View from Hunter

Hunter – Resident turned worker turned song writer gives a picture.

I was introduced to the Sanctuary by a former resident in August 2000. I had an interview with Dave Lackner-Smith who worked alongside Sheila Halsall. I became homeless after a violent incident that happened to me whilst living on Falinge with a friend. I was quickly accommodated at the Sanctuary Trust, removing me from the immediate danger.

My life had been in turmoil to this point and had become so over the previous 10-12 years after being introduced to drugs and consequently becoming addicted. At the Sanctuary there was help on offer that I had never experienced before. The staff were people who accepted, understood and loved me for who I was warts an’ all.

I was not living up to my agreement in the hostel still using street drugs. Even through this problem my key worker found me a place to live independently at Greave House. This was fantastic accommodation for me under the circumstances. However my life was still being directed by use of illicit substances; living to feed my habit. My key worker from Sanctuary kept in contact with me and I knew I could call round to the Hostel on Tweedale Street at any time and quite often did. I eventually lost my accommodation at Greave house due to the staff finding drug paraphernalia in my flat.

I turned back to my friends at the Sanctuary who gave me an option to take accommodation at the hostel with very strict guidelines. This included seeking detoxification and rehabilitation from drugs. I found a place to complete both of these goals and have now been drug free for three years. I have visited the Sanctuary on a regular basis since my departure from rehab. This has led me after long consideration to believe my future lies in helping people like myself. I started working initially in a voluntary capacity and then paid as a Sanctuary Trainee Project worker working towards NVQ level 3. I have since left the Sanctuary Trust to concentrate on my song writing and singing.

Hunter is a prolific song writer, guitarist and singer and has written many songs; some about his journey of recovery. He still supports the work of the Sanctuary Trust and often comes back to share his wisdom and sometimes in song.

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