West Glamorgan Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Limited

Cyngor Camddefnydd Alcohol a Chyffuriau Gorwellin Morgannwg

WGCADA

ESF Peer Mentoring Project

This project has been supported by the

European Social Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government

www.wgcada.org

Swansea

40 St James Crescent

Uplands, Swansea SA1 6DR

01792 306870

Foreword

Bridgend

4 Gaylard Buildings

Court Road, Bridgend CF31 1BD

01656 667717

Neath & Port Talbot

15 Victoria Gardens

Neath SA11 3AY

01639 633630

The included case studies are

taken from people who have

been on the project and have

benefited in some way from

the services that they’ve

received. Each case study

demonstrates the real

changes that the project can

make to people’s lives and we

hope that you enjoy reading

them.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our volunteer Dean

Harris for all his hard work in

putting this booklet together.

1 14

Thank You

To all the people who have contributed their stories to this booklet,

and to all the others who have their own stories to share.

Thank you for being a part of this project.

- from all of the staff and volunteers

WGCADA’s Peer Mentoring Project can be accessed by anyone who has been

affected by substance misuse, either personally or through family members.

The aim of the project is to help participants realise the skills and talents that

they have, achieve their full potential and enhance their quality of life.

If you have been affected in any way and you are looking to move forward, then

this project can provide the help and support you need.

What is Peer Mentoring?

The project offers a range of services such as 1-1 mentoring, Personal

Development courses, access to specialist courses such as First Aid and Food

Hygiene, Volunteering opportunities and help with gaining employment. We

will work with you to look at the best plan for you.

What’s available?

Who are the mentors?

Mentors have been specially recruited and selected. They will be understanding

and supportive and they will work to help you make your own decisions.

Listen to you and will not judge you.

Will help you identify your skills and talents.

Will write an action plan for you and help you work through it.

Support and be there for you.

Work at your pace.

Make decisions with you and not for you.

Mentors:

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12 Cafe is a social enterprise located in Taibach that was established by

WGCADA officially in February 2011. WGCADA’s volunteers and service users

have been involved with this project from the outset and their views and ideas

have been extremely important and have had a major influence on how the

cafe has developed. The café volunteers also have the opportunity to enrol on

any of the work based NVQ’s in catering and hospitality in partnership with

Excelsior Plus Project, Bridgend College. It was decided that the theme for the

cafe was serenity and with the help and generous

donations of service users and volunteers; the

theme has been achieved with artistic decor

throughout. To date the cafe has hosted several

events. One of the first organised by Peer

Mentoring was a Curry Night for WGCADA staff,

volunteers and service users and also staff/service

users from partnership agencies. 12 cafe have also

hosted an open mic evening and a Europe week

event involving taster tables that were stocked

each day with delights and delicacies from which ever country that was being

featured that day. Both proved to be very successful events. One of the events

that caused the most excitement was the visit to the cafe by our patron,

Hollywood actor and local boy Michael Sheen. Additionally, we have also been

very busy looking after the environmental side of the business. The cafe

recycles glass, tin and cardboard and is working towards Fair trade

certification.

I’m 43 years old and I have been an alcoholic for around 15 years. Towards the

end of 2010, I had hit my all time low and realised had to make drastic changes

to my life. I knew that I couldn’t fight my illness on my own, so I referred myself

to WGCADA.

The hardest part of engaging with WGCADA’s services was the initial walk

through the door, and admitting I am an alcoholic and that I needed help. I was

greeted by friendly and welcoming staff and instantly felt at ease. I began to

attend the pre-treatment group and was referred to the peer mentoring project.

I was introduced to a peer mentor who explained to me the projects aims, what

courses they had to offer and also what diversionary activities I might be

interested in. I was instantly impressed and promptly signed myself up for one to

one mentoring, the beginners IT course as well as the personal development

courses they provide. I was nervous but began to gain in confidence and self

esteem. I have now completed all 5 courses, a relapse prevention course and

gained a first aid certificate. I have progressed from pre-treatment to the

towards recovery group and from the beginners IT course to the more advanced

ECDL qualification. I have also been introduced to new activities such as the

watercolour workshop, guitar lessons and have taken part in a 4 day camping

trip. I never knew I could have so much fun sober.

