Support for people in drug and alcohol recovery

Support for people in drug and alcohol recovery

Aspire's Get Connected project is for anyone in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction who wants to move towards employment, education, training, or to access wellbeing and social opportunities. 

Our dedicated Get Connected Employment and Development Workers are based in Turning Point hubs in Oxford, Witney, Didcot and Banbury, ready to help you connect with local opportunities, and take your first steps towards lasting, positive change - at your pace.

Here's what we can offer:

• A dedicated Employment and Development Worker who will work with you to create an achievable plan to help you build structure, and reach your own personal goals - we'll meet you wherever you are
• Opportunities to undertake wellbeing, social and sports activities to help you build your confidence, find passions, meet new people and maintain your recovery
• Specialist employability support to help you develop your CV, build your confidence in applying for jobs, and connect with local employers
• Wider support, as needed, around housing, debt or mental health with our partner organisations

Clive's story:

Clive started working with Aspire in January 2018 to support his recovery journey from drug & alcohol addiction. Clive moved to Oxford following a period in a rehab centre and was supported to find housing; he then started to come to Aspire to volunteer and gain work experience. When Clive first arrived he was in early stages of recovery and felt overwhelmed by the challenges ahead; his self-esteem and confidence were low and he felt very anxious. Clive spent time out with Aspire's social enterprise teams and also helped in the office with fundraising and communications, and in September 2018 joined the Aspire team as a paid staff member. The benefits of this experience have been significant.

“I definitely feel like I'm building up my confidence and self-worth, and being able to contribute to Aspire helps me feel comfortable in a work environment again. Aspire is a very safe, supportive and friendly place.  I can open up, be myself and be honest about my past, and discovering that this doesn’t have to be a barrier to moving towards employment has been very reassuring. Being around Aspire staff and clients who have faced similar challenges and seeing where they are now gives me so much hope. It tells me that you can go through difficult times but overcome them and thrive. I feel positive about the future - it's taken me to get to this point to genuinely have optimism and positivity about what's ahead. Thank you Aspire!”

For further information, please contact Dea Merkaj at [email protected]