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20 | drinkanddrugsnews | March 2013
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I embraced my role at The Quays project, putting my heart and soul into it. It
was a big part of my recovery and I loved working with people there. Yes I have
narcolepsy, carpal tunnel, dyspraxia and dyslexia, but with sheer determination
and support from uni and friends, online support groups and networks, I had
grown my confidence again.
Only a tiny proportion of qualified teachers in the UK have convictions and a
medical history like mine, but for me this is an amazing representation of what
we can achieve. You just have to show the world your strengths and the rest will
follow. I urge anybody that thinks they can’t make a certain career choice to go
for it – prove that you can.
Out of this came something fantastic. Myself and my friend Katie who was
also working as a coach decided to join ranks and create a new project that was
all about being inclusive – no labels required, just people. So we set up a not-
for-profit company, specialising in recovery coaching and bespoke training.
We identified the need and are now starting to fulfil the needs of our
recovery community – and the feedback has been fantastic. I now help people
discover what recovery means for them individually. I looked at different models
and programmes across the UK and globally. Connecticut Community for
Addiction Recovery (CCAR) is highly effective recovery programme, which is very
much all-inclusive, so I contacted Phil Valentine and asked how I could replicate
what they did. I also explained my passion for coaching, and shared a little bit
about my journey.
I’ve now decided to go Connecticut to gain new knowledge and inspiration for
my coaching – it’s the most fantastic opportunity for me to learn from the US.
I’m so excited and colleagues across the UK have shared my enthusiasm.
I’m raising funds for the trip and am planning to climb Snowdon. I attempted
this two years ago, but went up in typical Marie fashion in high heels. This time
I have a pair of walking boots, so if anyone would like to sponsor me, it would
be fantastic.
I’m also planning an awareness event to inspire hope in people who feel
stuck because of convictions, addictions, mental health, social exclusion, or low
literacy and numeracy. Really and truly, you have to know it doesn’t matter.
First person |
Marie’s story
‘We identified the need and are now starting
to fulfil the needs of our recovery
community – and the feedback has been
fantastic. I now help people discover what
recovery means for them individually.’
In the final part of her story, Marie takes hold of her future
I got another voluntary position as a resident advocate.
I loved my work there,
adapting my skills as mentor, trainer and coach. I designed and delivered
bespoke training courses and workshops around the needs of learners and
these all proved very successful.
The local service user group SURF then took me on another journey through
a new service-user led project, The Quays. I was there right from day one, at the
planning and implementing stage. As people came and went, the direction of the
project changed and it took on a life of its own. It was exciting and a fresh
outlook on recovery.
In September 2011 I started a certificate of education (cert ed). I thought at
this point that I knew what it meant to teach, after completing PTLLS level 4, but
it was evident within the first few weeks that there was so much I needed to
learn. I had by this time left my voluntary advocate job to concentrate on my role
at The Quays and did voluntary work for Community Service Volunteers (CSV).
It was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, as I got to know who I was.
Recognising that I needed time to heal myself, I took a step back and after a
short break over Christmas I was back on track, with a new lease of life. As I
had been busy researching, befriending and designing a course around it, I was
asked to manage a befriending project.
At this point I had another educational psychology report done and the
psychologist said to me, ‘I think you have to accept that you have reached your
ceiling. Your dyspraxia is very severe and chances are you won’t make it as
teacher.’ I was upset and hurt, until my learner support lecturer reassured me
that I was going to be fantastic teacher, and reminded me of my achievements.
I realised then that only I have the right to decide my limitations, unless I am
compromising anybody else.
Being a very positive person and used to flipping my weaknesses into
positives – because I know what it is like to miss out on opportunities through
poorly trained teachers – I am creative and adaptive. I make it my responsibility
to know my learners and their needs, constantly assessing and evaluating ways
in which I can develop my teaching and coaching practice along the lines of ‘tell
me and I'll forget, show me and I'll remember, involve me and I'll understand.’
My journey of self-discovery