Our stories
People are at the heart of everything we do and above all else, we believe in people.
We want to celebrate the amazing people who make our organisation: our staff, volunteers and the people using our services. Read their inspiring stories below.
“Before recovery, I ripped a hole through this community. Volunteering was a way of giving back.”
We spoke to Jo, who volunteers to give back to others the same belief she was shown throughout her recovery.
Read Jo's #BelieveinPeople story
“I came into this work as a volunteer and I’ve seen so much, but it’s helped me to be a stronger person.”
We spoke to Vanessa, who supports people in London as a Family Worker. She told us about one of her proudest moments supporting someone through a mental health crisis.
Read Vanessa's #BelieveInPeople story
"I had my first ever Christmas with no substances in my body, and I never thought I could live like that."
We hear from Richard who tells us that he didn't think volunteering would be his way forward but it was the best choice he ever made.
Read Richard's #BelieveInPeople story
“Recovery to me is like starting afresh. Like cogs in a wheel, the more cogs I add, the better it gets.”
We hear from Craig about his recovery journey and how he used his time in prison to discover a new purpose.
Read Craig's #BelieveInPeople story
“My confidence is growing, and I am starting to have more faith in myself and be who I want to be.”
We hear from Debbie, who was inspired by one of her peers to join Change Grow Live as a volunteer.
Read Debbie's #BelieveinPeople story
"I had given up on the dream of practicing medicine, but she instilled the confidence in me."
We hear from Dr. Catherine Muyeba who tells us about the doctor who inspired her own career.
Read Catherine's #BelieveInPeople story
“My volunteer training ignited a passion in me that I had not felt before.”
We hear from John W, who joined Change Grow Live as a volunteer and now supports people as a Recovery Coordinator. He explains how his volunteer training and new opportunities for learning helped him with his own recovery.
Read John W's #BelieveInPeople story
“My hopes for the future are to make life better for people in prison.”
We spoke to John*, who started taking drugs at 12 and went to prison at 35. He explains how believing in himself helped him to change his life, and how his experiences have inspired him to help others.
Read John's* #BelieveInPeople story
“I feel that we all have it within ourselves to change another person’s life.”
We spoke to Loren, who volunteers at our service in Brighton. She explains how her recovery from illness inspired her to change her direction.
Read Loren's #BelieveInPeople story
“My son has told all of his friends I'm in recovery. And he said it's because ‘I'm proud of you mum’.”
We spoke to Shauna, a Substance Misuse Nurse for Change Grow Live, about overcoming addiction and how important it is to believe in yourself and others.
Read Shauna's #BelieveInPeople story
“I am grateful for life, where before I didn’t care.”
We spoke to Helen, who accessed our services for help with alcohol. She explains how she overcame her reluctance to change with the support of the people around her.
Read Helen's #BelieveInPeople story
“I guarantee every family in the country will know someone struggling with an addiction.”
We spoke to Elly, a Harm Reduction Recovery Coordinator at Change Grow Live, about how she has been believing in people for nearly 30 years.
Read Elly's #BelieveInPeople story
“I don't even consider myself to be in recovery anymore. I’m just living life.”
In today’s #BelieveInPeople story, we spoke to Simon, a Recovery Worker at Change Grow Live, who shared how he is now in his dream job.
Read Simon's #BelieveInPeople story
“I’m not sure people realise how much it means to me – I haven’t quite figured it out myself yet.”
We spoke to James, who told us how he became a peer mentor to encourage and inspire other young people.
Read James's #BelieveInPeople story
“I believe no one is too broken– they just need to be believed in.”
We spoke to Gemma, who told us how the belief of a recovery worker changed her life, and how it led to her role supporting sex workers in her area.
Gemma's #BelieveInPeople story
"My life now is just amazing. I like to class myself as a positive role model to those who are still lost."
We hear from Dudley, who told us about how his experience with us has helped him to grow and give back to society.
Dudley's story