Service User’s Account of Opening Doors
Evie was 15 when she was referred to the Young People’s Substance Misuse Treatment Service (YPSMTS). She was working with the Youth Offending Team (YOT) at the time and was also identified as a young person in need of help by the nurses at the Children’s Hospital. This was after Evie had taken an overdose following an argument at home where things were difficult for her.
Evie says of her life at this time: “I felt lost and alone. I got along okay with my older brother but he was rarely there. Everyone else got on well but not with me, I felt like the black sheep of the family with everyone ganging up on me.”
At the time of referral Evie was drinking spirits on a regular basis and also smoking cannabis.
“At first the drinking started out as fun but it soon got out of hand and became more frequent. I was introduced to cannabis by a friend and it soon became part of my daily routine” says Evie.
Evie was taken into the YPSMTS as a young person with complex needs and was allocated a substance misuse worker. Together they drew up a list of her needs, her goals for the future and a plan of action. Evie said that she wanted to go to college but didn’t think she could as school had been a problem for some time. She also had a long history of offending related to her alcohol use.
“I used to lie in bed as I couldn’t see the point of getting up. Sometimes I think I used to offend just to get noticed whether it be positive or negative attention. I fell down a rabbit hole and deep down I knew it was only me that could get myself out.”
Evie was receiving support not only from YPSMTS but many other agencies including the YOT, the Family Intervention Project (FIP) and Young Bristol. Lots of encouragement, positive activities and a structured package of care looking at Evie’s substance misuse and offending behaviour was soon in place. Evie was busy with appointments almost every day. Although it felt overwhelming at times, Evie feels it helped add some much needed structure into her life.
Evie began attending school again and had some time out of the family home staying with her nan. This space gave Evie and her mum time to work on their relationship. Evie also became an auntie and this improved her relationship with her older sister. During this time Evie also discovered a love of books, in particular the Twilight saga and she describes “running home from school to read my books. I was so excited, and maybe a bit obsessed, ha ha. Mum noticed a change in my behaviour and we started getting on better. She was encouraging and my step dad also began to help me whereas before we didn’t have a good relationship.”
Evie’s family was also getting help from the FIP and this included a parenting course. When Evie started receiving encouragement and praise her self-esteem grew and she started to believe in herself. She started to think of the future and about her hopes of going to college.
Evie applied to study health & social care at college, something that she always wanted to do. After lots of waiting and anticipation, Evie was accepted onto the course. She has done very well, achieving good results and making new friendships that she values. She is due to re-take her Maths and English GCSE and is set to move onto the second year of the course. After this she would like to go to university and work with young people with difficulties so that they can receive the support that she received. She hopes that this will benefit them in the way that she feels she has benefited.
Now Evie is happy at home with her family, has lots of new friends, isn’t drinking or smoking, still reads her books, has had her YOT order revoked and is waving goodbye to all the services that have helped her.
“I’m looking forward to qualifying in a few years so that I can work alongside the agencies that have helped me in the past. I’m determined to achieve this so look out!”
Evie
Aged 16 years
