Ryan found his life derailed after a drunken night out ended in a serious altercation that landed him in prison. Behind his actions was a history of alcohol and substance abuse, stemming from a difficult childhood marked by instability and absent parents. After his release, Ryan struggled to break free from the patterns that had led to his incarceration. His support worker, recognizing the deep-rooted issues Ryan faced, referred him to our Life-Changer Mentoring Programme, hoping it could provide the guidance he desperately needed.

Ryan was paired with a mentor experienced in addiction recovery and working with individuals from challenging backgrounds. At first, Ryan was defensive and unsure if the programme could help him. However, our consistent and empathetic approach began to get through to him and soon we were able to help Ryan explore the underlying causes of his behaviours, addressing the trauma and neglect that had shaped his life.

Together, Ryan and his mentor worked on strategies to manage Ryan’s alcohol use and reduce his reliance on substances. With our encouragement, Ryan joined a local support group and began attending counseling sessions. Over time, Ryan gained clarity and developed healthier coping mechanisms.

Ryan remains sober, is employed part-time, and is rebuilding his confidence. Our mentoring programme gave him the tools to rewrite his story and look toward a brighter future.

Well done, Ryan!