My Story
15 Stories 15 Years
Turning Point Scotland
contents
Mark
Introduction
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Mark put in a referral form to the new Public Social Partnership (PSP) team asking for support.
Claire
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Fiona
6
Lorraine
Russell has Asperger’s Syndrome and is supported by Turning Point Scotland’s Perth & Kinross services.
Steven
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Colin
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Lindsay
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Lindsay, aged 39, has used the Glasgow Drug Crisis Centre for a number of years.
Pauline had been a heroin addict most of her life, and is supported by Turning Point Scotland’s Pitstop service.
Helen
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Helen has been supported by Turning Point Scotland’s Learning Disability Services in Ayr for over ten years.
Steve found out he was HIV positive six years ago and is receiving treatment which he is responding well to.
Craig
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Colin had tried to detox from his alcohol addiction and drug use many times previously.
Darren has been supported by Turning Point Scotland’s services after problems with alcohol, self-esteem and anxiety.
Steve
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Steven has Aspergers’, a form of autism, he lives independently and was only diagnosed in his early fifties.
Michael stayed at Turning Point Scotland’s Turnaround residential unit to address his offending behaviour and drug use.
Pauline
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Lorraine is a peer support worker for Turning Point Scotland’s Housing First service.
Michael
Darren
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Fiona is aided by Turning Point Scotland’s Housing Support service that supports people with learning disabilities and Huntington’s disease.
Claire used Turning Point Scotland’s services to support her into recovery from her previous addiction to drugs.
Russell
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Lucy
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Lucy had been suffering with Depression for about 25 years and when she became ill again, she wanted to address some of her issues in the longer term.
Craig went to his doctor to address his alcohol addiction and he was put in touch with the local Community Addiction Team.
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introduction
Our mission is making services fit people and providing support in a person-centred way.
The story so far…
The type of support we offer includes:
In April 1999 Turning Point Scotland became an independent charity after devolving itself from Turning Point in England and Wales.
• Housing support • Care at home • Residential care • Crisis intervention • Community rehabilitation • Social enterprise
Our origin dates back to 1964 as part of a UK wide organisation called Helping Hands which soon became known as Turning Point.
15 stories for 15 years recognises and celebrates the achievements of thousands of individuals that have been supported by Turning Point Scotland, no matter how big or small.
We have a history of working with people with a range of complex and challenging needs that can benefit from achieving independent living, re-engaging with families and communities, recovery from substance misuse and improved mental health and well-being.
This represents just a small flavour of the inspiring stories from around Turning Point Scotland… we hope you enjoy reading!
For more information please visit: www.turningpointscotland.com Connect with us at: www.facebook.com/turningpointscotland @turningpointsco www.linkedin.com/company/turning-point-scotland 3
Claire used Turning Point Scotland’s services to support her into recovery from her previous drug addiction. She was able to make positive changes in the way she viewed herself and regain confidence. Call 0800 652 3757 during office hours, to 5 access support.
claire
Throughout addiction you allow yourself to be bullied and You end up in rela manipulated. tionships you don’t wa nt to be in. The su received from Turni pport I’ve ng Point Scotland ha s he lped see my good qualities, my good po ints, and I've start taking care of mys elf. The big achievement for me, is be able to value myself as person. As a woman, a I can value myself . Coming through add using drugs, it take iction and s away the way yo u va lu e yourself as a woma You don’t respect yo n. urself. I allowed myself to be treated in ways that weren’t accept That became norma able. l. It really affect e d m y thinking and beli wasn’t until going in efs. It to rehab helped me ch a ng e beliefs about myself my thinking and my . Being able to lo ok people in the e to them and to wo ye and talk rk through my anxie ties and my nerves. I’ve learned how to be assertive. If I don’t want to do th say confidently tha ings, I can t I don’t want to do it. 5
russelL Russell is from Perth and is supported by Turning Point Scotland’s Perth & Kinross services. Interested? Call the Garden Project on 01738 639 950 6
I do voluntary work as well. Turning Point Scotland runs a Garden Project where you can learn about growing your own plants, fruit and vegetables. I achieved a commendation from the Koestler Trust for two pieces of art work I submitted when in hospital. I like socialising with other service users from Turning Point Scotland locally and nationally. I came up with the idea of ‘The Brunch Club’ where we meet on the first Sunday of the month in a local pub for Brunch. It has been a great success! I feel that I now have much more contact with my parents and other family members and I have a purpose and balance to my life. I know that the staff support me to make choices even if they are difficult and hard to do.
