“I began to see my own potential. I realised it was up to me to make different decisions and take different actions. But I also needed support to do that. I can’t believe the chaos that consumed my life is now gone.”
“I’d lost everything I had worked so hard to have in my life in a few short months because of my behaviour and bad choices.”
Shaun suffered from PTSD. His condition was triggered by tragic life events before his time in the military and exacerbated during deployment to Iraq. Eventually the trauma, nightmares and mental scarring “broke” him. Shaun turned to alcohol to numb the anguish and pain he was suffering.
Shaun was referred to our Positive Futures programme – specifically for veterans struggling with the transition to civilian life.
For Shaun, the programme was the catalyst for him to fight back from the brink and regain control of his life.
“It was amazing to be part of something again. At this stage I literally couldn’t feed my cat.”
Through sustained support development and learning Shaun worked to stabilise the chaos in his life and set clear and measurable goals to work towards.
An integral part of all of the programmes at Venture Trust is a wilderness journey into the Scottish wilderness.
This setting – far removed from participants’ everyday environments – gives people the chance to tackle physical, emotional and social challenges. These challenges are carefully designed to encourage learning and development, to help participants increase their aspirations, confidence and motivation, and to develop a range of skills for life, learning and work.
Shaun says the space and time away allowed him to focus on what he wanted from life and taking part in intensive personal development began to rediscover strengths he had forgotten and discover new skills he didn’t think he had.
On the shore of the Forth of Firth, the breeze creates small whitecaps and the gulls caw as they glide across the horizon. It’s a peaceful and calm scene.
“I can’t believe the chaos that consumed my life is now gone,” Shaun reflects.
“Through a combination of the skills and development I received, by taking a more active role in UK SMART Recovery and Forth Valley Recovery Community along with working with a mental health professional I have been able to make changes to my life.
“I began to see my own potential. I realised it was up to me to make different decisions and take different actions. But I also needed support to do that. I can’t believe the chaos that consumed my life is now gone.”
Shaun is now working as a SMART Recovery co-ordinator helping others who are in the same situation he was once in.
“I’m living my life in the moment now and it’s brilliant.”
