My name’s Carl and I’m originally from Hull. I’ve been suffering with alcohol for much of my adult life and went into rehab in 2023. I lasted a year and bit before a relapse caused me to take a downward turn. I managed to get into Emmaus in June 2024 and I haven’t touched alcohol since. Being part of this community has helped me a lot.
I was nervous when I first moved to Emmaus Hull & East Riding – like anyone would be, moving into somewhere where you don’t know anyone. From the start though I got on with everyone, I’ve had no trouble, and it’s helped me a lot. I dread to think where I’d be today if I didn’t go to Emmaus. I’d probably still be drinking in a gutter somewhere.
Day to day I come to the Emmaus Newland charity shop and I’m down here all the time. I keep busy serving customers, restocking and sorting donations. I’m here every day and we get a few regulars coming in, so we get to know them. It’s good coming down here as I get to meet different people, it gets me out from the house and it’s a nice change of scenery.
A home and a fresh start
I’m really enjoying being part of the Emmaus Hull & East Riding community. It’s helping me a lot and keeping me off the drink and that’s the main reason I went into Emmaus – to get off the drink and to keep myself busy. When I lived by myself and got bored, that’s when I turned to drink. I can’t just have a couple; it ends up going back to square one and I end up in a dark place – it’s not good for me. From my experience, if you are struggling with alcohol, reach out, tell someone and if that person can find you some support, take it.
I’m just about to start volunteering at ReNew – a drug and alcohol service. I got transferred there when I moved to Emmaus. I’ve been going there once a week and have just been taken off aftercare, but I want to go back and volunteer. I want to share my story and if I can help one person, that’s a bonus for me. I’m keen to help others whilst gaining experience of support work as I don’t want to go back into factories.
All I can say to Emmaus supporters is thank you from the bottom of my heart – if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here today. If we didn’t have the donations coming in and people shopping with us to bring the money in and fund the house, we wouldn’t have a home and all the support we get. All I can say is thank you.