Sanctuary gave me opportunity to work with them and progress with them

I used to wake up and think, do I drink or do I kill myself? It was a very depressing time, felt like this for years.

I am now at a point where I don’t feel this way. I don’t feel the need to drink, I am now 18 months sober. I still have my demons but I feel like I can deal with it better through the support I have got.

I became homeless because of my drinking. I was at my lowest point when I was put in the step emergency accommodation. They told me about Halsall house, an abstinence house where I can get support to stay away from alcohol. This was what I wanted and it was from Halsall House where I realised I wanted to spend my life helping other people with alcohol problems and depression.

The Pas it on Scheme was great for me, it gave me my first try at the work. After I left the Sanctuary I was ready to start working part time. I had already done lots of volunteer work so it wasn’t a big change really, just got paid for it this time! It feels good to pass on what I have learnt in life through the alcohol, through the depression. People tend to respond a hell of a lot better to it when they know you understand them.

I am very grateful Sanctuary gave me opportunity to work with them and progress with them.

Stephen now works full time as a project Worker at Holland House, well done Stephen! On behalf of the Sanctuary Trust, we thank you for your Service. Its an privilege to work with you

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