Sarah Wilson is part of a close knit ‘family’ of dedicated staff at Liverpool’s new Hope Centre. She supports people who come in for intensive and often life changing drug and alcohol detox programmes.
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he 56 year old nursing assistant turns back the clock every time she walks through the doors. Sarah has put a life blighted by drugs misuse behind her; but it’s that experience of walking in their shoes that enables her to empathise. She can recall vividly walking into what was then the Kevin White Unit on Smithdown Health Park. “If it wasn’t for the services available and the support of the staff back then I wouldn’t be here.” Sarah began using drugs at 17 while living in Blackpool. “I had a good job in a big department store but my self esteem was low and the group of people I seemed to fit in with were all taking drugs.”
Barbiturates and prescription drugs led to heroin. By 23 she was in a spiral of descent that would ultimately lead to broken relationships and her young children going into care. It was only when she moved to Liverpool and went into treatment that she quit drugs for good. “I remember my psychiatrist asking back then what I wanted to do with my life. I said: ‘work here as a support worker.’ They advised me to get some qualifications, so I went on a counselling course and went back as a volunteer.
If it wasn’t for the services available and the support of the staff back then I would not be here.
“I learned a lot about myself in those years. You can never get back lost time so when this job came up I jumped at the chance; it was my way of putting some things to right. I know what people have been through. I want to give them hope.”
WHAT IS THE HOPE CENTRE? Hope Centre offers inpatient recovery focused detoxification and stabilisation programmes to people with complex needs, such as multiple drug and substance use, physical or mental health issues and complex social needs. Treatment programmes are as unique as the person, helping them prevent a relapse, set goals, improve their self esteem and make plans in readiness for discharge. Former service users often take part, sharing their stories, their own development and how they are maintaining a drugs free lifestyle.
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