I have Asperger's Syndrome, a form of Autism, and my condition causes me to be impulsive. As a result I have stayed in various places and I moved away from Perth in 1999. I have lived in Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire and Wales. In Bedfordshire I stayed in a hospital for people in the Autistic Spectrum. I had access to a sitting room, dining room and kitchen but I spent most of my time in my room. I was not motivated to do anything with my time and I only returned home once a year to see my parents. I returned to Perth in late May 2012 and all that has changed. I am supported in my own home on a 24/7 basis by Turning Point Scotland. I rent a 3 bedroom house from Perth & Kinross Council and I have responsibility for the house and garden. I have spectacular views over Perth and my house is fantastic! 7
Michael was staying at Turning Point Scotland’s Turnaround residential unit to address his offending behaviour and problems around drug use. He decided not to go back to his home town and made the difficult decision not to go back to his partner of 7 years. Once Michael had saved enough money to move into his flat, along with some financial assistance, he was ready to move in. Staff at Turnaround supported him to prepare for independent living. Follow us on Twitter @turningpointsco
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michael
at The staff at the res idential uniatnew area to l ed me look for Turna round hep in touch live in away from my old one. I got the flat with the housing association about happy and luc kily I got the flat, I was so and exc ited. h the staff Be fore I moved in I met up witint t. l buy pa int for me to pa my fla to hep that They took me to a fu rniture place o their l ed out people like me moving intcoo hep ke,r first flat with plates, pots, paIns,would need couch and curta insยบ eve rything for my flat cheap. budget The staff also showed me how to p my and wr ite eve rything down and tot kee l s. hep receip ts and I still mostly do tha it having my I have just been getting used to d I am own place and looking after it anect ed I doing a lot better job than I exp proud of would do, I love my wee flat I am Turna round it. All the staff at the res i and tin in my all played a huge pa rt in me sit clegan for 1 own flat feeling great and beingto a yea r and I am signed up to go constr uction cou rse. puter I tried cou rses in plumbing and com tutor sk ills pa rt time for three monthts.IMy ve a has told me that he think s thawasha so natural knack for computing. I I am loving . t chu ffed when he told me tha and long may it last. the cou rse 9
Darren has been supported by Turning Point Scotland’s services after problems with alcohol, self-esteem and anxiety. To find out what support is available in your area, check out: www.turningpointscotland.com 10
darren
I couldn’t eye conta hold a convers normal co ct. Now I can s ation with someb nversation o it and ha . ve eye dcyo. I couldn’t keep I can sit ntact and clean and in myself and a be comfor for once table, kee I’m not f Last year ping my f r ig h t I e ned. w as so frig street wit lat ground. Thhout being scarehtened, I couldn’ the way I at’s terrible fo d. I was alwayst walk along th e r anyone was. to live lloikoking at the I’ve got f e that. T them. It’s amily that I ca hat’s in life, I’ made me look n focus on and things canm not scared a at myself and put a bit back things and get scary at nymore. I’m not say, I can do t to hin sc times but my anxiet I can waorred to admit gs ies. Goals are k through look at y important to m these o e u . r s W e it l f hout goa even ju proper change. st a day at a ltyim. They don’t hals I don’t think y ve ou e staying sober. Itt’os be massive, I’ve stopp all about go out runed smoking, I’ve could run ning every morn been off cigar peace of 15 or 16 miles ing, I run 6 milettes for 8 mon t e mind. if I want ed to. Ist’ every morning, h.I I I can sav s given m household e money and pu e great do things things. I can a t money away n bed. Thes for myself, get sk people for h ow. I can cope e e things I wouldn’fturniture, wardrolbpe and go off waitnh d s, have drea mt doing.cooker, couch, 11
pauline
Once my daughter went to stay with my brother I could not handle it, I was getting older and could not be bothered with that lifestyle anymore so I got myself off to rehab where I stayed for 8 months. I had nowhere to live so I got referred to Pitstop project by the council. I only waited a few days before getting a place and got a flat of my own. The staff were good, got great support at least I had somebody to speak to whenever I wanted and my keyworker felt like my mum. They taught me cooking skills and how to handle my finances. I finally got a call about a flat that me and my boyfriend had been calling about then we found out we got it. I got great help and support from the project when I left. My boyfriend and I are now engaged. We are still on a methadone programme but we are doing normal things like paying our bills and keeping our house in order. I am now in regular contact with my daughter she comes and stays with me now so life couldn’t be better.
