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
Linda found recovery here, now she helps others find it too.
Linda Percy sits in the same WithYou office in Ayr where she once came as a client. Back then, in…
Julian’s story: "If I hadn't been supported by WithYou, I could quite easily be dead."
After several years of turmoil, WithYou client Julian has started keeping a routine again. He gets up at the same…
For Lynette, being a recovery worker isn't a job, it's a privilege
Ask Lynette Little what she enjoys most about her job and she doesn't hesitate. I love working with the people…
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…
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…
Meet Marcia: the steady hand behind the scenes in Dundee
Marcia Mackie will tell you she's "just admin." Her manager, Bobbie Lawson, would strongly disagree. As Service Administrator at WithYou's…
Meet James: walking with people through the hardest times
James Simons has been part of WithYou for more than 10 years. He came in as a volunteer, became a…
Meet Shaun: the recovery worker helping build Scotland’s biggest alcohol-free music festival
Think about the last live music event you went to. Chances are, a drink was part of it — at…
'My past experience is my asset': Alex on recovery, traineeship, and what comes next
For most of his adult life, Alex Foy moved between three places: prison, hospital, and the streets of Glasgow. His…
Meet James, the recovery worker taking a leap he never thought possible
James Nichol doesn't shy away from the hard parts of his story. As a community engagement coordinator and recovery worker…
Meet Bobbie: building something better in Dundee
Bobbie Lawson didn't set out to become a service manager. When the role came up at WithYou in Dundee, she…
A year on, Paul proves recovery is possible — and now he's helping others find it
Paul Fearnley spent 23 years in the British Armed Forces. He served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, Kosovo, Sierra Leone…
Meet Ronnie: from recovery to running marathons — and a team
Ronnie Hart doesn't catastrophise. Whatever his team bring to him, he tells them the same thing. There's always a solution.…
Meet Ellis: The first person people connect with
Ellis Chestnut is often the first person someone speaks to when they're ready to ask for help. As an access…
Find out more about our original story, Mollie's initial plea — a powerful lived experience that sparked a movement.