“I’ve been through a hard time coming out of addiction and lockdown was a challenge as well in rehab. It was good to have that contact with the outside. It was a challenge cos all my family was isolating so I couldn’t see anybody and having that Elevate contact was good, just to offload about stuff. It really helped me. Now, I see my (RES) worker here probably once a week. Sometimes it’s not about what’s next it’s how I’m feeling and speaking about any problems. It’s like a wee bit of counselling really”.

“I like the atmosphere, everybody seems to get on really well.” As well as enjoying the social side of volunteering, Tony credits the experience with improving his self-esteem and changing his outlook on life: “When I was in homeless accommodation, Move On was the place that got me mixing with people and that gave me confidence.”

I truly feel valued, encouraged, and supported to become the best version of myself that I can be, even when I cannot fully envision quite yet what that may look like. From the person who walked into that hall on that summer afternoon in 2017; afraid, confused, skinny (I’m certainly a few pounds heavier these days) and dejected, to where I am today; an individual who believes in himself , who is able to take risks and walk into a room with his head held high (and even make eye contact with people), I say: thank you team Elevate; I really could not have done it without you.