Client Stories

Maurice

Maurice is a participant in SOVA Side by Side Mentoring at the North Liverpool Community Justice Centre. The Centre is unique in the UK and is based on a model from Brooklyn, New York. The model combines a court, presided over by a circuit judge, along with a wide variety of support agencies, all housed under one roof. The court deals with
guilty pleas on so-called ‘quality of life’ crimes (crimes that especially affect the local community) and the offender’s entire history is presented and considered as part of the sentencing. Complete packages are therefore put together, aimed at combining punishment with holistic support and rehabilitation. Maurice was sentenced through the Centre. He resides at the YMCA, attends a structured day care programme called Alternatives and is matched with Rob, a SOVA mentor.

Excerpts from Maurice’s diary:

17th February
“I was first introduced to Rob... (he) came to the YMCA and we went for a coffee, and I told him that I was going to Alternatives every weekday, studying IT and English & Maths. We talked about how I ended up in court and that it was all because of my drink problem and that all the times I have been in trouble over the last five years is all because of the drink. I told Rob how long I had been off the drink and that it was the longest I had been sober since being in rehab, which was two years ago”.

24th February
“Second meeting with Rob. Rob asked how I was doing at Alternatives, I told him I really enjoy going because it gets me out every day. Told him about my ex-wife who I still miss even after five years. Told Rob that I can handle this but when I start drinking it makes it seem so much worse – I either end up in Police cells or hospital feeling completely depressed and suicidal because the drink has beaten me again. Told Rob I had tried to kill myself on numerous occasions.”

3rd March
“Went for coffee again with Rob. Told him about the church I was going to and the nice people I had met. Talked about how I had to keep away from my old friends, because if I go to see them I know I will start drinking again. Discussed what I wanted to do in the future, told him I’d like to get back into work when I get my confidence back. Still find the weekends hard, need something to do. Good to tell someone how long I’ve been off the drink. Don’t know how it helps, but it does.”

10th March
“Talked about how I really wanted to do some voluntary work at the weekend. I tend to go on too much and Rob just listens. So good to be off the drink and feeling better in myself.”

17th March
“For some reason feeling really low and depressed. I really felt like going for a drink, I told Rob this and we just talked about it. If it was not for Rob and being able to talk to him there is no doubt about it that I would be drinking again and back into the madness. It helped to have Rob to talk to, I usually have no Day I have not had a drink.”

7th April
“Went with Rob to the Volunteer Centre and filled out the forms.”

14th April
“I talked about a lot of things, must drive Rob mad because I just go on and on.”

21st April
“Told Rob about the exams I had taken in IT. And about how the music class was going and the new friends I had made which I thought I never would.”

28th April
“I was so worried about seeing Rob because I had a drink on Monday and did not stop until Thursday, and felt so guilty that I had let him down after all of the advice he had given me, so ashamed. We went for coffee. I told Rob I had no idea why I had drunk again, I knew exactly how I would feel and still did it. Rob once again gave me such good advice and did not judge me. We went to the Cathedral and just sat
for ten minutes, which helped me gather my thoughts.”

5th May
“After church on Sunday got invited to lunch. There was a man who runs AA meetings and I had a good chat with him.”

12th May
“Told Rob I was back at Alternatives, and hadn’t had a drink for four days. We talked about how I got through it and that it was the first time I have only drunk for a few days and stopped, it usually goes on for weeks or months.”

19th May
“Went to Volunteer Centre with Rob, and have an appointment for 2nd June to discuss what voluntary work I would like to do. Told Rob my mind was made up, it will give me something to do at the weekend,
because that is the time I am really tempted to go and have a drink.”

26th May
“Told Rob I had just done a test on Power Point in IT, which the previous week I was going to give up, but Rob had advised me to do something else for the day and come back to it, which I did and it suddenly clicked. Told Rob about the music class and that I was getting a bit annoyed that we keep getting complaints from the office next door ... we did not choose the room. I cannot get annoyed about things like this, because I usually turn back to the drink ... I think this thing about getting annoyed over
stupid things is just an excuse for me to go and drink again and blame it on whatever has wound me up and I have done this so many times in the past...”

Maurice, Rob and Project Manager Gary have agreed that now Maurice is developing a new network of support, they will move from weekly meetings to fortnightly meetings to further encourage Maurice’s
independence.