Recovery Works: Just Ask Yvonne

• Recovery Works is a charity that aims to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the North of England, including those with several complex issues – including addiction, mental ill health, homelessness, and substance dependency.
• The programme supports over a thousand people to access assistance each year.
• Find out how it helped Yvonne. 

Recovery Works supports thousands of people each year in the North of England, helping them recover from substance dependency and take steps towards rebuilding their confidence, skills, and employment prospects.

Yvonne is one of those who has benefited from such support.

Yvonne’s Story

Yvonne was referred to Recovery Works for advice and guidance around training opportunities and employability upskilling.

Her story was a familiar one: “I was a long-term alcohol abuser and I and had a variety of challenges with my physical health.

“One of my main challenges was the loneliness and isolation I felt as a part of my homelife. I am a full-time career for my son, and I was under a lot of pressure.

“My other barriers were my depression, severe anxiety, and my ADHD.”

After being referred, Yvonne received ongoing support, focusing on personal development and employability, as well as assistance with making informed decisions around opportunities and empowerment.

The Recovery Works team provided one-to-one support aimed at removing barriers and improving Yvonne’s mental health. Their person-centred approach included regular discussions on a wide range of subjects, with a view to establishing and maintaining long-term patterns of recovery and abstinence.

As Yvonne, recalled, “I decided I needed to put things into place that would help me with my recovery.

“This is when I first began working with Recovery Works and heard about the range of support available to me. They helped me to access training opportunities as I continued my recovery journey.  

To be sure, the team and Yvonne discussed multiple options for returning to education, considering what would be required to secure a voluntary placement.

To this end, Yvonne completed several courses to expand her skillset.

“After completing some courses and gaining a qualification, I had gained some confidence,” she said.

“Before it was scary, and I didn’t have any self-belief. However, everybody was warm and friendly and reassured me that how I was feeling was quite normal and kind words put me at ease. After chatting to my adviser, I felt comfortable knowing I could go to him if I had any worries or was struggling with the work.”

Yvonne is now actively applying for volunteer roles. She credits her experience with Recovery Works as an important part of her newfound self-confidence: “If someone is unsure about joining a new course, I would tell them my story.

“The training is perfect for someone who needs flexibility and wants to gain a newfound confidence and independence. You don’t have to be perfect. It’s an opportunity to discover your true potential and open up a whole new world of learning.”

Recovery Works

Recovery works is a charity which helps improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society.

It facilitates positive change within local and wider communities by building on assets already present and add value through our specialist services, in partnership with a range of statutory and voluntary organisations across the North of England.

Visit the Recovery Works website to find out more: Recovery Works Homepage - Recovery Works.

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a mission to generate growth, create jobs, and improve lives. We provide employment services across Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire and Humber.

Get in touch today to find out more.