I grew up not far from the Emmaus South Wales community in Bridgend where I now live. Drugs were around me from an early age both at home, as well as in the local area.
By my early 20’s I had started smoking weed and drinking heavily, it wasn’t long before I was taking ecstasy and amphetamines. I worked various jobs in factories but the job I managed to hold down for 10 years was working at Tesco. On days off I could easily sleep most of the day before waking up, drinking 6 cans of Stella, a bottle of wine and taking amphetamines. I would often turn up for work under the influence, which I’m not proud of, as I enjoyed the job, and built-up good relationships with customers.
In 2007 I moved back home with my mother who has dementia. I was taking care of her but as her health deteriorated it soon became clear I could no longer look after her if I was on the drugs, so my mother went to live with my sister. The house, where her and I had been living, was sold. People around me would say ‘Jimmy what are you going to do? Where are you going to live?’’ but as my mind was so clouded with drugs, I just kept thinking ‘something will work it’s self out’.
I began sofa surfing with friends and a short time later the council provided me with emergency accommodation at a local hotel. However, I was soon evicted once they found out I was on was on drugs. At this point I knew something had to change.
A new start at Emmaus
My social worker had mentioned Emmaus but I knew I had to be off the drugs in order to live here so I made a decision to quit. I’m very pleased to say that after 31 years on drugs I have been clean since December 22nd 2023. I am a devout catholic and my faith has certainly helped me stay focused on each milestone I make, I am five months clean, next month it will be six months.
I moved into the Emmaus community at Easter 2024, and it’s been fantastic, this year really has been amazing for me. I am surrounded by positivity and focusing on getting myself stronger.
Each morning I start the day with prayers, then shower, get dressed, and make sure my room is nice and tidy and the bed is made. I eat breakfast and will sometimes visit family before I start work in one of the Emmaus charity shops, serving customers and stocking the shelves. I have been really enjoying upcycling donated mirrors with records to sell in the shops. I always go to church on a Sunday and most evenings are spent in the community with my fellow companions, cooking, eating, watching TV, and often discussing how we can upcycle donations that have just arrived off the van.
New opportunities
Emmaus have also arranged for me to study for my math’s GCSE. Every Tuesday evening a tutor visits the community where a few of us are studying math’s. I could never have even thought about doing something like this before moving to Emmaus, it’s brilliant, and will give me more opportunities in the future if I can pass a GCSE in math’s.
I’ve have really settled into life at the community. The support staff have been wonderful and I’m able to release emotions that have been trapped inside for years. Being around positive people and staying away from drugs is my priority right now, I intend to build bridges, whereas in the past, I often burnt bridges.