Running is the path to recovery for John.
We caught up with John who came through our door at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court last year.
CASS+ support has lifted John
John had been working 12-hour shifts for years, and getting very low, burning out, dependent on drugs and worrying about money. He suddenly faced court, a criminal record and unemployment.
He was terrified, but the police offered him a lifeline.
Selection for the Jatis Project CIC
CASS+ ensures that the people who come through our door inside the Magistrates’ Courts in Devon and Cornwall get tailored support at court and into life beyond. Instead of prison, John was offered a community-based mental and physical health rehabilitation programme. It’s not easy to get onto the Jatis Project, but he was able to prove his motivation. The team has provided housing, NA meetings and his own support worker. They also offer the 12-Step Program, giving solid foundations to build his recovery. But it’s really John’s passion for running that has enabled him to move forward.
CASS+ gets John on the path to recovery
With a tight budget, John urgently needed some suitable trainers for winter conditions. Our Assistant Coordinator in Newton Abbot applied for an ACTS435 grant and took him shopping. He can now run from Torquay Harbour to Goodrington and back, no matter what the weather conditions.
Running is the lifeline John needed
After successfully completing the Couch to 5K Challenge, John is now organising his own running groups as a volunteer for Healthscape. His groups are popular and he believes that this connection with others is the antidote to the isolation that addiction brings. Likeminded people of all ages and all backgrounds come together to run:
It’s a very positive feeling. I’m completely focussed. Somewhere between the first and second kilometre, I start to feel really good and just focus on my distance and time. This is giving me a solid goal – overcoming mental barriers and constantly increasing distance and speed. I use Strava and regularly manage 17 kilometres in one go. I’m really proud of my medals – this is just the start. I plan to have a lot more than this.
Overcoming barriers
John’s positivity attracted the attention of someone in one of his running groups and he now has a part time job at Iceland. So, volunteering became the stepping stone he needed for employment.
John is so thankful for the support he is receiving:
There are so many people feeling desperate at the moment. Opportunities just don’t come their way and they don’t feel they have a place in life. There’s a lot that could be done. They don’t know that there are so many different organisations like CASS+ out there offering incredible practical advice and emotional support.
I hope I can inspire others to believe that with the right help, it really is possible to sort yourself out and start afresh.
Please get in touch if CASS+ can help you.
If you face similar problems, CASS+ is here to get you the help you need.
Like John, you are welcome to drop in to any of our offices inside these courts, 9.15am – 4.30pm:
Newton Abbot (Mon-Thu)
T: 01626 337214
M: 07539 837104
Plymouth (Mon-Fri)
T: 01752 601153 / 206187
M: 07949 455158
Bodmin (Thursdays only)
T: 01208 78003
M: 07949 455443
Truro (Mon, Wed, Thu)
T: 01872 274104
M: 07949 455443