Having experienced drug addiction, Robby participated in Peter McVerry Trust’s 12-week detox programme before moving into our drug-free housing to continue his recovery. In the summer of 2019, he got the keys to his own accommodation in Howth, Co. Dublin.
“I’ve been three years trying to get back to my own place, three years trying to get my own independence. It’s been a long, hard road. I didn’t think I’d make it to be honest, there were times I fell, there were times things got in the way. But now that I finally am here, I finally have the keys to my own place – my own property with such beautiful scenery – it’s unbelievable. It made the struggle really, really worth it and I’m delighted to be here. It’s a dream come true for me,” said Robby.
Robby describes the central role that the Peter McVerry Trust Drug-Free Accommodation service and the staff played in supporting his efforts to overcome addiction and move on with his life.
“I was in drug-free housing for 18 months. Even though I’m independently living now, they are still supporting me. I still have my key worker, and there’s other support from Peter McVerry Trust making sure that now I’m here I get it right. Not many people have that support, yet Peter McVerry Trust provides it,” he said.
“Without the drug-free housing and that support I don’t think I’d have made it. I don’t think I’d have gotten this property and I don’t think I’d have gotten through being drug-free. They make sure you’re doing everything right, you’re getting to your meetings, your key worker is always checking in with you – it’s a massive support. Without that I’d probably either be back out there or dead. Thanks to Peter McVerry Trust, they made sure that didn’t happen. They made me aware of what’s going on around me and how to deal with these issues,” he added.
Now that he has a place to call his own, Robby discusses his favourite part of living independently in his new home, as well as his plans for the future.
“My favourite thing is to take a walk. That view and scenery out there is unbelievable. Coming from the city I’ve never had something like that so every evening to get out and take a walk around there is unbelievable. Watching the boats, watching the wildlife, the seals and the seagulls. It’s beautiful and that, by far, is the biggest thing for me,” said Robby.
“I’ll be going back to work in the next two weeks, I haven’t worked in over four years. Now I feel like I’m ready for it and I’m ready to move on with my life. I’ll go back part-time first, ease myself back into it so I can still get all my meetings and supports, and slowly ease myself back into work, back to where I should have been and back to life. It’s been a long three and a half years, but I’ve done it. I’ve done the work, but they’ve shown me the way. This is the pay-off,” he continued.
“I’m going to put my touch to the place now. Slowly, I’ll start adding bits and pieces. Start making it comfortable, the way I like it and getting to know some of the people around the community because I’m part of this community now. It’s about integrating with these people and making a life for myself,” he concluded.
