Hiya, My name is Gail and I am a recovering alcoholic from the west end of Glasgow
I had a good upbringing and a good family home but I never felt comfortable in my own skin. I used to drink and take drugs to take me away from my own head. I believe I suffered mental health long before my addiction took hold. I have three beautiful children who have been with me through everything.
I lost my brother to cancer when he was 22 and I couldn’t cope with the grief and I started drinking alone. It was causing problems when I was drunk. I was always the one to start fights at parties and in the end I stopped getting invited.
After my relationship broke down, due to my drinking, things got worse. I was partying more and I would take anything offered just so I didn’t have to feel the hurt and face the reality that my life was spiralling out of control.
Then my best friend passed away and I knew I had to change, but then I couldn’t stop. I was in and out of hospital. I was self-harming and my mental health was at breaking point.
My mum and dad tried everything to keep me sober, and I kept going back to the drink until one day my care manager came and removed my kids into care. She took them to my mum’s and I knew I had hit rock bottom.
So I’d spent 10 weeks begging for help until a bed became available at Rainbow House. I was so scared but looking back it was the best decision I ever made.
I learnt about my addiction and what I suffered from and I was supported by the best team of staff and volunteers so that when I completed the programme at Rainbow I knew I just wanted to get back.
The volunteers helped others and I wanted to be in the same position. It was then I went to Whiteinch Move On where I continued to get support for my anxiety and my housing.
The boys started staying overnight and when I got offered a flat near both services, it was the start of my volunteer journey.
I love volunteering at Rainbow and I gives me the structure to my days. I’ve learnt so much since I started there.
I found out that I’m good at organising, office admin, as well as peer support groups and now I help with the new volunteer training programme.
My kids are now back in my full time care. We have a lovely home and I love getting up in the morning and going to Rainbow.
I have been volunteering for about 15 months, and I will be 2 years abstinent in May.
"Gail is one of the many women who came through our services in 2020/21. Our services strive to make recovery accessible for women as we see so many barriers to them being able to choose residential services. Barriers could be caring for their children, family caring commitments or lack of self worth .
Our female volunteers are an asset to our Glasgow Recovery Services. They help us show services are safe places. They are positive role models that women being supported can relate to. It's a privilege for us to work alongside volunteers and see them develop. We have seen Gail take the opportunity to do our training course and gain experience in a social care setting. She is now co facilitating the Volunteer Training while continuing to be a a dedicated volunteer with us."
It costs over £101 to support one person, per day at our Whiteinch Move on service alone, providing professional care and accommodation;
Please consider giving what you are able to help us save even more lives in Scotland. You could be a lifeline to someone like Gail.
