It’s been an eye-opening process, one that’s helped me take a step back and consider not only my career but my life as a whole.  

Thirty-six-year-old Simon says he’s tried every substance going. For almost 20 years, the scaffolder from Coventry was caught up in the chaos of drugs, prison and poor mental health. But now, with support from Jericho House and Riverside, Simon is in full recovery and on the path to a new career.

We released a powerful short film about one man’s experience sleeping rough in Manchester, his recovery journey, and how he has drawn on this lived experience to engage with and support others who find themselves in a similar position.

Hear Aimee’s story and how she thinks young person support services at Riverside have improved thanks to co-production.

Advocating for those in need can sometimes feel like an uphill battle when it shouldn’t have to be. Today, I want to share one such success story – a testament to the power of perseverance, determination and collaboration.

“From starting in a place where I could not see any positives, to now preparing myself to go out to make a difference for people in our community.”

A difficult childhood, followed by years of addiction, homelessness and mental health problems, 50-year-old George Smith has had his fair share of ups and downs. But after 25 years of living on the edge, George has turned his life around. And, through Riverside’s GROW trainee programme, he’s using his own experience to help others. This is George’s story.