“I am seeing the world through different eyes. I feel free.”

The Pathways Program

My story begins with a difficult childhood. My parents divorced when I was five and my mum was left to look after five children. Then came the step-dad who was a violent alcoholic and terrorised us all for many years.

As I grew older, I continued to suppress my inner thoughts and emotions to pretend I was someone I wasn’t. I began to drink alcohol excessively to feel something other than fear, anxiety and stress.

At this time, I looked successful to everyone else – I had a wife, child, house and a great job. But I was a mess inside. When it all got too much, I threw in the towel. I took up drugs in addition to alcohol and eventually ended up in prison convicted of armed robbery in 2011.

My first experience with Holyoake was in 2012 when I was offered a place in a prison program called Pathways.

I put everything I had into it because what they presented made sense. I began to realise the effects of my childhood trauma for the first time.

My counsellor allowed me to see the real me, a person with thoughts and feelings of my own.

I now have hope and a true sense of direction. After my release from prison, I was encouraged to continue my counselling at Holyoake, which has really helped.

My experience with Holyoake has been life-saving and life-changing. I now believe that I am a man who is seeing the world through different eyes. I feel free.