Pauline had been a heroin addict most of her life. She lives in the North of Scotland and is supported by Turning Point Scotland’s Pitstop service. She has a daughter aged 12 who is living with her brother and sister-in-law due to her substance misuse. For more information about Pitstop, contact: 01779 470490 12
steve
Free, confidential drop in service, contact 0141 420 6969
Steve is 42 years old and first visited the Glasgow Drug Crisis Centre needle exchange in his lunch hour.
MPS is a stimulant that Steve injects and comes in the form of white crystal. In the course of a night he would inject 2 gram and also take a bump (1⁄2 gram) of ketamine.
Steve uses Crystal Meth and Ketamine every 2nd Friday for sexual encounters. He tried using these drugs midweek before but said the comedown is too much meaning that he’d never get to work or his work would suffer, and he doesn’t want it to affect his employment.
Steve says that the comedown from taking these substances is so intense and can last for so long considering the rush only lasts 45 minutes.
I was introduced to crystal meth and ketamine while meeting someone for sex in London in 2012. I buy my gear online from a Manchester address. It costs me £20 for a gram of crystal meth which can be known as MPA, crystal or tina. The name of the drug is MPA and it says crystal on the packet.
Steve is involved in the gay scene in Glasgow and he says he has seen a huge increase in people using ketamine and crystal meth. He says most people buy their substances and equipment (for injecting) online. All the needles look the same, so at parties he says he runs the risk of sharing injecting equipment. Since coming along to the Glasgow Drug Crisis Centre needle exchange he gets a ‘one hit kit’ which he always recognises as his own, which helps to reduce the harm to his body. Steve found out he was HIV positive six years ago and is receiving treatment which he is responding well to and he is tested every 6 months for Hepatitis C.
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Craig went to his doctor to address his alcohol addiction and he was put in touch with the local Community Addiction Team. With help and advice from them he moved into residential care in hospital for two weeks which was followed up with an assessment at Turning Point Scotland’s Milestone service. 9
Find out about recovery online: www.turningpointscotland.com
craig
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Mark To find our more about reducing reoffending, visit: www.turningpointscotland.com
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Mark had a period of Community Service to complete when he was liberated and the staff supported him in this. They kept in regular contact with his criminal justice social worker and whenever any problems cropped up or communication links had broken down they would contact Mark and help to resolve any issues. This led to an improvement in Mark’s relationship with his social worker and the staff team have established a good working relationship with the community justice social work team. They have reported a positive change in his attitude.
Turning Point Scotland is the lead third sector organisation of the new HMP Low Moss Public Social Partnership (PSP), working alongside the Scottish Prison Service and a host of other organisations to help address offending behaviour and improve the life chances of people resettling into their community. Mark’s mother was sitting in the Low Moss visitors’ waiting area when the PSP team approached her. They explained the service to her and she became distressed recounting Mark’s offending history. She took a PSP leaflet and asked her to give it to Mark when she went in for her visit.
Mark had some outstanding matters to be dealt with in court. The PSP team provided a report on Mark’s positive engagement with them and this helped result in no further custodial sentences for him.
Mark put in a referral form to the PSP team asking for support. The staff only had a few weeks to work with Mark in custody before he was liberated.
Mark has improved his relationship with his parents, he now has contact with his daughter and helps to look after his niece and nephew after school. He has a part-time job and is working hard in all aspects of his life and is displaying a more mature attitude. He has stated that he is off drugs and presents well. He continues to engage positively with the team.
He had a tenancy to go to on release but when the PSP team accompanied him to his flat on the day of his liberation, they found it to be uninhabitable. Mark’s keyworker had to liaise with the local authority as a matter of urgency to get him decanted to temporary emergency accommodation. This process was not without its problems but eventually Mark was given another place to stay. To date Mark has managed to maintain his new flat to a high standard.
The service aims to reduce reoffending and the longer Mark remains in the community and continues to work with the service, it reduces his risk of committing further offences and returning to prison.
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Fiona came to Turning Point Scotland seven years ago in Ayrshire. The Courtyard is a Housing Support service that supports people with learning disabilities and 13 Huntington’s disease.
fiona
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lorraine Lorraine is a peer support worker for Turning Point Scotland’s ‘Housing First’ service. She was supported by Turning Point Scotland’s ‘218’ service, ‘Link Up’ service and then ‘Moving On’. Lorraine got her own flat and went to college and did voluntary and training on a course for a year, for social and health care, studying SVQ 18 2 and doing a counselling course.
