BHT Sussex

“I have substance addiction. Shore House arrange in-house CA (Cocaine Anonymous) meetings and the staff are trusting so I feel able to discuss any issues I have with them. Shore House has been key to me making massive steps towards managing my addiction”

“Staff facilitated me getting psychiatrist input and provided a good space to have those sessions.”

“I was offered a warm welcome and lots of practical help. I would have struggled to move furniture, organise my living space, and manage life in general after the suicide attempt [without the support of the Shore House team]”

“First Base recognised that I had a lot of different support needs and that it was hard for me to get help from other services. They saw my strengths and I built a good relationship with the staff. They worked with lots of different services to make sure I got the help I needed, and they prevented me from ending up back on the streets.”

“Before I came to First Base, I had lost my supported accommodation and was rough sleeping on the streets. On my first visit to First Base, one of their case workers asked me if I wanted to work with them to complete a Support Needs Assessment so we could work out what help I needed. They were understanding and they listened to everything I had to say. Based on what I told them, they referred me to Housing Options at Brighton and Hove City Council. They said I would likely be a Priority Need for Housing, which made me feel hopeful.”

“90% of the staff that work here [at the Detox Support Project] have gone through the service, and every one of them is inspiring, and I learn from their stories and their examples of what I can do with my life when I leave here.”

“I’ve reconnected with my faith and that’s a big part of my recovery. I’ve managed to pull my life back together… doing what a son should be doing, what faith requires of me, and building bridges hopefully with my ex-wife.”

“It was lovely to see them. I literally cannot remember the last birthday I celebrated, the last birthday that sticks in my head was when I was 7 years old… living in the madness and whatever I’ve gone through I can’t actually remember celebrating a birthday, and my house, my peers, my family, my recovery family, they made that a really memorable special occasion for me.”

“I broke down, I was tired of living like that. There were other people I’d seen going through treatment centres, it gave me inspiration and an idea of what to do … so then I made an effort to keep up my CGL appointments at Phase One and I spoke to them about it. I mentioned treatment, I mentioned I’ve got kids and I’ve got a family that I want to be with, so they filled in an application.”

“They could have kicked me out straight away, they had every right to let me go but they didn’t do that, they made allowances for me… helped me with my boundaries. There’s not one staff member that is not helpful, from the day staff to the night staff… I’m thankful and grateful and surprised that a service like that exists.”

“I found the staff non-judgmental and very supportive… I felt comfortable going to them and saying, ‘look I feel like this, and I don’t know what to do’. They took time out from their desk and took me into the room and spent time with me and talked to me just to understand what’s going on… distracted me with conversation, took my mind off things, but it helped, really helped me relax… that was a big thing for me.”

“When you’re on drugs you find it hard to keep appointments… you find it difficult to go down the road let alone the other end of town, so that service was brilliant… I could speak to my drug worker while I was there and if he hadn’t come there, I wouldn’t have got the help.”

“Phase One gives you freshly cooked meals every day, it’s not like microwave food, they have chefs come in every day and cook fresh food… so I used to look forward to the meal, and that went a long way because I’m not just starving myself I’m taking time out to eat, even when I was in the madness of taking drugs, I made sure I was there at dinner time to get my food.”

“I was welcomed, they showed me my room and the room looked brand new, all done up nice and clean, the furniture was nice and tidy… it was very welcoming. They’re just providing a safe haven for us, for homeless people, people with bad mental health or addiction to alcohol or addiction to drugs… and it’s really appreciated because on the street people look down on us.”

“I feel safe. I like it here. The staff are friendly and honest and I’m able to chat with them. My life feels more stable.”

“Being a Community Champion has really improved my mental health and reduced my anxiety and depression. I tell people that the anxiety does go. It’s not with you all the time. I look forward to having my next client.”

“I was inspired by my Peer Mentor and decided to train as one myself, as I wanted to help others. I became a Community Champion and have since had my first client. I find that it has really increased my confidence and given me a purpose. I now really believe I can help people.”

“I ended up in hospital due to my declining mental health. When I was discharged, I was given support by a Community Psychiatry Nurse. I next accessed support through Pathfinder, firstly by seeing a Clinician, and later a Peer Mentor, who helped me find strategies to deal with my anxiety.”

“My motto is: if I can help just one person I have done my job.”

“Thank you to everyone that’s helped me over the last 6 years: the people at Langley Green Hospital, Pathfinder, and especially Kim. I am now a Peer Mentor to help others and hopefully now I can help clients in the same way I was helped. I am now just about to start a cook and eat group.”

“After a couple of weeks, I didn’t feel like a client anymore, I felt like part of the family. I came from the gutter to where I am now thanks to a handful of people, but it was Kim who pushed me to become a Peer Mentor, which I am now today. I questioned myself over and over and I thank Pathfinder and the Peer Mentor course facilitated by Emily, Pathfinder’s Engagement Officer. I knew I wanted to give back to the people who had helped me.”

“To anyone reading this, I hope it will inspire you to keep working towards your goals. Please keep going and never give up.”

“It’s the friendliest place I’ve ever worked. My values align with those of the organisation. I trust BHT Sussex to do right by people. I’ve been really lucky with the opportunities that have arisen since working for BHT Sussex. I started on a fixed term contract with Shore House as the Deputy Manager, stepped-up into the Operational Manager post, secured a permanent contract as Archway’s Operational Manager. I’ve been supported throughout with supervision, training, mentoring, and advice; it’s a great place for anyone wanting to develop themselves and their career.”