From crisis and trauma to confidence and stability, she is now stepping forward into independence with hope and purpose.
Trigger warning: This case study discusses sensitive topics including substance use, trauma, self-harm and child loss.
“My life was perfect until I met the wrong guy. Then it went downhill fast.
He was drugging me and I didn’t even know.
I was on a lot of medication. I found out by going over [overdosing] and the paramedic told me. I felt my groin and I realised he was injecting me.
It turned me into a person that I thought I’d never ever be, because I was dead against heroin.
I lost my family; I lost my life. I tried committing suicide badly but I’m still here.
I went into a tent then for 9 months with him. Then I got pregnant, and I changed my life around.
I had the baby.
I was going to give it up for adoption to a lovely, loving family but I thought well it’s been 15 years since I had a baby last so surely, I could be that person for the baby.
He was born and I had him in the mother and baby placement with a camera on me 24/7. I changed my life.
Then a women came into my life three years down the line.
I put my baby at risk of significant harm by being around this person. And then they took him from me.”
[When asked how Adele found The Wallich, she said]
“My housing association person, the keyworker there put me in touch with them [the Cross Borders team] and I had an interview here and then took me in straight away.
I’ve been doing computer courses and I’ve graduated.
I’ve become a different person.
A better person.
The Support Workers are amazing; they’ll do anything for me.
They’ve made it an incredible journey, made it better life for me, they advised me, put me in the right direction and always encourage me to do well cause I’m a good person.
They understand me, they know where I’ve been, what type of journey I’ve been on and I’m better now.
Doing the Steps to Progress was good, I met new people.
They’re getting me to go to a garage soon so I can start working back as a mechanic.
I’ve done decorating, hairdressing, mechanic work.
I’m going to be moving out of here soon; I’m all packed up ready.”
“Upon arrival Adele had a lot of support needs.
Trust was built with Adele and she gradually disclosed more and with such honesty, especially around her substance use.
Over time, she began to accept support to maintain her Buvidol script and reducing the intake of substances.
Adele was referred to counselling to deal with the trauma she’d experienced. This was beneficial to her along with the Community Mental Health Outreach team.
Whilst at Cross Borders, Adele attended a Steps to Progress course, where she learned IT skills and more. She finished the course and attended a graduation and was given a laptop at the end of the course.
Her upward trajectory is ongoing.
She is being placed in our dispersed property, which means less support in terms of her being away from the core house as no staff are present.
More independence will enable Adele to manage and maintain a tenancy when out in the community.
Adele has an infectious personality and is a joy to support.”