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WithYou

@withyou

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Here to help, not judge 💙
💡 Harm reduction advice
🔎 Drug & alcohol facts & safer use tips
📍 Free, confidential support

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Ken is proof that it's never too late to find a new path, especially when that path leads to helping others.

After a 30-year career in IT, Ken found himself at a crossroads. At 63, he took a leap of faith by volunteering for @withyoucornwall.

"I was horrified to see how many people were stigmatised and marginalised because of issues with drugs and alcohol. I knew I wanted to make a difference," says Ken.

From the very start of his training, he knew he'd made the right choice. Volunteering opened Ken's eyes to the challenges people face on their recovery journeys. Inspired by his experience, he went on to become a certified hypnotherapist and qualified counsellor.

With community support and a willingness to take that first step, anyone can find renewed purpose and make a lasting difference in the lives of others. 👏

Tap the link in our bio to read Ken's full story. by @withyou

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2 days ago

As #RecoveryMonth draws to a close, our support continues all year round.

Throughout September, we’ve shared stories of hope and resilience, showing the different ways recovery can look and reminding us that there is no single path to recovery. Recovery takes time, and it rarely happens in a straight line.

Whether you’re already on your recovery journey, considering taking the first step, or looking for support for someone you care about, you don’t have to face it alone.

We’re here to help. Find your nearest WithYou service or speak to a recovery worker through our free, confidential webchat.

More information in our bio. 💙 by @withyou

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4 days ago

From recovery festivals and Kiltwalks to service events, rounders, picnics and bowling, our teams across the country have had so many opportunities this #RecoveryMonth to come together with clients, partners, friends and family to celebrate and share what recovery means to them.

These are just some of the ways we’ve been championing recovery, celebrating progress and making recovery visible.

As Recovery Month comes to a close, our support doesn’t. We’re here all year round, supporting people to make positive changes in their lives.

If you’re looking for support or thinking about reaching out, we’re here. 💙 by @withyou

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4 days ago

Before Michelle became a recovery worker with WithYou in Dumfries and Galloway, she had her own journey through substance use, prison and recovery.

Michelle used heroin for 12 years and had been in and out of prison by 2008. After spending Christmas away from her daughter, she knew something had to change.

She joined a local group, learned new skills and eventually found work in a call centre, where she spent 12 years rebuilding her life and supporting her family.

When a friend suggested the @scottishdrugsforum traineeship, Michelle didn't think she'd be accepted. But she got a place, working towards her Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) through a placement with WithYou.

Today, she supports people with their goals, triggers and coping strategies, leads on injecting equipment provision and runs a weekly women's group she set up in 2024.

Michelle knows recovery isn't always quick or straightforward. She also knows how difficult that first step can be.

"It doesn't matter if somebody's been in a service a hundred times. That hundred-and-first time might be the time they make that change."

This #RecoveryMonth, if you're thinking about reaching out, you don't need to have all the answers. We're here to help. Tap the link in our bio to read Michelle's full story. 💬 by @withyou

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5 days ago

Today we're celebrating the Pharmacist colleagues across our organisation this #WorldPharmacistDay 👋

Behind the scenes of our drug and alcohol support, highly skilled teams are working every day to help people make positive, lasting changes to their drug and alcohol use.

Their work is an important part of the support we provide, so today we're shining a light on the people behind the scenes who make a real difference everyday.

This year's theme, ‘Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures', couldn't be more fitting for our pharmacy teams. From leadership to client-facing roles, our pharmacists bring specialist knowledge, experience and a unique perspective to our services. They help people get the right support at the right time and work towards a healthier future.

Pictured is our Central Meds Management Team and Cornwall Pharmacy Technicians. Our Director of Pharmacy, Abie Wilson, is celebrating the team:

"On World Pharmacist Day it's a pleasure to shout out to our growing team of highly skilled Pharmacists within the organisation. These professionals provide a unique skill set and perspective, in both leadership and client-facing roles, and go above and beyond to support clients within our services. A big thank you to you all!" 💙 by @withyou

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9 days ago

Meet Lisa Wakely, music artist, author and storyteller. ✨

Writing has been part of Lisa's life since she was 12, and her love of magical stories has stayed with her ever since.

While writing her newest novel, Lisa created a song to step into the world of her protagonist, Mordred, a young musician facing challenges with drugs and alcohol.

That song, ‘I'm A Warrior', became something much bigger. What started as a creative insight into her character became a powerful release, and an opportunity to raise money and awareness for WithYou.

Lisa also worked with WithYou's young ambassadors, inviting them to read chapters of her novel and share their thoughts on how experiences with drugs, alcohol and recovery were represented. Their insight helped Lisa make sure these experiences were portrayed honestly and authentically.

When it came to releasing ‘I'm A Warrior', supporting WithYou was a natural fit. 💙

Lisa says: “Since its release, I have seen the song connect with people who have real experience of addiction, either personally or through someone they love. That has made the project feel much bigger than the fictional character who first inspired it.”

