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Service user helped to find courage to change
"I trust them and tell them things I find difficult to talk about. I have never been judged even when I am drinking.."
The service user, a 46-year-old lady, has had an alcohol problem since the age of 14. She attended a residential school due to a chaotic life at home and states this was as a result of her being sexually abused. After two violent relationships she had six children who were all taken into foster care. She then became homeless and lived rough staying in homeless hostels for many years. She continued to live chaotically where alcohol was a major issue. Although she always advised that she wished to address this, she felt she did not have the courage, nor did she trust the services that could have helped her.
THE ISSUES
Housing was a major issue as the individual had lived in a temporary furnished flat for three years at the time of referral. The individual was also isolated due to lack of engagement with services. As a result of this, she would miss appointments relating to her children who were in foster care. Due to alcohol misuse her physical wellbeing had suffered, and she was not registered with a GP. Following the abuse she suffered throughout her life, implementing counselling services was of paramount importance.
SUPPORT PLAN
It was agreed that the individual would accept twice weekly supports to build therapeutic relationships. Services including housing, GP, addiction\counselling services were agreed as areas the individual required support with. These were all implemented although this took a lot of time and effort due to lack of engagement with services. Attending appointments continued to be sporadic in the first six months following initial contact. Additional supports during more chaotic periods were offered.
PROGRESS MADE
The individual engaged with the service and built up positive relationships with staff. She was given support to register with a GP and was encouraged and supported her to attend appointments regarding her children. Loretto contacted housing to enquire about her rights for her own tenancy and supported her to attend counselling and addiction services. This outcome was achieved by working in partnership with other agencies to achieve common objectives, resulting in positive outcomes for the individual.
THE FUTURE
Ongoing support will be provided to help the service user maintain her new permanent tenancy and she will be referred to agencies within the local area for additional help. At present, she is abstaining from alcohol and wishes support to pursue volunteer work. Due to the positive relationships and trust she has built up with our service, these supports can be sustained.
IN HER OWN WORDS...
The service user says: "I trust them and tell them things I find difficult to talk about. I have never been judged even when I am drinking. Staff support me to attend meetings that I would not normally attend due to feeling uncomfortable with other services. They praise and encourage me in everything I do even something as simple as buying food instead of alcohol. They helped me to contact housing and now I have my own tenancy my first in 15 years. I felt stressed during the move and they gave me more support to help me see the benefits of this new house."