In 2008, Simon finally received the support he needed from Bristol Drugs Project (BDP). He established a trusting relationship with his keyworker, who helped him realise that his drug abuse was making him seriously ill. He was warned that if he didn’t change his lifestyle he would have to undergo serious surgery.
It was a very challenging time for Simon; “I felt very depressed and down. I had just told my family that I was in rehab and they didn’t react well to that.”
Things began to turn a corner for Simon when he went to a local ‘Caring at Christmas’ event and met Matt Fuller from Novas Scarman, a homeless charity providing a range of services in Bristol. Matt encouraged Simon to get involved with a number of things at the centre and as a result of this and the on-going support from his keyworker at BDP, he began to develop an interest in support work.
Business Action on Homelessness’ Ready for Work programme gave Simon the opportunity to really find out if support work was the right choice for him. In February 2009 Simon undertook a two-week work placement with Novas Scarman who worked hard to make sure his placement was tailored to what interested him and gave him guidance on what else he would need to do to move into this type of work.
Spurred on by the success of his placement, which helped him to understand that the work was tough and challenging but still what he wanted to do, Simon began meeting up with job coach Rose Ann, an employee volunteer from the law firm Beachcroft. His relationship with Rose Ann has been critical to Simon’s journey off drugs and into work.
Simon describes Rose Ann as: “absolutely cracking - a hard task master but worth it as she and my keyworker have helped put me back together again."
Rose Ann has helped Simon see that there are different ways he can approach problems and ensured he has stayed focused with his job search.
“She has taught me how to manage pressure better and has always made time for me. She’s also helped me with practical things like my personal statement and job application”.
Rose Ann also feels working with Simon has been a very positive experience and stresses that the learning has been two-way; “I have particularly enjoyed getting to know Simon, and having the opportunity to work with him. It has been especially rewarding to see Simon reach the stage where he has been able to focus his energy, drive and ambition on a new career pathway, and to see him realise his goals. Simon represents a great example of what can be achieved with perseverance, resilience and the determination to succeed against the odds.
"Working with Simon has also enabled me to recognise my own strengths and weaknesses and given me insight into how my experiences can be used to help others. Coaching Simon has enhanced my motivational and communication skills and enabled me to analyse the human element of working relationships with a view to achieving a common goal wherever possible.”
Simon has come a very long way in a relatively short time thanks to the support he has received from his keyworker at BDP, Novas Scarman and Business Action on Homelessness. In August, with the support of his job coach, Simon went full circle and applied for a job with Bristol Drug Project, the organisation that was his lifeline. He got the job and is now looking forward to a much brighter future.
“Getting the job with BDP was the proudest moment of my life! Without the time, effort and hard work from Rose Ann, my job coach, I might not have made it”.
