks I was here I learned that everybody was on my side. They just wanted the best for me.

I got my faith back and I got my self esteem back. I no longer had the daily fear which had come to rule my life.

From being a client I’m now a staff member so I can really understand how clients feel when they walk in that door. My job is to put them at ease so they’re not afraid, because we’re on their side.

Some of the changes you see in people’s lives here are amazing. When they come in they’re hurt, angry, desperate or depressed, but as time goes on they get a sense of community, and they just bloom like flowers.

It’s great to see the smiles and the self confidence come back. To witness that is just fantastic.

The Salvation Army people taught me how to live life in a different way and I’ll be forever grateful for that.