John Walsh's personal story

Photo of John WalshMy name is John Walsh and I am 38 years old. I currently work for Rethink in the capacity of Community Mental Health Worker at Central Point, the direct access day centre for the homeless in Portsmouth. I have worked at Central Point for 18 months, firstly for five months as a volunteer which I found greatly rewarding. I would recommend this experience to anyone thinking about the social care field as employment.

Now let me take you back to 2003. My life then was unmanageable. I had been drinking alcohol for a number of years by then. My life was in a complete mess. Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, I was bankrupt. My relationship with my long term partner and two daughters had deteriorated to the point where I was sleeping rough on friends' sofas whenever I could. Sometimes I would sleep in bin sheds because I had too much pride to ask for help.

Then, one day, after staying with friends for the last time, I accessed Central Point. I had heard of this homeless day centre but had never managed to go there before: a mixture of fear, pride, ego and mental health problems (depression) inhibited my accessing the centre. I stood in the middle of the road with the price of a bottle of cider, shaking through fear and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. I decided I had a choice; ask for help or go and have another drink.

I made the correct decision

Luckily I chose to ask for help. The staff at Central Point were very welcoming, sympathetic and encouraging. Within a short period of time I had been helped to get a tenancy on a small bed-sit. A kind member of staff also suggested that my alcohol problem should be addressed. I agreed, and started out on the road to sobriety.

Things began happening very quickly for me. I was offered a place on a detox programme within a local psychiatric hospital which I accepted as if it were a winning lottery ticket. I completed the six-week programme where I learnt a lot about myself and a lot about my alcoholism. After 20 years of drinking, I needed some educating.

After my six-week spell in rehab, I began to re-establish links with my family which was incredible. The joy my two daughters brought me in those early days of recovery is indescribable. My partner was also very trusting and supportive and we took our first tentative steps together as a family again.

Life is fantastic

ShootToday, life is fantastic. I am now nearly three years into my recovery from alcoholism. I enjoy a fantastic job and have met many interesting people. Life has taken on a new meaning.

After being sober for 18 months, I decided to offer my services to Central Point as a volunteer. I was accepted and for five months enjoyed challenging yet rewarding times. I was passionate about the work that went on in Rethink as an organisation and in Central Point in particular. A job opportunity was advertised in April 2005 and I successfully applied for it.

Rethink trusted in me, empowered me, invested in me, retrained me, and accepted me for the flawed individual I am. In return they have my passion for working in their organisation and my grattitude for affording me this opportunity to put something back into life, which once I only took from.

More information on Central Point

Central Point leaflet cover