18 February 2026
Caroline Durnan knows exactly why she does this work.
She lost two uncles to drug and alcohol-related issues within months of each other. The experience changed the direction of her life.
"I wanted to know what could be done to support other people, to prevent that from happening to them," she says.
That determination led Caroline on a winding path from beauty therapy to hospital work, through college and prison services, and eventually to WithYou's Glasgow North West Recovery Hub, where she's worked as a recovery worker since June 2025.
Her journey into this sector wasn't direct. People had always told her she was easy to talk to, approachable. She'd wanted to help in a different way. So she took on a support worker role at Glasgow Royal Infirmary while continuing her other work.
But it wasn't enough.
Caroline put herself through college full-time while juggling three jobs, paying for her HNC in social care services herself. During her studies, she gained experience at another organisation in the sector, then moved on to coordinate services at Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow.
"I used to help organisations come into the prison and inform the residents what services were available for when they got liberated and while they were inside," she explains.
She also developed and facilitated groups twice weekly, working with around 80 men across the week on recovery-related topics like relapse prevention, harm reduction, accountability and self-confidence.
"It was an amazing experience," she says.
But it was WithYou that caught her attention.
"I had partnership worked with WithYou, and when a role came up there, I thought, that's the job for me. It was the morals, the values, the principles they stand for. The reach they have. They never say no to a referral or a client."
Eight months into her role, Caroline is clear about what keeps her coming back.
"I never feel like I'm on a caseload myself, because I have the support of others. Should I ever feel overwhelmed or need that extra support or some guidance, there's always someone there with a bit of advice."
The training at WithYou impressed her immediately.
“It’s second to none. There are always ongoing options for upskilling. There's support on the website, and lots of webinars. I always want to make sure I'm the best recovery worker I can be.”
Caroline works with people from all walks of life. Different jobs, different backgrounds, from deprived areas and more affluent parts of Glasgow. It's the universality of drug and alcohol challenges that still strikes her.
"It doesn't discriminate,” she says. “We work with any gender, any race, any religion, people from all walks of life. That didn't really surprise me, but it did surprise me that they all had one thing in common, and that was just to get well and be supported."
Her approach to recovery work is rooted in listening and empathy.
"I think listening, having empathy and not judging people is key to this role. Everybody's been through difficult times in their life, and it could easily happen to me, you, or anybody. So it's just having that ear for somebody and letting them know they're not on their own."
She's also clear that recovery isn't a straight line.
"It's not a linear journey by any means. Being able to say it's okay to go this way, that way, and back the way. Recovery is different for everybody, and what that looks like, they'll figure it out with support along the way."
Caroline's proudest moments come when she sees the impact of that support.
One client, who had been in a really difficult place, recently told her something that's stayed with her.
"They said it's the happiest they've been in quite a few years. That's what we want for people, to be happy and have a life worth living. Being able to make a positive difference in someone else's life and just let them know they're not on their own. They don't have to fight this journey on their own."
If you or someone you know needs support with drugs or alcohol, Caroline and the team are here to help. Find out more about our free, confidential support for anyone aged 16 or over in the north west of Glasgow at www.wearewithyou.org.uk/local-hubs/north-west-glasgow