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…
"I cannot believe my luck": Ingrid on coming full circle at Shropshire Recovery Partnership
Ten years ago, on her 49th birthday, Ingrid walked through the door of Shropshire Recovery Partnership (SRP) for the first…
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…
“WithYou saved my life. Now I want to help someone else”
From drinking vodka in the woods as a child to volunteering with WithYou, George Dewar, 30, and from Guisborough shares…
Meet Lisa Wakely: The author and music artist raising awareness and money for WithYou
Lisa Wakely has been writing since she was 12 years old. A lifelong storyteller, she has always been drawn to…
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…
“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…
“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…
Find out more about our original story, Mollie's initial plea — a powerful lived experience that sparked a movement.