Stop the closure of Double Impact, Mansfield

Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of Double Impact Services and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

Double Impact supports people in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire with drug and alcohol addictions to build a lasting recovery and a meaningful life.

This is my story.....

 My name is Claire and I have been attending the academy for two years.  

In 2017, I went into a two-week detox at Park House with the help of CGL. I cannot fault them for allowing me that chance to get help and be free of my alcohol addiction and my key worker did have my best interests at heart. However, after I completed the two-week detox, a few moths had passed and I felt lost again and unsupported. I didn’t know where to turn. I will point out that at this time I had no knowledge of Double Impact and unfortunately, was not signposted there. After a while of trying to battle through on my own I went back into my old behaviours, lapsing, relapsing and my overall well-being was in a dangerous state, worse than it was before detox.  
I fell deeper into my addiction with alcohol. I was very lost and had no direction in my life. I had hit rock bottom. At my lowest point I was homeless, jobless and lost all contact with my children and family. I was struggling with my mental health and was isolated from the outside world.  
In June 2019 when I self-referred to Double Impact everything changed. Despite my initial apprehensions and my social anxiety, I went along and immediately felt so welcome. It was something I had never experienced before. I always felt that I never fitted in anywhere before and struggled a lot with my confidence and self-esteem.  I started attending weekly groups, self-development courses and one to ones and over time my confidence started to grow. The fact that there were so many people that were in similar situations to myself was refreshing as they understood my struggles and everyone was willing to listen and offer support.  
 
 I went on to complete the Mentoring Programme, the Drug and Alcohol Awareness course and I am now part of the BBO Project. I have had the confidence to complete many others courses and I am actively seeking employment. The support and encouragement from Double Impact made me feel that I could make something of myself and more importantly that I was a good person that deserved a life free from addiction. It may be a small team of staff but they are fantastic at what they do and a credit to Double Impact as a whole. 
Although I can’t say for certain where I would be now without the support of Double Impact, I will say that I very much doubt I would be sober, have a roof over my head or have the relationship with my children I do today. Double Impact gave me a purpose and a reason to keep moving forward.  
When I heard that Double Impact was potentially closing, I was devastated and also angry. I'm dumbfounded that something that was so crucial in my recovery and the rebuilding of my life and so many others may not continue. As I am in a comfortable position with my recovery today and future prospects I could just go on and live my life and thank Double Impact for all their support. I suppose that is the ultimate goal, reintegrating people like myself back into the community and contributing to society in a positive way. Hearing that the service may not be available to others like me in the future stirs up a feeling of sadness and dread for want of a better word.  
Double Impact was my lifeline, my community and the biggest supporter I have ever had, and still is today. It allowed me to work out who I was as a person, it gave me confidence and skills I never knew I had and a sense of belonging that I have never felt before. I have hope for the future at last, which is a big thing. Like many others, I am still part of Double Impact and that is very important to me.  
If it closes so many people that are in the same position I was will be affected without a doubt, and unfortunately, may not get to experience a life free of their addiction. The pandemic has had a major impact on people's mental health, drinking habits and isolated people like never before. I fear for the people who need or may need support in the future, which includes the current service users, that is local and offers what it has given me. It will be a great loss to the people of Mansfield and surrounding areas who value and need it.  

Many thanks for taking the time to read xx

This service is vital for the people of Mansfield and surrounding areas and will have a huge impact if it was to close. Double Impact is valued greatly by so many people, including myself, who thrive with the help of the service. 

Unfortunately, Double Impact have not been able to secure funding to continue their vital work and will close in the near future. The benefits of the service are quite frankly amazing and a lifeline for everyone that steps through their doors.
It not only supports with recovery, it also supports education and social inclusion for people that may otherwise be isolated. It is a way to reintegrate individuals into society with the tools and strategies much needed today. 
Double Impact would really appreciate your support to keep the service going, anything that you can spare would be fantastic!