I’ve been working for Project 6 for a while now. The people I support come from many different backgrounds and walks of life, with a wide range of experiences. When people first come to Project 6, they’re usually fairly nervous about what to expect. Things usually aren’t going great for them at that moment and those first conversations can be tough ones particularly around drugs or alcohol.  

People can worry that it’s going to be a telling off, that I will be judgmental about their behaviours and tell them what they should be doing, but that’s not the case.

I work with people in a number of ways. Usually a person’s support begins with a 1 to 1 appointment which involves a conversation about where their drug and alcohol use is and what else is going on for them that might be impacting on this. Everything I’m told stays between Project 6 and the person I’m working with (unless there is a genuine concern for them or someone else’s safety). People can worry that it’s going to be a telling off, that I will be judgmental about their behaviours and tell them what they should be doing, but that’s not the case. At Project 6 we take a person-centred approach which means we listen to what the individual wants to achieve, what their motivation is and how we can support that. We don’t tell people what’s right for them, we work alongside to help people make real and sustainable change.

Change isn’t something that happens straight away but one of the parts of my job I enjoy the most is seeing people make positive changes, no matter how big or small.

I help people identify their own goals (not tell them!) and look at tools and techniques to help overcome or manage some of the barriers that may get in the way. Sometimes I help people access additional help like mental health support or assistance with housing, welfare, food or domestic abuse. Quite often people get involved with groups and activities we run. We have a range of services at Project 6 and people can find it really helpful to speak to other people who have faced similar experiences to themselves. Change isn’t something that happens straight away but one of the parts of my job I enjoy the most is seeing people make positive changes, no matter how big or small.