I feel like a different person to the one I was 12 months ago. My self-worth,

confidence and all round vigour for life has improved dramatically. I can now say

that for the first time for years that I am enjoying life and the feeling of being

alive. I could not have made these changes to my life without the fantastic

support and encouragement from my mentor, the PEER MENTORING project,

WGCADA and the COASTAL DOMINO project. They have given me belief that I

can have a better and more fulfilling life without alcohol. - WM

I first got to hear about Peer

Mentoring while I was attending a

relapse prevention group. I had

reached a point where I realised

continuing drinking was no longer an

option. I had not worked or done

anything constructive for a very long

time. I had lost belief in myself, my

confidence was low and I lacked any

sense of direction. At first I knew

nothing about the Peer Mentoring

project but agreed to listen because I

felt I had nothing to lose. After an

initial assessment I was linked to a

Mentor and for the first time for a long

while I was actually looking at my

future. We looked for something

worthwhile I could do with my time,

and I started on a basic IT course, as

well as getting involved with a variety

of activities within the project which

helped me regain a positive attitude

and get used to the idea of having

some routine in my life. After a while I

started to realise that as well as

enjoying what I was doing, I was

actually feeling good about myself

because I was doing something

positive and I was growing in

confidence at the same time without

really being aware of it.

.....After a while I was looking for the

next step forward and my mentor

discussed volunteering for the project

with me. As a volunteer I received

constant support and excellent training,

which helped me develop in a fulfilling

and rewarding environment working

alongside others who maybe had

similar experiences as me and who also

wanted to develop and progress.

Volunteering gave me an excellent

opportunity to get back to a work

situation which I never thought possible

and provided me with experience to

help me prepare for full time work.

From being at a point where I could

really not see what future I might have

and thinking that all my chances had

passed me by the Peer mentoring

project has been a bridge for me to

cross back into everyday living, helping

and supporting me gain focus and

direction, It has made aware of the

opportunities that are available and

given me the confidence and self belief

to take responsibility and realise that I

can set goals and targets for myself and

improve my quality of life.

- MR 12 3

I am a 32 year old single man who first accessed

WGCADA in February 2009 in an effort to address my

alcohol and substance misuse issues. I completed pre-

treatment and had begun primary treatment. I also

attended DOMINO alongside the treatment

interventions. In February 2010 I self referred to the

Peer Mentoring project. At one of my first mentoring

appointments I informed my mentor that I already had

a diploma in brick-laying and one in printing but wanted a career change. I had no

idea what career path I wanted to follow but expressed an interest in working in

the music business and undertaking voluntary work with disadvantaged children.

Barriers to my returning back to work were also explored (substance misuse and

criminal record). Over the next few months my mentor and I explored the training

opportunities, grants/funding and volunteering opportunities available in the

Swansea area. Together we began investigating courses in stage management,

technical theatre, production arts, music technology, and also explored

volunteering opportunities with Oxfam, the muscular sclerosis society, the Grand

theatre and the Taliesan theatre. I was actively encouraged and supported by

my mentor to enrol on a sound engineering course with Positive Direction as well

as an ESOL course. I hope to complete this course to level three which will qualify

me for UK citizenship. In addition, I also linked up with a careers advisor at

Gorseinon College to discuss the different aspects of available courses and with a

Job Centre advisor for advice on benefits and funding. In June 2010 my mentor and

I visited Llwn-Y-Bryn college to gather information on their stage management and

music technology course. At the end of June, I completed the application form for

the Btec National Diploma course in music technology and attended the head start

day in August. Thanks to the support of my mentor and the Peer Mentoring

project, I am now working towards my Btec qualification in my second year of

college and looking forward the future!

- “G”

There once was a woman from Durham

Who decided to leave and say “sod ‘em”

That’ll untie the knots...

