50 Voices
EMMA-LEIGH 50 Voices captures the authentic voice of the people that use our services and our staff as Turning Point celebrates its 50th anniversary
50 Voices
Emma-Leigh Johnson
50 Voices
Emma-Leigh Johnson
Emma-Leigh Johnson has been with Turning Point for nine years. Emma-Leigh works as a substance misuse Project Worker at Drug and Alcohol Service in South Westminster.
When did you start working at Turning Point? September 2005 - I was part of the Graduate Trainee Scheme. I had just finished a Degree in Linguistics and I wanted to get into Social Care. I only found out about the job the day of the deadline as I had missed work due to the knockon from the 7th July bombings. I was looking at the TP website and I filled out my application that same day. As it was after the deadline I contacted head office and handed it in person the next day. I was then accepted and became one of the 9 Ladies of the Graduate Scheme. I was lucky to do placements in Vanguard, Hackney. ACAPS in Brixton, Barnet Learning Disability, and Hungerford North, latterly N7. I then left for two years (2007) to work for another agency and hated it so came back to work for the Hungerford in Soho (July 2009) and I’ve been here ever since.
What are your main responsibilities in your job? I work Thursdays at the Antidote Service targeting Westminster persons who come to the drop-in and informing them about our service. I also give safer injecting and overdose prevention advice. I also work on Saturdays doing Key Working in the glorious backdrop of Westminster Abbey.
50 Voices
Emma-Leigh Johnson
What is unique about your service in the way it supports service users? The service has a wealth of experience and talent from the staff team so there is always someone new and something new to learn. It’s important to know that there is not one set way of approaching addiction and it’s great to have so much new insight.
What is the biggest challenge you face on a day-to-day basis? My biggest challenge on a day to day basis is balancing my time as a student, mother, wife, and project worker. It can be hard as they are all four very different hats but I love what I do. In the job itself, I’d say that working part time is the biggest challenge as I don’t get to see all of the team as much.
Why are you passionate about being a part of Turning Point?
Turning Point is honestly a nice place to work; they take you as you are.
I worked for another agency that refused to put their head above the parapet when it came to changing service approach. That was the moment, when the Director said his organisation didn’t do change, when I knew Turning Point was the place to be. You will see Victor commenting on public changes and events. I find it comforting to know that the organisation does want change and does something to exact it, rather than just bobbing along. Turning Point is honestly a nice place to work; they take you as you are. They’re not just looking for people who look good on paper, they care about everyone that makes up the organisation, and people are given opportunities. That’s why Turning Point can boast of having ex-service users working as peer mentors and project workers; people who have gone through the same issues and have come out stronger.
50 Voices
Emma-Leigh Johnson
What is the best part of your job? Those moments when people get well and life for them is worth living again. To see people who were so ill then manage to go on and get degrees, or new jobs or have children and a family is just amazing.
What skill do you have that helps you do your job to the best of your ability?
It’s important not to lose hope, it helps me do my job better and to reassure people that they can get well too; there is hope.
Not losing hope. No matter how bad a time people are going through, I always have the success stories in my mind; the people who have got better. Working in the needle exchange and doing key work, you’re not working with people at the stage where they’re getting better so someone getting well is an exciting occasion. It’s important not to lose hope, it helps me do my job better and to reassure people that they can get well too; there is hope.
What is the biggest misconception about people with substance misuse issues? I think there are two main big misconceptions about people with substance misuses issues. The first is how much people know. I think outsiders assume that people with substance misuse issues know exactly what drug they’re taking, how to take it and what it does to their body which often isn’t the case. Secondly I think there’s a misconception that drinking and taking drugs is an indulgent, glamorous lifestyle. Some think that life’s pretty sweet for people with these issues and it’s not. That’s why they come to us for support in getting back on their feet.
50 Voices
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