Since I was 19, my life was a revolving door of prison sentences and probation. But now, after a year at Sanctuary Trust Cornerstone, I’ve broken that cycle for the first time.
I grew up in Conwy County, studied civil engineering at university, and built a career as a construction supervisor. On the surface, I had it all—a solid job, a relationship, and a future that seemed set. But beneath it all, I was struggling. The pressures of life and my own mental health were becoming too much to handle.
My life became like a whirlwind. I always enjoyed a good party and never saw anything wrong with it—until the fun started costing me more than I realized. Drinking led to fights, arguments, and eventually, a cycle of arrests, probation, and prison sentences. I eventually lost my driver’s licence.
A year ago, my mum passed away, and my life began to spiral out of control. Not long after, I found myself at Sanctuary Trust Cornerstone.
I’d been in plenty of temporary accommodations before—run-down B&Bs where fights were common, and the atmosphere was anything but stable. They never felt like home, just another stop in a cycle I couldn’t break. The truth was, I didn’t have any other option. It was either a B&B or nowhere, and as much as I hated those places, I was terrified that if I didn’t stay in one, I’d end up back in jail. Most people who come to Cornerstone know the reality of those places—crowded, chaotic, and full of people struggling with their own battles. There was never a sense of a fresh start—until now.
At first, even picking up the phone was a struggle. Anxiety gripped me—I’d missed calls from probation before and ended up back in jail. I didn’t trust anyone, not even the staff at Cornerstone. If I went out, I’d struggle to pick up the phone to let them know I was okay. I thought staff were just there to report me, to ‘snitch’ on me. On probation, I always felt like everyone was just waiting for me to slip up, ready to lock me away again. That paranoia made it impossible to trust anyone.
A few years ago, whenever my mind was racing, I’d go down to the beach to clear my head. I’d sit there, watching the waves, trying to drown out the thoughts running wild in my mind. Every now and then, a stranger might ask if I was okay. My walls would go straight up. ‘Yeah, I’m fine! What’s it got to do with you?’ I’d snap; my voice sharp with paranoia. I didn’t believe people were just being nice—I assumed they had an agenda, that they were judging me or trying to get involved in something that wasn’t their business. Missing my medication only made those feelings worse, and over time, I stopped trusting people completely.
Over time, I slowly began to build trust with the staff here. They weren’t out to get me—they were there to help. As my routine settled, I found myself waking up with purpose, going to the gym, and even enjoying the structure I’d been missing. Slowly, I began to rebuild my life.
The support here has been a game-changer. If I’ve had a problem or felt upset about a situation, someone has always been there to listen whilst I get it off my chest. I’ve been given so many chances, even when I thought I’ve screwed up here. I’m not as angry anymore. I trust people more, and I’m even taking my medication regularly, something I had neglected for so long. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved—getting my driving license back & sticking to my routine.
If I’m not feeling ok, I sometimes get it off my chest by going to a mate, having a drink with them. But sometimes, I can’t reset. I don’t want to be partying all the time. Now I’m here, I have somewhere to come back to. Cornerstone is a good home base when I’m struggling, and they’ve set me up for the future. I’m looking toward to eventually getting a job, having my own place, and getting a car.
When I first came here, my mum had only just died. I had to face the first Mother’s Day and her birthday without her. Those days would’ve been so much darker if it weren’t for Cornerstone. Back then, I probably would’ve let myself spiral and made them as dark as I could, trapped in my grief and anger. But being here, with the support around me, I didn’t have to go through it alone.
- What advice would you give to someone considering reaching out to The Sanctuary Trust?
I’d let them know how I am doing- The staff here will sort you out.
- What would you say to someone who is hesitant to donate to The Sanctuary Trust?
The support staff give us, It works- I’m not back in jail! I don’t know what it is, but I do know it’s the first time I’ve been out of jail and off probation in 17 years.