I came through addiction and homelessness and family brea kdown and poor living skills I had no hope, until I myself went through Turning Point Scotland services that suppo rted me along in my recovery journey. I was homeless then going to suppo rted accommodation and receiving suppo rt myself to learn living skills and maintain my suppo rted accommodation. Learning how to have a daily routine like paying bills, cooking, budgeting. Im Š in recovery from drug addiction for over 4 years now so I can relate to where service users are at when homeless and getting their own tenancy. My job is to suppo rt othe rs and give othe rs hope for a way to a new life, maintaining a flat in the community beca use I have been there. The staff and service users are so amazing it inspires me how much my life has changed and giving hope to othe rs they can do it to. I'd say the thing I'm most proud of is the achievement of gaining qualifications and a full time job. Other people who had been through this were a major inspiration for me, along with the support from the services I had been in. If anyone is going through a similar thing I'd say take all the support from Turning Point Scotland and never give up. Take what is on offer as this will change your life. I'm happy with my new job, I'm going to keep learning from othe rs and to suppo rt them as best as I can. This is the best gift for me, being in employment from being a service user in various services, I am so happy that I have been given an amazing life. 21
steven
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Staff acted on Steven’s behalf and wrote to the landlord, met the landlord’s representative at the Steven’s home and went through the concerns one by one.
The Dumfries & Galloway Housing Support service based in Stranraer placed its contact information cards in a local charity shop. Within 48 hours the office was contacted by a local man, Steven, seeking help.
It was obvious the landlord was committed to resolving the problem and showing empathy, yet they were understandably unaware of the communication difficulties present in Steven’s life.
Steven had been attempting over many months to get his landlord to do some repairs to his house. These attempts had failed to satisfy his wishes and in the process of the discussion we also learned that Steven has Aspergers’, a form of autism. Living independently and only diagnosed in his early fifties, it became clear the problem was one of communication between landlord and tenant.
The staff were able to help reassure Steven about the situation and that was having an impact on his anxiety levels or causing him to be distressed or confused. By acting on his Steven’s behalf, helping to explain what was happening, and working with the landlord, the staff were able to resolve the problems and get the necessary repairs completed.
While continuing to appear stressed and anxious about the lack of positive outcomes from his landlord Steven stated he could not devote further time to chasing the matter up.
Housing support is one of those odd jobs where you can sometimes find yourself doing very little. The “very little” can have far reaching effects in the lives and organisations of those we find ourselves working with.
Sometimes certain situations around communication with people they don’t know can be difficult for somebody with Aspergers’, where social situations we take for granted may present some challenges.
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Colin Colin had tried to detox from his alcohol addiction and drug use many times previously.
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Find Turning Point Scotland on YouTube
When I first came into recovery my head wa dead negative but people were there for me. Its all over the place I was I’ve learned on to other people. The first 6 mo ’s important I pass what arguing with staff. I had a meeting with the nth I was in here I was a bit of a talk. After that I kind of got my service manager and we had knew it was the end of the road. I just had act together because I to try. I had to bring down all my barriers. My barri ten years old. But they are down now. Not comers have been up since I was pletely, I still have my moments. I’ve got a place to call home now. I’m paying license for the first time ever, I’ve no debts. all my bills, I’ve got a TV never managed money before, if I had money Life is good at the moment. I spend it on drink or other substances. I’ve gotin my hand I would normally money in my pocket, my fridge is full, my cupb money in the bank, I’ve got are paid. It’s been 360, turned my life right oards are full. All my debts around. I’ve got loads of things to do. Boxercise on th recovery meeting. I also chair a Narcotics Ane Friday, I’m chairing a learned lots of new skills, I’m naloxone trainer onymous meeting. I have and a first aider. I did the 10k run last year. I’ve done cookery classes as well. Learning how is my favourite. I like gardening as well and wato cook for myself. Spag bol future. It’s great, just to see things grow from nt my own allotment in the veg. It’s the best. Straight out of the ground, a seed. Grow up into full it’s the freshest you can get. All the taste is there. 25
