Recovery Stories - James

Before coming to River Garden I was what could be described as a problem drug user. I required medication and was regularly involved with criminal justice services. My life was chaotic and I couldn’t maintain work placements due to my drug use. My relationships with those who cared about me were painful, as my addiction hurt those who loved me and I felt guilty because I couldn’t see a way out.

My arrival at River Garden was great. It was just before Christmas and the festive period is a really special time here. I struggled initially to apply myself to the work, and was suspicious of those in authority based on my previous experiences. I came from a mindset based on avoiding responsibility. I slowly but surely came round to the program and began to take pleasure in responsibility, feeling gratitude that people would trust me in my role. I had experiences meeting those who I had always viewed as the enemy, but I discovered our shared humanity and my stereotypes faded into yesterday. The biggest thing for me was feeling a part of something and feeling like my contribution mattered. This new found meaning in my life was something shared with other residents which helped create a new identity based on caring about more than myself.

I have spent most of my time at River Garden honing my skills in the kitchen as I was a Chef to trade before arriving here. I have also been lucky enough to learn more about where the food I cook with comes from, spending periods in the allotment growing vegetables. This has helped me gain the utmost respect for the land and for those who work it with love and respect for its life sustaining qualities. During my time here I began a new journey of education. I left school at 15 after being expelled from school, spending only four months at a new school to take my exams. I gained standard grades at level much lower than I could have achieved. So I had always accepted that an educational pathway was not available to me. During my time here I signed up for an access course with the Open University which I passed with a distinction. When covid hit I noticed distance learning opportunities arising so I undertook a short course with Glasgow University, passing with an A. I am now in the process of doing my higher English via distance learning with Aberdeen University.

I took a lead role in managing the River Garden pop-up café and it was an amazing experience getting to know customers and chatting to dog walkers whilst serving cakes and coffee. I am now gratefully an employee within the new Bothy Café with another part of my role being to offer peer support to the other guys within the project. My journey here shows that with a little help and compassion, your life does change immeasurably, if you’re willing to do the work.



I have now moved into a new flat with a nice big garden which I am looking forward to tidying up and creating a wee veg patch of my own. I will still be working at River Garden and maintaining a strong connection with the guys as I have made friends for life within the project. I hope to step down to part time hours in the café in August and attend college to take the first step in pursuing a degree. I am really excited about the possibilities which my future holds. Before coming here I could only see my life as a battle to survive the day now there is a whole world of opportunities yet to realised.