Tammy was born and raised in the East End of London, where she still lives today. She struggled with alcohol addiction for years and had been in and out of rehab centres. After a big relapse, Tammy decided to detox herself, which was a dangerous and difficult process. At the same time, Tammy was going through a tough ordeal at home and her grandmother, who had always been a source of support, was dying of cancer. She felt lost and alone.
"After all of this I was sent another lifeline. I spoke with my psychiatrist and he informed me of Turning Point. He used to work for Turning Point himself and spoke highly of the organisation. I referred myself online and received a call back. From the moment I received the phone call my life began to change. I was assigned a support worker called Lauren who was amazing. By her using a person centred approach, I finally felt listened to and understood."
With the help of her support worker, Lauren, Tammy was able to take part in a Mindfulness Relapse Prevention Course, which taught her coping mechanisms to manage her cravings and urges. She also set goals for herself, including raising money for a charity and studying Business and Administration.
"When it came to the end of my course and I was no longer in need of support after 6 months, Lauren asked of my plans for the future. I told her I would love to become a support worker like her and help people the way she helped me. Not long after I received a message from her for training to become a Peer Mentor for Turning Point."
After completing the Peer Mentor and Volunteer training course, Tammy started working as a peer mentor, escorting clients to rehab and detox centres and co-facilitating programs. She even shared her story with medical students to help reduce the stigma surrounding addiction.
"My confidence began to grow and I was learning to become more sociable without having to use any substances. I had a great sense of control and freedom back. The course not only taught me about the work we would be doing and the information required, it also helped me to understand my own addiction which in turn made me even stronger in my sobriety."
Tammy's journey with Turning Point has been a remarkable one. After struggling with alcohol addiction for years, she found Turning Point, an organisation that helped her turn her life around. With the help of her support worker, Lauren, Tammy was able to take part in various programs and courses that helped her regain control of her life.
One of the most rewarding experiences for Tammy has been escorting clients to rehab and detox centres. She has travelled to Maidstone Kent, Somerset, and Plymouth, meeting and listening to inspiring women who are now doing well on their own journey. Her own experiences with addiction have helped her connect with clients and provide them with the support they need.
Tammy has also co-facilitated in the Managing Alcohol Program and introduced and co-facilitated the 5 Ways to Wellbeing group with her supervisor, Jasmin. She completed a four-week course for the Service User Involvement Forum, where she met with other users to discuss and come up with ideas for the service and community. She has also shared her story with medical students at the Royal London Hospital to help reduce the stigma surrounding addiction.
Tammy received an Inspired by Possibility award in November 2022, which was a humbling experience for her. She attended a beautiful lunch with other winners and met Julie Bass, who inspired her with her own story.
Through various training courses online, Tammy has met employees from all over the country and gained more knowledge from not only the courses but from the experience of the other employees. She is now helping to develop plans for the Anti-Stigma campaign for addiction and will be facilitating the 5 ways to wellbeing course again. She is also starting a writing course to further her personal development.
Tammy has met so many inspiring and supportive people at Turning Point who continue to support her growth and future goals. Through Turning Point's person-centred approach, she has gained control back of her life and continues to grow with a positive mindset. Having the opportunity to help others and give back is something she will be forever grateful for. Tammy's story is one of hope and resilience, proving that with the right support, anyone can turn their life around.
Note: image is not Tammy
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