Lindsay, aged 39 years has used the Glasgow Drug Crisis Centre for a number of years. Her behaviour can be difficult and disruptive and at times she has been asked to leave previous stays for violence to other people using the service. At the Glasgow Drug Crisis Centre, the team worked with Lindsay who was admitted for stabilisation of drug use. They worked with her to educate her about risky drug practises, screened her for sexual 17
health, mood stabilisation and to encourage engagement with a care manager and her children’s social worker. Six months later, Lindsay is still in the residential programme at Phoenix and staff at the Glasgow Drug Crisis Centre were delighted to see her taking part in a Christmas show. Naloxone training available. Ask staff for details 0141 420 6969
il ndsay
re going a y e h t if pe better o c e l p o e p s d to helparm themselves. e in a r ine, take as t a c e o h r c a d k l c e u co ll , w cra As staff bad patch and kes 1/8 eroin daily as we n o m s e h s h tio at through a ld me th injects 9 bags ofa Community Addic o t y a s d ily, via r Lin Last yea licit diazepam da ich she receives as 250mg il5ml methadone wh nd she h a y it c e th taking 9 rking in o w x e s h oug Team. ed g use thr during her work. u r d s attempter. She r a e h h d s e d n c n a n u e s rd She f ected to viol self-harm personality diso e j h s b u s ; y r n a o g ist bee complex h gnosed with havin e in prison. a s er a h her partne as Lindsay nd has been dia d has spent tim h it w e iv r l suicide a al convictions an normally cannot stay the d l u o w in d t n u b a has crim homeless hs and 3 years y l t n e r r u t c er mon ed with h Lindsay ischildren aged 8 to her children. it n u e r e b and two not have access wants to e h s s a s e r nge she do unit afted l ed to cha t ia a t n iv t e o id m r s in the reLindsay worked haith Lindsay is y a t s y a w t children. ed her s oxing from valium. s and met daily ing t e l p m o c l issue ssfully nd det hers us She succe on methadone a ss her behaviourahat staff and ot stabilisinger stay to addre on behaviours t k through h worker to reflect . group wor trained e h t t in l y u e d ic s k ge a diff her she enga ce change. She w erdose. She e found d ic n v a r e y s a v s e o a th br ind e ed with Ld motivated to em ects of an opiat l workers and k r o w m a ff cia re The te nd appea h reverses the eager, children’s so n. a e m m a r whic an atio prog naloxone with her care msidential rehabilit g in s u n o g to re o engage started t the goal of movin achieved 16
Helen has been supported by Turning Point Scotland’s Learning Disability Services in Ayr for over ten years. Her parents are proud of the progress she is making in her life. Find Turning Point Scotland on Facebook
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helen
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Lucy had been suffering with Depression for about 25 years and when she became ill again, she wanted to address some of her issues in the longer term. She went to the doctor and asked to be referred to hospital. Lucy attended appointments with a psychiatrist who referred her to a Community Psychiatric Nurse and her journey began. Lucy had been off work for two years and decided it was time to go back to work part-time. Like Rosies’ Facebook page: www.facebook.com/rosiesenterprises
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lucy
psychotherapy a on s h t on m 6 t apies and spen diagnosed with Borderline er h t t en er f if d ed ri It weekly. I was ty and Depression. I still s a w h ic h w e m m ra prog as anxie l el w s a the future. er in d e or er is h t D t y t ou li a p n el h so Per p and hope to u ro g ly k ee w a d y vacancies, nothey do en n a att e er w e er h t if lised what t Cafe asking I came to Rostieh’se cafe was all about. When Iisrewaould be a good knowing what ted their criteria I thought th and that I fit me. with lots ed k or w e v a h I opportunity for – erience for me ith various mental health p ex t a re g a n ee b Rosie’s has backgrounds w nd everyone has a good t en er f if d ll a m ro of people f is a fantastic team spirit a pful and encouraging illnesses. There of each other. The staff are helugh your bad days. I understanding of patience and assist you thro fidence back and and have lots ew skills and have gained my con again. have learned n led me to believe and like myself e to train as k li ld ou w that has enab I if ed ie’s I was ask st year I became a staff os R t a e im t y m h g Throu as of March laweek. In the future I hope to d n a er k or w l a n io a sess o 23 hours per organisations that assist t p u k or w d n a er memb er within other e back my experience in re a c y m er h rt u f e mayb can giv I so h lt ea h l a t en people with m ing with mental health. r support ei h t or f rs se u dealing and liv e ic aff and serv hat Rosie’s is a unique st e h t k n a h t o t e k ple know t you. I would li eo p t le o t d n a r over the last yaeand it helps get the best out of place to work 31
Turning Point Scotland 54 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 1JL Tel: 0141 427 8200 www.turningpointscotland.com Charity No SCO28827 (Scotland)