Our Stories
From the beginning, storytelling has been at the heart of our work. We tell the real stories of real people, unapologetically and unashamedly. These narratives break down barriers, reduce stigma, and inspire understanding. Storytelling isn't just part of our history; it's a way to give hope.
How we share your story
Stories
Michelle's advice is never give up on yourself
Michelle Dickson has lived in Dumfries all her life. These days, she's a recovery worker at WithYou, but her own…
Meet Roberta: from client to service manager
Roberta McClung spent more than 20 years struggling with substance use before she found her way into recovery. Now she…
Seeing the whole person: How one worker’s autism diagnosis is reshaping drug and alcohol support in Wigan and Leigh
Carl has lived through challenges with drugs and alcohol, homelessness, and the hidden challenge of undiagnosed autism - and come…
“They deserve to live as much as the next person”: The recovery worker who saves lives with naloxone
Rick Hopper, 52, a Criminal Justice Recovery Worker for WithYou in North Lincolnshire, tells how he saved a life with…
Gregor found recovery, now he trains the teams who support it
Gregor Johnstone will be the first to tell you his career didn't start with much of a plan. "I couldn't…
From IT to supporting others: How Ken found a new purpose at 63
Ken’s story is proof that it’s never too late to find a new path. Especially when that path leads to…
Meet Toni: “I know what it feels like to sit in that chair”
Toni Glancy grew up in a small village in the west of Scotland. She did well at school, went on…
“I feel whole. I feel like myself again” - Joey’s* story from daily ketamine use to recovery
* Joey’s name has been changed to protect his privacy Like a lot of teenagers, Joey experimented with drugs growing…
The diversion is the intervention: what we learned from running the UK's first randomised controlled trial of a young person’s drug diversion programme
After three years, four police force areas and 364 young people, the results from Re-Frame are in, and they aren't…
Rebuilding from the ground up: How Jamie is using his past to support others
Jamie has lived through trauma, drug dependency and the criminal justice system - and come out the other side determined…
How WithYou Supports the Armed Forces Community in North Somerset: Meet Barry
Ahead of Armed Forces Day this Saturday, Barry Pratt, armed forces lead and recovery worker for WithYou in North Somerset…
"Every veteran comes with their own unique story": How Nicola is supporting the armed forces community
For more than 13 years, Nicola Wilding has supported people with drug and alcohol challenges, but it was her work…
Meeting the needs of the Armed Forces Community: Inside WithYou's Armed Forces Programme
WithYou delivers the UK’s only dedicated drug and alcohol support programme designed specifically for the armed forces community including veterans,…
From the Royal Navy to self-discovery: how Arron found recovery and a new sense of purpose
34 year old Arron Henery from Middlesborough spent eight years serving in the Royal Navy as a Weapons Engineer working…
Meeting people where they are: Kev’s story
Kev Hobin’s guiding philosophy, having worked in the drug and alcohol support sector for 26 years, is that if someone…
Find out more about our original story, Mollie's initial plea — a powerful lived experience that sparked a movement.