I worked in high-salary roles and even ran my own recruitment business with five employees. I was married and living in a nice house with our two young children. But behind the façade, work was stressful, and my marriage was deteriorating.
Falling Apart
During the day, I worked in recruitment. I would go into companies to create new business, recruiting high-profile roles. When COVID hit, those high-salary roles were cut. On the same day my company went bankrupt my wife and children moved out of our family home. My children were only four and nine at the time.
After the divorce, I probably worked six different recruitment jobs in four years, all in different locations. It just wasn’t sustainable. I fell behind on rent, bills piled up, and the bailiffs’ letters kept coming. Eventually, I moved out of the family home and rented a house a short walk from my kids.
It was the first time I’d lived alone in years, and the drinking spiralled. I had nothing else to do in the evenings. It was a slow deterioration, as I started having a beer first thing in the morning too, scrolling at the computer, desperately applying for jobs.
When the bailiffs took the car, life became almost impossible. I couldn’t see my kids, or get to work, I felt like I couldn’t do anything. Then the Wi-Fi went, then the phone – I couldn’t call anyone or apply for jobs, and I knew the house was next.
The council told me about Emmaus at the last minute — literally three days before the bailiffs were going to kick me out. I called Emmaus, and Karen drove to my house to pick me up the very next day.
Finding a Lifeline
When I arrived at Emmaus Hampshire I was broken. My depression was massive. I dropped to about six stone; I was basically close to death. I had arrived in a completely different world where I didn’t know anyone; it was a real adjustment. I wasn’t living for myself at all — I was just surviving, purely waiting to see my kids, and nothing else mattered.
After living here for about eight months, I collapsed and was taken to hospital. The doctor told me I should be dead. My blood sugar levels had gone up to 40, when they should have been around the 6 or 7 mark. It was then that I found out I had diabetes, which I now know I’d had for years. Before this, whenever I felt anxious in the morning, I thought I needed alcohol — now I know I just need sugar. Learning that shifted everything about how I understand my body and my triggers.
I originally thought I’d probably stay for about three months, but I didn’t realise just how broken I was. I’ve rebuilt relationships with those that matter, and I can finally see that I’m in a fortunate place. Without Emmaus, I know I wouldn’t be here. I have nothing but good things to say about this place.
Rebuilding and Moving Forward
I’ve been here two years now and spend five days a week in the transport office which I really enjoy. I love learning, so the role works for me, and I enjoy training others. I also spend time meditating, walking, and taking care of myself — things I never did before. I no longer need alcohol to cope.
Emmaus is a very good place to be if you want to rebuild and get your life back on track, but you’ve got to want it. I am in the best place, both mentally and physically, that I’ve been in for so long.