29 July 2025
DF is a 63-year-old volunteer at ROADS.
He spent over 20 years facing challenges with alcohol and drug use, but with the right support, he turned his life around - and now he’s helping others do the same. A former steelworks manager, DF went back into education during recovery, gaining new qualifications and confidence. These days, he brings real-life experience, empathy, and energy to everything he does at ROADS.
I misused alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy for 20 years. Then I decided enough was enough and engaged with ROADS, who worked with me to get me a place in residential detox at New Beginnings Doncaster. This was the start of my sustained recovery, which continued through group attendance and into volunteering.
DF began volunteering after being drug and alcohol-free for over three years. Now five years drug and alcohol-free, he’s completed extensive training at ROADS and plays an active role in service delivery: group facilitation, harm reduction, one-to-one support, and community outreach.
I have supported clients with rehab applications and with rehab preparation. I joined the Recovery Worker in presenting to the rehab funding panel. Two clients I have supported have even been accepted into rehab, which is very rewarding for me to feel like I have made a difference.
A major part of DF’s role is to build links and encourage clients to attend the ROADS group programme and the Rotherham Recovery Community provisions. He can also make referrals to partner agencies such as IPS, Food Parcels, and the Learning Community and internal referrals to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners and the Dual Diagnosis Nurse.
I encourage clients to attend group programmes, and I have even helped to set up a walking group, which has been successful and enjoyed by the clients attending. I supported the setting up of the Snooker4All and RUCT Groups and encouraged attendance from clients. These have been very successful and well attended. I have been requested to do radio and TV interviews about my recovery journey, and my daughter is really proud of me for my achievements.
I have learnt to build trust with clients through group and face-to-face engagement, the setting of personal and group boundaries and supporting clients to find a better lifestyle. Volunteering has helped me learn more about substance misuse, professional boundaries and active listening skills that I can use in everyday life.
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