A Positive Future For Paul

Due to alcohol, Paul found himself locked in a Church, and after many hours trying to gain attention broke a stain glass window so that he could escape the confines of the Church.

Consequently, Paul was referred to Sanctuary Trust from the prison service as he was due to be released after serving a short sentence for his misdemeanour.

Paul, initially didn’t really engage with us and consequently, within a short period found himself being evicted for alcohol use, which was mainly due to association with old friends.

After a while with no fixed abode, Paul realised he had thrown away a good chance of dealing with his addiction and sought, through probation to return to Holborn. Any ex-resident seeking to return is assessed by all staff and in spite of some reservations was given a second chance.

This time at Holborn Paul was focused and engaged very well within the project, trying to deal with his addiction. He kept his probation and CAIS appointments and with his willingness to give a bit back to society, regularly participated in the soup run. Paul also spent two days a week on voluntary work and also got himself signed up with the Duke of Edinburgh award for the over twenty fives. Paul also re-established his relationship with his family, regularly visiting them in Holyhead. As he was doing so well, this gave him the incentive to look to moving on in to independent accommodation. This wasn’t openly encouraged by staff at Holborn, as it was looked as a step for the future and was far too early in his recovery, especially as he would need extensive floating support.

Despite this advice, Paul continued to investigate the possibilities, and due to changes within our own move on accommodation was able to offer him a place with support from both staff here at Holborn and a staff member dedicated to floating support within the project.

Paul accepted the move on place and continued to do very well, especially as he had the continued support of staff here at Holborn, which was often voluntary due to lack of funds and staff.

In conclusion, I have to say P’s recovery has been remarkable, making the most of Holborn’s programme and the floating support which was paramount in his recovery albeit, often voluntary.

Paul has now moved on in to totally independent living with no support apart form the occasional correspondence from a few.

Chairperson’s Award

At Sanctuary Trust, we are always proud to recognise people
who go above and beyond in their service to others…

Y life saved after RSI intervention

Y was found rough sleeping by RSI and accepted into Halsall House in summer 2021 due to being homeless in Rochdale with no local connection. He stayed in Halsall house receiving support and staying drug free for several months. He completed “The Way Out” course alongside Narcotics Anonymous meetings and was doing well. Around November

Adam gets a Job!

My Journey with Sanctuary Trust began after the covid lockdown ended in November 2020. I had spent lockdown bored and depressed like a lot of other people and spent a lot of time considering my options for when lockdown was over. I decided to email John Wigley to ask if I could volunteer in the

Steven have hope for the future

I started smoking cannabis at the age of 10 and crime became a daily thing, this resulted in me being in and out of prison most of my life. I progressed to harder drugs and became institutionalized towards the last few years of my addiction. I was either on the streets, homeless or in prison

My life turned around

I was very young when I started experimenting with drugs, this led to being in and out of prison because of offenses in trying to get access to more. At 36, I got a long term prison sentence, and I lost contact with my family and basically had no one. I was released from prison

My journey from deaths door to seeing the light and coming back to life.

My name is Allan Wood and this is my story. I grew up in Chadderton, Manchester. I had a good upbringing my parents did everything they could to provide the best for us. Before addiction I was into sports, swimming, golf, pool, and football. I often think if I could of have a career in