How It Started?

Facing addiction can be daunting for everyone concerned, but we know that recovery is possible and for those who find it, life becomes far better in every way.

StreetScene is a charity founded in 1989 by my father and I. We help people start this journey. To date we have supported over five thousand people on their different journeys and we continue to develop and deliver the best programmes for abstinent based recovery.

My own struggle with addiction and firsthand experience of the recovery process highlighted the importance of having support and knowledge from those who understand what addiction means. For this reason all StreetScene staff have achieved the relevant qualifications to work in their specific role and care deeply about each client’s journey.

Many of our staff members are in recovery themselves and have been for decades and are therefore uniquely qualified to support our clients. The amazing feedback we receive reflects the high level of care and dedication of our staff and the success rate we have had over the past 35 years is second to none.

I can still remember exactly how it was for me at the end of my addiction. I truly believed that if I gave it just one more try to do it my way I would succeed. How wrong I was.What I didn’t realise was that I just needed help, and I needed the right help. Once I let myself accept that help, my world became a different place – a world full of hope, opportunities and a bright future.

Everyone has their own dreams for the future, dreams that dependency seems to put out of reach. One of mine was to see the Great Pyramid at Giza. Since coming into recovery I have been there several times, sat on the lowest stones,felt the desert sun on my face and being amazed at the power and wonder of the place. All possible because I took that first scary step and entered the recovery process.

I have seen thousands of people get their lives back, just like I did, and have gone on to do amazing things. They have been restored to their families, started new families, built a circle of friends, started businesses, travelled all over the world, created beautiful homes, lived on houseboats, gone to university, played in bands, each of them finding personal contentment following their own dreams.

When you engage fully it becomes a once in a lifetime opportunity to stop and think about yourself, your life, breaking free of your dependency, learning new skills, dropping old negative messages and setting some personal life goals.

One thing that is certain in treatment you will experience some tough days, but it is worth it. How about finding new friendships and laughing like you used to? It changed my life, and it can change yours too.

Tessa Corner BSc, MPhil, Honorary Fellow (BU).