And sort out the mess

Instead it got more mess not less

Pushed into WGCADA she fought and

she kicked

“Can’t do it” “They hate me” she winged

They stuck with her, however

And ‘what do you know’

Here she is ‘doing well’ now ‘there’s

clever’

I have been unemployed for

about three years. My life

consisted of watching T.V and

drinking up until about 14 months

ago when I came onto the peer

mentor project. The peer

mentoring project has helped me

to reduce the amount of alcohol I

drink by giving me something

constructive to do. I have

attended computer courses and I

have started an N.V.Q English

course that I hope will help me get

a job in the future. I have

recently started an E.C.D.L.

computer course with peer

mentoring on Learn Direct. I am

hoping that this will help my

computer skills to improve my

chances of finding work in the

future. Being with Peer mentoring

has also helped my confidence

and I am more outgoing now than

I have been in the last few years.

September 2005 aged 61 I left home to live

in Wales. My husband had died of liver

failure 9 years before that and I had retired

from work. My three daughters stayed

where they were. Heavy drinking and

prescription drugs had always been a big

part of my life and it had spiralled out of all

proportion. Unbearable and becoming

mentally and physically ill, I reached rock

bottom 16th July 2008 when I had my last

drink and became a member of the

WGCADA family. Through their continued

love and support, sanity and serenity were

gradually restored. During the last 3 years I

have learned and achieved more than I can

ever remember do ing before .

Overwhelmed with gratitude I have enjoyed

volunteer status for more than 6 months

and am now reunited with my beloved

daughters and grandchildren in Co. Durham.

I am sorry to miss the celebration event but

WGCADA has enabled me to progress to the

extent of moving back home. My girls and I

are eternally grateful – the words thank you

really don’t cover it but – THANK YOU

4 11

I became involved with Peer Mentoring in 2010. I reached a

point in my life where I wanted to gain new skills and

qualifications.

I completed an IT course in 2010 and I am currently studying

English with an essential skills class, which takes place at Neath

WGCADA. I first met my Peer Mentor at Port Talbot WGCADA at

around January 2010 and since then my confidence is definitely

starting to improve. I do feel now that I can set myself new

goals and achieve them, as long as I set my mind on them. I

have always had a passion for sport and in the long term I’m

hoping to find work in that area. My dream would be to coach

youth football or any other sports; that would be great! I

obviously want to gain more qualifications so I’ve got other

avenues I can go down, in case it doesn’t work out. I hope to

find full time work of some kind but not thinking too far ahead

at the moment.

All thanks to W.G.C.A.D.A and the Peer Mentors!

- TD

I’m a thirty two year old with a plan for the future. It was not always like that.

Confusion, temptation and drug addiction. I never liked school when I was

younger. All I wanted to do was get off it whenever I could. Now I’m at that

stage when life’s too short to carry on the way things were. I never thought I’d

say this but I now love to learn and gain qualifications for a career. It seems I’ve

opened my eyes and grown up. I plan to go to college again and peer mentoring

is making that possible for me. My mentor is willing to support me all the way

so I can change my life for the better. There’s a variety of choice which is there

if you want it. I’m also interested in attending the personal development

courses. I’m currently attending maths and English classes that I am enjoying

very much. I’m in a much better position now in my life all because of the will

to change and my future is also rosy because of peer mentoring. - GR

5 10

I have been a part of the Peer Mentor

project for just over a year now. I

completed the basic computer course

and I’m now doing the ECDL course. I

have completed the first aid course, and

the personal development courses. I find

that they help me on a day to day basis.

I also engage with the COASTAL project

and particularly enjoy working at the

allotment. I have also helped with the

WGCADA garden to the rear of the

building. The true value of both the Peer

Mentor and COASTAL projects cannot be

gauged in monetary terms but in how I

feel about myself and how others around

me feel also.

The staff are second to none. I have now

started attending the “Towards

Recovery” group which I find really

helpful. It is somewhere I can speak

openly and freely and I have the facility

to help others who are experiencing

similar things to me.

The Peer Mentor project has been and

continues to be a really positive thing in

my life. I do not know where I would be

without it and the people involved in it,

both staff and other mentees. Thank you

Peer Mentors.

I am a 21 year old lady who came to

WGCADA over six months ago with

alcohol issues. I was at University

undertaking a degree in English

Literature and struggling with

personal issues that lead me to abuse

alcohol. I was referred to an Alcohol

Worker and subsequently on to the

Peer Mentor Project after four

months. I was looking for direction in

gaining employment and with my

Mentor I explored all of my options. I

have also completed Personal

Development courses to build my

confidence. After applying for three

jobs, I secured a job interview at a

restaurant and was offered a part

time position. I enjoy my work very

much and I’m grateful that my

Mentor and the Peer Mentor Project

will be able to support me further

over the next twelve months.

