Ben's Lasting Change

Ben is currently living in move-on accommodation as part of his recovery and recently celebrated six months of sobriety.

After many years of challenges with alcohol and offending, he reached a point where he wanted to make lasting change. He found Konnect online and got in touch to look for support and direction.

Since then, Ben has fully engaged in his learning. He completed the Level 2 Counselling Skills course and then enrolled on the Level 2 Mentoring Skills course. He quickly became a positive presence in the group, contributing openly, supporting others, and encouraging thoughtful discussion. His strong self-awareness and calm, reflective approach have helped to create a safe and welcoming learning environment for everyone involved.

Ben has also joined Konnect’s volunteer programme. In his first session, he engaged confidently in discussions around the criminal justice system and contributed valuable insights from his lived experience. He also supported a project filming staff interviews for new service users and handled the task sensitively, showing consideration for those who were unsure about being on camera.

Through the courses and volunteering opportunities, Ben has been able to rebuild confidence, purpose and belief in his ability to move forward. He now has a clearer sense of direction and is working towards a future role supporting others who may be facing similar challenges. He plans to continue his training in mentoring and support work and has already shown real promise in this field.

Ben says:

“My time with Konnect has made a big difference. The courses have helped me understand myself better and build confidence. I’ve felt supported and encouraged from the start. Experiences like the group sessions and even the kayaking day have been good for my mental health. I’m looking forward to what comes next and want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way.”