🎶 Tap the link in our bio to learn more about Lisa's story. by @withyou

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10 days ago

Before managing WithYou in South Ayrshire, Roberta McClung spent more than 20 years struggling with substance use herself before she found her way into recovery.

When she first came to WithYou as a client in 2016, her initial reason was a practical one. She wanted a bus pass. What followed was the beginning of a much bigger change. Through meeting others in recovery, becoming part of a community and volunteering at local recovery cafes, Roberta found connection and the tools to move forward.

She went on to become a lived experience worker, then moved into outreach worker before joining us as a recovery worker in 2021. Within a year, she was a Team Leader and later became Service Manager, completing qualifications and training along the way.

Today, Roberta’s service brings together a dedicated recovery team, ROADS Family Support, Connect4Change and a regular presence at the Compass drop-in hub. Working in partnership and sharing spaces makes it easier for people to access the right support.

Around 60% of the team have lived experience of their own, bringing insight and understanding to the support they provide.

This #RecoveryMonth, we’re proud of Roberta and the whole South Ayrshire team, and everything they do to support people in their community every day. 💙 by @withyou

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11 days ago

New synthetic opioids are making Scotland's drug supply more dangerous than ever, and it's a warning sign for the rest of the UK too.

The BBC spoke to our National Harm Reduction Lead, Gareth Balmer, about the rise of nitazenes and other lab-made substances now turning up across the country. As Gareth puts it, "I don't think drugs have ever been as risky or as dangerous as they are now."

These substances are so new and change so fast that many people have no idea they exist, let alone the risks. That's why naloxone, which can reverse an opioid overdose, needs to be in the hands of families and communities, not just services. We provide naloxone training and supplies as part of our own support in Scotland.

But new drugs alone don't explain why people die. What we see, again and again, is how closely this is tied to poverty, poor health, trauma and isolation. People are trying to cope with things that started long before their drug use did. We need to keep asking why so many people use drugs in the first place. No policy on its own will be enough until we do.

If you're worried about your own drug or alcohol use, or someone else's, we're here. No judgement, just support.

Gareth will be on TV and radio throughout the day but you can read the full BBC report in the comments. by @withyou

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14 days ago

Can’t remember what happened the night before? We get it.

Starting uni is exciting, and when you’re caught up in the moment, it’s easy to go a little overboard.

Whether you're heading off to uni yourself or know someone who is, you can still get stuck into the fun while keeping safety and wellbeing in mind.

Here’s our tips on how to make informed choices along the way. 👉

Need someone to talk to? If things ever feel overwhelming, you can chat to a recovery worker for free and confidential advice on our website. Check the link in our bio for more info. 💬 by @withyou

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18 days ago

🎓 Freshers’ Week is here! You’re probably looking forward to new friends, new experiences and nights out. 🙌

But how do you make the most of Freshers’ Week while keeping yourself safe?

Our @wearewithyoulancs for Young People team and Young Ambassadors share their top five tips to help you have a safer, more enjoyable Freshers’ Week. 💙

We’re not here to tell you to stop drinking or using substances completely. We’re here to work alongside you, whatever your goals. Whether you want to know more about substances, make safer and more informed choices, or simply drink a little less, we’re here to support you.

So, if you’re heading to Uni this year, save this for later and share it with your mates. It could help you have a better Freshers’ Week.💬 by @withyou

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20 days ago

Our fabulous Scottish Borders team took on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk today, a sponsored walk raising money for charities across Scotland.

Team members took on either the 24-mile Mighty Stride or the 11-mile Big Stroll, joined by friends and family for the day.

They've raised more than £1,500 so far (before Gift Aid), helping us support more people affected by drugs or alcohol across the Scottish Borders.

Donate below 👇 by @withyou

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21 days ago

From personal struggles and different jobs to a decade of purpose in support work, Gregor’s story is a powerful reminder this #RecoveryMonth that recovery can open the door to new possibilities. 💙

After a stay in a psychiatric hospital became a turning point, Gregor joined the @scottishdrugsforum traineeship, overcoming his fear of employment and beginning a new chapter. After his drinking and mental health became unmanageable, holding down jobs was a challenge.

“I couldn't hold jobs down because of my mental health and my drinking.”

Placements led to his first role in the sector, and Gregor has now spent 10 years with WithYou, where he works as a trainer facilitator, using his own lived experience to create impactful drug and alcohol training.

Today, he’s helping roll out new training across the organisation, bringing his visual arts background into the design of learning materials. And, as Gregor says, the learning goes both ways:

“Our workers energise me with their enthusiasm. I learn from them all the time.”

Outside of work, Gregor has returned to painting, continues to develop film scripts with a producer, and holds a black belt in karate, a discipline he returned to during his recovery.

His story is one of resilience, growth and finding purpose, and a reminder that recovery is possible, and it can lead somewhere you never expected. 🌱

Tap the link in our bio to read Gregor's full story. by @withyou

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23 days ago