Testimonials

Case 1

“I have been impressed with Sanctuary on so many levels; so glad this much-needed  organisation exists.  Amidst the chaos, depression and worry of trying to deal with a troubled loved one suffering from addiction,  I’ve  got real comfort and support to help me cope better from my meetings with Sam McCleary, my support worker.  Sam would listen carefully to my worries and could always suggest strategies to relieve some of the turmoil and help me to stop obsessing and look after myself a bit better.   I always came away from out meetings feeling a bit more positive.  Sanctuary  also offers a free massage which is so beneficial, training and I understand other activities.   In fact I think I met and spoke with  most of the  people working there at some point.  They  are all so committed, friendly and  welcoming,  They have so much insight into the problems of addiction.   The place itself is lovely and  clean and well laid out with lots of useful literature in the reception area.  I do hope this organisation continues ad infinitum as it is a much needed sanctuary.”

Case 2

” I have attended Sanctuary on a regular basis for nearly 18 months, seeing Sharon and Yinka.  I have attended other organisations but would only attend Sanctuary.  I would be lost without this service and I don’t think I would have survived without it.  Brilliant, Love coming to my appointments”

 

Case 3

“I had reached a point in my life where I felt emotionally and mentally broken.  I was so desperate to talk about what was going on with me, and after numerous visits to my Drs, I was put on a 6-12 month waiting list for counselling.

A friend had given me a phone number for a good support and counselling service at Sanctuary Family Support.  In desperation, I rang the number.  It was a quick process of being accessed and allocated a support worker and counsellor.

I am still a client today and I feel blessed for the opportunity that Sanctuary have given me.  I am so grateful to my counsellor, who has given me a safe, warm environment, to allow me to explore and express my feelings.

For me, Sanctuary is one of those places that is available when you need the help, there and then at the moment in time, otherwise the chance for change is lost.

Gratitude to Sanctuary”

 

Case 4

“Sanctuary understands me in ways no one else does.  They supported me with unconditional love and compassion and helped me find the strength, acceptance I needed to deal with the most difficult situations in my life.

They helped me understand my mother who has been an alcoholic since I was a child.  They helped me find joy, love and peace with someone who suffers from an addiction; too big for me to understand.

They helped me find peace from all the anger I had from my mum’s drinking for over 20 years.

Living with someone who has an addiction is a heavy burden and weight that never leaves you.  It leaves scars that take years to heal, Sanctuary understands this.  They have stood by me through some of the worst times in my life.  They have helped me to function again when deep down, I had stopped.

Thank you to all at Sanctuary”

 

Case 5

“Sanctuary provides a wide range of support, from counselling to different types of therapies e.g. Massages, Acupuncture, Weekend/Day trips for the carers and their families and trips to the theatre, the list is endless.

Sanctuary helped me through some very dark times, without it, I don’t know where I’d be now.

I’m grateful to all the staff who play their individual roles with compassion and sincerity.

Meeting up with people once a week, who are going through rough times too, for different reasons, its nice to share our life experiences or just sit and listen”

 

Case 6

“Sanctuary has helped me stop taking drugs, helped me to talk about my problems and be outgoing and confident.  They still help me now. Been good to me”

 

Case 7

“Sanctuary has helped me so much.  I am bringing my grandson up (we have for the last 10 years) and the staff at Sanctuary have been a big help.

I have therapies and also 1-1 counselling.  The friends I have made are a great help because they have problems like me.

We have day trips in the Summer; which myself and grandson enjoy.  We have weekends away, which help so much.  I don’t know what I would do if I did not go to Sanctuary every week.  We all talk about our problems.  We also have a good laugh.  The staff are so helpful”

 

Case 8

“In my experience Sanctuary have been excellent and effective in motivating client groups, individuals to successfully get their lives back on track. Consistently provides relaxation and is literally a Sanctuary for individuals.

Sanctuary provides everything an individual could require with regard to support, educational IT classes, awareness of environments and effects of drugs and substance abuse in families etc. giving empowerment to their clients to cope.

I have participated in most of the other services and this has all contributed to my personal confidence and independence.

Staff members are open to suggestions from their client groups in order to improve their service and it is a democratic process accommodating their service users to problem solve and provides a cure not a plaster.

Sanctuary achieve the Best Service which is illustrated by its success rate.

Case 9

 

I have been attending Sanctuary on and off since 2017.  While I was under the care of Sanctuary I talked about my problems with alcoholism, PTSD and social anxiety and I was counselled accordingly and I used to leave each session feeling a lot better about myself, my friends noticed a change in me, other residents and key workers in my treatment centre told me that I became a lot more positive in my life.  This can only be down to the help I received in Sanctuary.

Sanctuary is a place where I come to talk my problems through, I stopped attending sanctuary in late 2017 because I believed I was busy in other areas of my life.  Slowly but surely my Mental health deteriorated and I relapsed with alcohol and ended up in resuscitation in hospital.  I was a broken man I rang Sanctuary up and asked if I could come back for counselling, they welcomed me with open arms.  So now I’m feeling a lot better about myself with regular sessions at Sanctuary.  I feel my life is back on track, and I know help is only a phone call away.  All the staff are excellent and they totally understand my problems.  I feel now that I’m not alone! I don’t know where I would be without a place like this.  Sanctuary to me means a safe haven.  I know I must come to regular sessions otherwise my mind will crumble.  I know of a number of other people that receive help from Sanctuary for their mental health and problems with Addiction.  Also the Wellbeing course is starting soon and I can’t wait to attend.