From trauma to triumph: Lambeth’s peer mentors inspire change

Lambeth Together is proud to support Alcohol Awareness Week, shining a spotlight on the powerful journeys of peer mentors who have overcome alcohol addiction and are now helping others do the same.

Ruth Hutt, Director of Public Health at Lambeth Council, said: “We’re extremely proud of the peer mentors we have in Lambeth, who play an integral role in supporting people on their journey to recovery from substance and alcohol addiction. They’ve shown how personal adversity can be transformed into strength, offering support and guidance to some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

“If you’re struggling with addiction, or know someone in Lambeth who is, do reach out to local services like Lorraine Hewitt House and The Harbour, where you can access holistic healthcare, support and counselling.”

Read how two peer mentors in Lambeth found support from local services to recover and rebuild their lives:

Tamara’s Story

“In 2016 my partner was murdered in front of me after a boxing match. I had my two sons and a daughter with cerebral palsy to take care of on my own, and I had to cope with the long trail. I began drinking during that time. Then in 2021, my daughter passed away and I was on the verge of suicide. I went to my doctor’s and told them I couldn’t cope any more, and so they referred me to Lorraine Hewitt House.

“I had a really nice key worker called Meva. She was so supportive. She got in touch with a psychologist who referred me to the Harbour, to do a detox and rehab. It was a long waiting list, but Meva managed to get me into a treatment centre. Rehab gave me the space to try to understand why I was there, and work through the trauma I’d been through.

“I wasn’t working before my recovery. Although I was a full-time carer, I had to drink just to function. I knew I had to be here for my sons, they’re good young men, they go to university. I wanted them to know we can get through this. They’ve always seen me as a strong woman – I didn’t want them to see me crumble.

“The Harbour has been a big, big help. I started volunteering as a peer support worker there as I really want to be able to share my story with other people and give back. It’s a stepping stone for me to help people with active addiction.

“It means the world to me to do this work. If Lorraine Hewitt House and the Harbour weren’t here, I don’t know where I’d be today. After losing my partner, and then my daughter, I knew I’d just had enough of living.

“At the Harbour we have an open-door policy for people who are experiencing substance abuse – whether that’s alcohol or other substances. I greet them, we talk about their choices, maybe refer them to detox or rehab. We study relapse prevention, and there’s lots of different things you can get involved with such as meditation, yoga and art classes. I’m a welcoming face to show that we’re here for them. It helps them to know I’ve had a similar experience, so they can trust me.

“Since getting sober two years ago I’ve passed my driving test, I’ve been away on holiday twice, I’m volunteering. And I plan to start health and social care training in September. I’m so appreciative of the Harbour and Lorraine Hewitt House. I want people to know that we can go through dark times, but there is help and a light at the end of the tunnel.

“If you see a loved one struggling, try not to pressure them, just be a source of support. Have information to give them about where to get help if they’re ready for it. Most importantly, just be there for them.”

Samantha’s story

“I was drinking every day, all day and all night. I was going to end up losing my daughter if I didn’t seek help, and I knew I couldn’t stop drinking on my own. Her dad had just passed away, which had caused me to drink even more. She was scared she would lose her mum as well.

“My daughter was a big motivating factor in getting sober, but I also had to do it for myself. I think if I’d carried on drinking, I’d have died from liver failure. I was warned by my GP I had to be careful. It’s also affected my eyesight, and I’m now partially blind as a result.

“Lorraine Hewitt House and The Harbour have helped me stay sober for just over two years and rebuild my life again by giving me structure. I’d go Monday to Friday to the Harbour and join their support groups for relapse prevention. It gave me something to get up for in the morning and somewhere to be. They run small groups which are nice as they’re well supported. Without this I’d have just sat at home. It’s also a very supportive community –  the staff and service users are all very welcoming. No one is judged.

“Other things that helped me were the art classes. I also did a circle of life course and mindfulness course there. They run a menopause group which helps you understand the changes that happen with your body before menopause. A lot of the symptoms – feeling depressed, hot sweats, cravings – can feel very similar to withdrawal, which has caused other women to relapse and not recover again for years. So I’m glad I learnt about this.

“If you’re struggling with addiction right now, first I’d try to talk someone. You can visit Lorraine Hewitt House or The Harbour in person to find out about their support groups. Or if you want to try Alcoholics Anonymous, you could also ring their helpline to be referred.

“Where would I be if I didn’t get this support? Probably in the ground. Today I get up and feel grateful for my life. I go to the gym every morning. I’m a peer mentor for the Harbour and at Lorraine Hewitt House. I’m also a parent mentor to support parents fighting to have their children back. I’d like to stay working in alcohol support services – I just want to be there to give support to others and make a difference.”

Get support in Lambeth

If you know anyone who lives in Lambeth and needs support with alcohol addiction, you can share information about these services – both are self-referral or can be accessed via your GP:

Lorraine Hewitt House: offers walk in assessments from 9am Monday to Friday and booked telephone or face to face assessments. Referrals can be made through lambethaddictionreferrals@slam.nhs.uk  or 0203 228 1500.

Lambeth Harbour: You can drop in to the Harbour to learn about the support available or call 0207 095 1980.

If you’d like to drink less and have a healthier relationship with alcohol, DrinkCoach is an online alcohol service offering free Online coaching via Zoom or Teams with weekend and evening appointments available.

Adfam offers a series of one-two-one support sessions to adults living in Lambeth affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol use. Request free support from Adfam.

Young people can get support for substance misuse issues from Lambeth Young People’s Project, delivered by Change, Grow, Live (CGL). Fill in a referral form on the CGL website, email  Lambeth.yp@cgl.org.uk or call, text or WhatsApp 07787 272209 or 07586 713906.

More useful links

Alcoholics Anonymous: call free 0800 917 7650, email help@aamail.org or ask questions in the live chat box on their website.

Lambeth mental health crisis support. Support is available 24 hours a day, every day: Lambeth mental health crisis support.

A Lambeth Together priority

The Lambeth Together Substance Misuse Programme brings together partners to make sure people get the information and support they need to understand and address the health impacts of substance misuse, smoking, and alcohol. One of the key aims of the programme is to increase the number of people accessing and completing treatment for substance misuse. Learn more about the Lambeth Together Substance Misuse Programme priorities.