Footprints supports people returning from prison to our community, helping them to begin a life free from crime. We recently received a letter from Jacob*, a 25-year-old man we support who has now remained out of prison for 3 months and is still clean of drug use. He wrote:
"I have done lots of short sentences and have stop/started drugs for years but this is the longest time I have been clean since I was 16. It's a big achievement. I am hoping to do a plumbing course in July. At present, I am redoing GCSE Maths and English to get some decent grades.
I go to Church 4 times a week, including bible study, which I love, and that really helps me. It works better for me than endless meetings, which I have done in the past. There are good people around me which has helped me a lot rather than just being around similar sorts of ex-users.
I have nothing but good to say about my mentor- he is always there at the end of the phone and has helped me a hell of a lot. I find him really helpful- I try to be as honest as I can with him and not to trick myself, as I am scared of using again. I find it helpful that he is also in recovery.
I now see my kid every 2 weeks, which is great.
I struggle financially but Footprints has helped with the odd thing and also enabled me to get food parcels etc. Whilst in my present accommodation, I am not allowed to work, but from this week I move on to second stage, and I can then have some more leeway and get more things in place to help, but my structure through the week has been good for now. Footprints has also helped me to organise a birth certificate so that I can get a bank account.
I don't like asking for help, but what has been done for me by my mentor is great- sometimes I feel I have been nagged/challenged, which often brings out good things, but it doesn't feel like it at the time.
My next aim is to pass my driving test, train as a plumber if I can get on the course and then my family will employ me in their bathroom business."
We're proud of Jacob and wish him the best as he continues to build a life for himself.
*Names have been changed
*Photo by Durle Door, released to Public Domain on https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=367997&picture=durdle-door