- “C”

I heard about Peer Mentoring internally at WGCADA whilst attending the

DOMINO project. Although my drinking and using was at a more manageable

level than it had been for quite some time, I was still complacent with my

misery and had absolutely no direction or motivation. My complete lack of

confidence and self esteem also made it very hard to take any positive steps

to improve my quality of living.

A time came when I realised that I got all that I could out of diversionary

activities and I had the choice to remain static or at least try something that

could help me change. I signed up for Peer Mentoring and attended a few

meetings with my mentor at the time. I was so desperate to change; I

became inwardly focused and resentful towards myself because the change

wasn’t immediate. I stopped attending WGCADA entirely and didn’t leave

my house unless I really had to. I spent around two or three months feeling

sorry for myself and avoiding daylight completely.

This lifestyle...wasn’t a lifestyle. It certainly wasn’t any way to live. I found

myself dealing with another choice. I could end my life; or I stop feeling sorry

for myself and take at least one step forward. The step that I chose to take

was coming back to WGCADA and to Peer Mentoring.

Almost immediately I felt welcome and respected. People were listening to

my opinions and giving theirs back. It wasn’t long before I felt that I had a

voice again...and I was using it. I took on responsibilities that I never would

have before and started to shock myself with the outcomes. I realised that I

am not useless; I am not an idiot. The support was always there for me, all I

had to do was walk through the door. Peer Mentoring has also made me

realise that all of these abilities and accomplishments were always within my

reach, I just had to have some faith in myself.

I am now strictly a social drinker and I don’t use drugs. I have a direction in

my life and I am working towards it with all of the support that I need along

the way. I have never felt more comfortable in my own skin and I owe so

much of that to Peer Mentoring. - DH

I came to WGCADA in April and everyone here is very supportive and helpful. I enjoy coming here and I have learnt a lot in the few months. Since I joined the Peer Mentor Project I have completed all the personal development courses, confidence building, stress management, anger management, self esteem and listening skills. I have also done a first aid course and I am doing the ECDL computer course. I had my first exam today and passed. I enjoy coming to acupuncture with Linda on a Tuesday, it chills me out for the day.

I always look forward to coming here for my appointments with Gaynor. She

is very supportive and is always there if I need a chat. I have also learnt that

it is possible to have fun without drinking. I attend the music class here on a

Thursday which is a good laugh.

All the staff here and people here are all very friendly. - NE

I was referred in April 2010 to peer mentoring as a family member due to

being with my husband. We were referred together to start with because we

were starting our own business. Peer mentoring then decided it would be

better for us to have our own peer mentors so we could get more done.

Through the peer mentoring project we were able to contact Progress to

Work, Shaw Trust and other agencies to help with our business. Also I have

been on a number of courses and I have enjoyed every single one, these

courses were very helpful to me. One of the courses was ASSIST, which is

intervention of suicide, this was a very informative course and I would have

to say that everyone should try it. Peer mentoring helped me get onto

ASSIST.

Through peer mentoring I have completed my support placement course and

am waiting to do further courses to become a volunteer, also I have done a

mosaic course which was in two parts. The first part was for design and the

second was to make the design, both of these parts were OCN accredited. At

the moment I am doing a computer course which is ECDL, this is very helpful

as most jobs expect you now to have computer experience.

Peer Mentoring have helped me a lot. They are there to help you when you

need it. - SL

6 9

Your training

Your development .....................YOUR FUTURE!

This innovative and exciting project is focused on helping people build their

confidence, develop new skills and identify opportunities. Here are just

some of the services that the project is offering:-

Personal Development

Anger management, stress, assertiveness,

communication and confidence courses

ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence),

Literacy Numeracy & ICT, First Aid, Food

Hygiene - all delivered on our premises

Qualifications

Volunteering opportunities allowing you to use

your skills constructively

Links to other projects that will help you get to

where you want to be

Support with one of our team of peer mentors who

will focus on helping you achieve your goals

Build Confidence Develop skills Create opportunities

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