Adrian's Story

When Adrian learned he could live in our community long-term it brought tears to his eyes and a massive sense of relief. It meant he could continue his recovery journey and the volunteering that he had started. He was invited to be responsible for our allotment. From this, he began to study and develop new career aspirations. The biggest thing for him was the peace of mind.

“I always knew that recovery wasn't just about going to rehab. I'd accepted that it was not just the six months or year journey. That's why I had applied to the move on house (provided by the rehab for one year).” 

Eight months in, it was time for me to start looking for somewhere to live 

“The time went so quickly. Eight months in, it was time for me to start looking for somewhere to live. Now that caused me quite a lot of anxiety because I was still trying to sort myself out. And I was still very early on in my recovery journey, having to start thinking about where I was going to live and the financial implications like getting a job to pay for accommodation (in the wider community).  

That was starting to creep in and cause me anxiety. Although I don't know why because up to then God had been so good.” 

The chance to stay in the property long-term was a massive relief 

“I heard that Hope and Vision Communities were going to be taking over the move on houses from the rehab and I was told there was a good chance that I would be able to stay within that programme. So that was just a massive, huge relief for me. Yeah, that was amazing to me. That was really God working at the exact right timing.  

It still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. It really was God. The chance to stay in the property long-term meant I could carry on concentrating on everything that I'd been working on up to then. I applied and I was allowed to stay. Incredibly blessed that I could actually stay in the same house. So, it was brilliant. Being here meant that I could carry on, knowing that I’ve got a safe place. Peace of Mind was the main thing.” 

It really is top quality and that helps make the place feel like a home 

“Tony and the team came in and made it amazing. It really is top quality and that helps make the place feel like a home and it really does feel like home. So, it meant that I could I carry on concentrating on my recovery and do a lot of voluntary work.  

It's a really good place and a chance to learn how to budget. Even the last monthly group residents meeting gave us a space to talk about budgeting.” 

I was given responsibility for the allotment. That became part of my recovery 

“In terms of volunteering, I started in a cafe, serving tables and preparing drinks. I ended up cooking there as well. I was at the cafe for three years and one year was whilst I was with Hope and Vision. I now volunteer at Thrive, helping to support the client gardeners there who have additional needs. I also drive for Age Concern. I think doing charity or voluntary work is very important because addiction is all about self. It is about being selfish and so doing volunteer work really helps. It's not just paying back. You know, there can be a bit of that, but it's also very good to live a life where you're giving and learning to give rather than just take.  

I continued doing counselling and at the beginning of my journey with Hope and Vision, I was asked if I wanted to be involved with the allotments. I said yes.  Working on the Hope and Vision allotment started to bring back the seeds of doing gardening when I was younger, because I have lived in South Africa, quite close to nature, so it kind of brought that back a bit. I was given responsibility for the Hope and Vision allotment. I really enjoyed that and that became part of my recovery, getting close to nature. Just the whole healing process of nature and the activity as well.” 

I've been able to concentrate on my new course because of this place 

“So, I took that on, and I was really enjoying that and my keyworker asked me “Have you heard of therapeutic horticulture?” It was all about using gardening for therapy. I looked into that and again it was amazing that there was a 4-yearly world conference going on. The world conference happened to be that summer and it just happened to be in Reading, where I was living. I went along, met lots of people, and thought, “well, let's look at doing a course in that”. I could afford to do that in terms of time because I had this place here (the Hope and Vision home to live in) so that opportunity was available to me to look at doing. The main organiser for this type of course is quite local and they do a diploma, so I applied for that. I was accepted. I started that two-year course last September. It's really hard work but I've been able to concentrate on that without having to take on full time work. It really is because of this place I have here with Hope and Vision and the support that's given me.” 

It's incredible where my journey has taken me. I have this grand opportunity 

“In terms of hope, I look back four and a half years and I had no hope whatsoever. I was in a very dark place. This is just before I came back to England from living abroad, to go to rehab. It's incredible where my journey has taken me to, four and a half years later. I don't have specific plans, but I certainly have this grand opportunity with the course and I will see how I can integrate that. This course has given me the opportunity to explore that. I'm looking at the chance to develop a programme which can be used in a rehab environment. There's a need and an opportunity. It would be interesting to explore that in the next year and I have the chance to do that now.” 

Those first years are vital and being in this environment is so special and valuable 

“I knew that recovery was more than just six months in a rehab and I'd already discussed with my family that I was going to spend two years to really concentrate on it. But it's only now that I realise how it just goes on and on. Probably working on recovery never stops really, but those first years are just so vital and that's where being in this environment is just so special and valuable. Being able to work on that.” 

Don’t rush to get into the real world straight away, use the opportunity for recovery 

“Advice to people coming into Hope and Vision Communities? Well, this is such a fantastic opportunity to carry on with recovery. Don’t rush into trying to get into the real world straight away. Use the opportunity to carry on with recovery. It could be going to meetings, counselling, and volunteer work as well. Because you may only get one chance of that. We get so much support from Hope and Vision staff and keyworkers. Use that and reach out before anything becomes a problem, and realise staff are there for you. They really are there to support you.” 

Adrian's Keyworker, Leo said:

“I think Adrian has always known that he loved plants, but I don't believe he foresaw a potential career in that. He is capable of doing it and the allotment is getting to be quite productive. He's doing pretty much everything that you could ask of someone, and he does it because he finds it valuable. It's not without its difficulties, but he is willing to put effort into it. Adrian is a good example of what's achievable in recovery with effort.” 

We think Adrian is inspiring!