Maggie has been through a lot. But today, she’s sitting at home with her rescue dog – a dream she set for herself – and reflecting on how far she’s come. Not just in her recovery, but in who she’s become since peer mentoring.
More than recovery
When Maggie first came to Single Homeless Project, staying sober was everything. “I’ve worn my recovery very closely,” she says. “I’ve got to be sober, and I’m so grateful for being clean. I really am.”
But peer mentoring opened something new. “It has taught me that I can be even more than someone in recovery. I can live a full life. Addiction is part of my story, but it doesn’t define me. I can live out my dreams.”
That shift – from surviving to truly living – is at the heart of what peer mentoring has given her. “It’s given me confidence, that would be number one. Sense of purpose, structure, routine, new connections. It opened up my life and definitely opened up my recovery.”
Meeting Josh
As a peer mentor, Maggie was matched with Josh.
“When I first met Josh, he was resentful – and rightly so. He felt he was defined by his mental health, the stigma of having autism, and the way the world can sometimes react to him or limit him.”
Maggie understood that feeling instinctively. “I’ve got a diagnosis. It’s part of me, but it doesn’t define me. Mine and Josh’s diagnoses are different, but I can relate to him. We manage it.”
Building a relationship with Josh took patience and consistency.
“Trust. Space. Josh is autistic, so he needs his space. He’s got everything going for him – he just needs the confidence sometimes. Encouragement. And at times, someone to help rein it in a bit, because he can get frustrated. That can come across the wrong way, but really it’s because he cares so much.”
That steadiness paid off. Josh dreamed of working at a zoo. Now he’s doing it!
Why peer mentoring works
There’s something about shared experience that changes the dynamic between a mentor and the person they’re supporting – something that’s hard to replicate in a more traditional professional relationship.
If somebody thinks you’ve been in their shoes too, they open up more. Most of us don’t like authority. Peer mentors aren’t authoritative figures, and that makes a big difference.
For Maggie, being the person that others open up to has been just as transformative for her own recovery as it has been for the people she supports.
“It’s a miracle to help somebody. And for me to have purpose – it’s exciting, interesting, fresh.”
Feeling supported every step of the way
Maggie is clear that none of this happens without the right support around you. At Single Homeless Project, she says she’s felt that from the very beginning.
“I feel valued. Our opinions are asked for – it’s not just ‘do this, do that’. We’re really part of the programme, empowered to shape it, and given feedback on our work.”
But for Maggie, it’s not just about support. It’s about the sense of community, too.
“It’s fun – having fun is important to me. We’ve been bowling, the team meetings are great, and there’s real camaraderie. There’s always been encouragement and support from my peers and the peer mentoring team.”
Peer mentoring has given Maggie confidence and possibilities she hadn’t imagined before.
“It’s opened up my dreams. When I started, one of my hopes was to get a rescue dog – and now I’m here talking to you with my rescue dog sitting next to me.”
Thank you for your time, dedication, and passion, Maggie!
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