After over 20 years of hostels, detoxs and mental institutions, last week, Colin moved out of Acorn House, our residential recovery accommodation and into one of our more independent supported houses for people in the later stages of recovery from their addictions.

This is his story in his own words: 

“I was born in Greater Manchester and grew up on a council estate. I had a clean home, toys and nice meals as a kid. But I was bullied a lot.I was very effeminate and was labelled ‘queer’, before I knew what the word meant. When I was nine years old, the sexual abuse started. My abusers made me feel special. They gave me gifts, moneys, cigarettes and sweets. When I was 13, I ran away from home and soon found myself in the murky world of prostitution on the streets.

The alcohol gave me confidence and I chased that buzz. Then came along solvent abuse, recreational drugs – then harder drugs. My life was well out of control. 

“I would spend the next 23 years in and out of hostels, detox’s, and mental institutions. I had eight attempts at rehab and was homeless.”

In 2014, I moved off the streets and gave sobriety another go. Acorn House took me in and has offered me the opportunity to get my life back on track by addressing the reasons why I took drugs and what held me back. They really care.

Life is worth living now. I attend woodwork and art classes at the New Hanbury Project and I’m also volunteering at Paper & Cup, SCT’s social enterprise café.

I’m looking forward to my future. I know I will always have the support from SCT with anything that will do me in good in the future.

“I’m looking forward to my future. I know I will always have the support from SCT with anything that will do me in good in the future.”

I will hopefully be starting college soon to study Health and Social Care because I want to become a Project Worker and help others on the road to recovery.

All the staff at SCT have a dedication and are committed to their jobs with love and affection.

It’s more than just an organisation. It’s a community. A family.”

Please help us to help more people like Colin by donating online 

Find out more about the ‪#‎charityshopstrut‬ on our facebook events page.

Thanks to Tony Payne for the photograph.