Nick L’s story

I first accessed Forward’s services at HMP Wayland. I was in Forward’s recovery wing, before moving on to become a peer supporter for ten months. As a peer supporter, I would visit the induction wings every Monday morning to talk to new arrivals about Forward’s services and how they could help them turn their lives around.

When I was released from prison, Forward continued to support me and my recovery and I even went on to do a bit of volunteering with them. Now I am able to sponsor other people in recovery, helping them to battle their addictions and start over.

Forward gave me the foundation to do all the things I wanted to do outside prison.

I have previously worked in drug services, but I am now fulfilling a lifelong dream of working in trucking and seeing where life takes me from there. Forward gave me the foundation to do all the things I wanted to do outside prison.

My advice for anyone struggling with addiction and wanting to find recovery is that you need to take direction from people you trust without being in a rush to get it right. You have to listen to what others have to say. When you’re full of fear, this can be hard, but it’s worth it in the long run.