In 2011, Katie Thomson became the Eastern Region's Best Recovery Champion – an accolade bestowed on her at the first-ever regional recovery awards. Over 50 nominations were received for people, projects and services in the East of England helping former addicts to live drink- or drug-free lives.
Nicola Lambert, manager of Thetford Substance Misuses team Matthew Project proffered Katie's nomination.
"Recovery is contagious and Katie is a really effective Recovery Champion because she has shared herself and her own experience of recovery in a way that is inspiring, approachable and professional. She helped establish a thriving self help group in Thetford and developed and established a peer mentor programme".
'I like talking to Katie because you can't pull the wool over her eyes and she shows me what's possible' - comment from a service user May 12th 2011.
Katie shares her own recovery story here:
"In 2005 after spending five months focusing on recovering and healing after a life time of heroin addiction that ravaged my mind, body and self esteem I relocated and moved into a hostel to start a new clean and sober life.
Aged 29, with a criminal record and little education, I had never had a job. I started from scratch. I did some volunteering, some peer supporting and set about creating an honest and productive life for myself. It wasn't easy. I couldn't get a job supporting people as I hadn't been clean for long enough. So instead I focused on making myself more employable.
I knew I wanted to help people who had had addiction problems but I wasn't sure how to go about it. A friend, who saw me struggling and striving to achieve employment but falling as I had little work experience, helped me secure a placement within the Substance Misuse Team at the council. There I learned how to 'work an office'. I learned about printing and emails and time sheets and leave. The experience was invaluable.
I now had two years of experience to fill a CV and when a job came up in The Matthew Project I went for it. Driving was essential, and I said 'if you give me the job I will learn to drive immediately!' They saw my passion and enthusiasm and gave me a chance.
In post over four years I grew a lot in confidence and learnt so much. Last year, I completed the Norfolk DAAT's Certificate of Higher Education in Substance Misuse. I graduated with full dress, cap and gown much to my family's absolute pleasure.
I came up with the idea of starting a mentor scheme in Thetford. While volunteers need to be two years clean, Mentors need only be six months clean or sober, and no longer in need of Matthew Project services for themselves. The mentor role carries slightly less responsibility. Crossing the bridge from having been a client, to some kind of support work can be daunting for someone who has had drug/alcohol issues, as I know, so they are very well supported and guided.
The role of a mentor is varied and involves anything from 1-1 mentoring, outreach, health promotions/road shows, publicity, talks, to helping run groups, or taking clients to appointments or support groups.
Mentors prove a great help to both the staff and clients. They are role models, promoting life AFTER addiction.
The mentors gain knowledge and experience, structure and routine, a raised self esteem and confidence, a sense of belonging and productiveness, as well as training and a reference.'
At the Recovery Awards Ceremony we heard that treatment is a small part of the recovery journey. Since being nominated, Katie has moved on another stage in her recovery journey, leaving the Matthew Project for a newly created post with Open Road Recovery Service in Bury St Edmunds.