50 Voices
WILLIAM 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
William Barber
50 Voices
William Barber
William Barber first came to Turning Point in 2012 where he received support from one of Turning Point’s services; a rehabilitation service in Chester. He currently works as a Senior Peer Mentor at Smithfield and at the rehabilitation services at Leigh Bank and Chester.
It was after a suicide attempt that the hospital referred me to the community psychiatric nurse My alcoholism had become so severe that I was suffering from peripheral neuropathy. This stopped my nerves from functioning properly and it got to the point that I couldn’t even walk. On the 26th of July 2012 I was taken by ambulance from my home to hospital and admitted for an emergency detox. I was in such a bad way that the doctors couldn’t transfer me into the intensive care unit it as there was such a high probability that I would have been dead within 8 hours, regardless of if I was in intensive care or not. They could only allow the transfer if I made it past 48 hours and I did. I spent 10 days in a high dependency unit before being transferred back to the mental health care unit. As an informal patient I was eventually discharged but only into a rehab. My local council provided a list of services that I could have gone to but after doing some research there was something about Turning Point that struck a chord with me.
50 Voices
William Barber
It wasn’t until I’d been at the rehabilitation unit in Chester for two weeks that I realised that I needed support from Turning Point.
I always use the word “recovery” and not recovered because it’s a continuous effort for me to maintain my recovery.
To be honest when I first got there I didn’t think I needed help at all; I was convinced that I was well enough to not be there. I was reluctant for and anxious about the support; I didn’t want to be there and thought I was wasting both my time and the members of staff’s time too. It was after those initial two weeks that I began to understand that I didn’t have a clue who I was simply because I had played so many roles in my life. What Turning Point helped me to do was to find the real me! Until you know who you are as a person, you can’t start your recovery journey. I always use the word “recovery” and not recovered because it’s a continuous effort for me to maintain my recovery.
I realised I was on the road to recovery quite early on in my journey just by being at Chester. On Saturday December 15th 2012 to be precise! That was my first meeting with my key worker, Pete. He immediately helped me to see what I needed to do, setting targets for what I needed to do and times that I had to do them by. For me this helped me to get back to a normal life by finally having some structure! Pete was fantastic because he was no-nonsense which was what I needed. I had to deal with my own debt issues and when I would try to get other people to sort these problems out for me he would make me see that I’m an adult and have to look after myself. Pete helped to change me from a person who depends on everyone else to someone who can be independent. He gave me structure and discipline that I desperately needed and both of which are normally taken for granted even though they are both so important for day to day living.
50 Voices
William Barber
I think it was fantastic how Chester incorporated group activities into daily life. We had group sessions 3 times a day everyday which provided further structure to our lives. We also had fun group activities every night. The conditions were that we had to plan and organise a fun activity for ourselves and that it had to be for at least an hour. We had quizzes, played games and ran it all ourselves! As well as giving me a sense of responsibility it helped me to socialise and to learn how to be amongst other people again. I really appreciated this because addiction can be so isolating.
Since receiving support from Turning Point I am a completely different person. I have changed fundamentally for the better!
My children tell me all the time that I am a far better father now than I have ever been in their lives. That’s the best thing ever!
Pre-Turning Point I was awful. I was egotistical, arrogant and self-centred. But now I’m an honest, grateful and peaceful person. I am definitely happy in my own company now; I’m at peace with myself. My children tell me all the time that I am a far better father now than I have ever been in their lives. That’s the best thing ever! If I could go back in time I would just tell myself “It will get better”.
Receiving support from Turning Point has given me really great opportunities. I now volunteer as a Senior Peer Mentor at Smithfield and the rehabilitation services at Leigh Bank and Chester. I also take part in training new Peer Mentors. I really enjoy working as a Senior Peer Mentor especially because I understand what the service users are going through because I’ve been there myself. What would my life be like without Turning Point? I wouldn’t have one, I’d be dead. I take my future now one day at a time and it is absolutely fantastic. I work with great people, have some wonderful friends and have truly awesome children!
50 Voices
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