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Catherine Russell

Catherine Russell has been a resident at our hostel in Newbury for the last two years. She arrived with an alcohol problem that had not only cost her her family, home and job, but had almost killed her. 

However, she's found that volunteering within our learning services (called The Base)at the hostel has been a great way to get her life back on a positive track. She now spends the majority of her time supporting and helping other residents to do the same.

"The Base is a place for residents to use computers and learn new skills. I started volunteering so it could open for longer periods. Eventually I was given the responsibility to hold the keys and ultimately to manage The Base, and thanks to a team of other volunteers it's now open every day from 8am to 10pm.

Focussing on managing The Base has replaced alcohol as the most important thing in my life. I'm kept busy and occupied all day every day.

I've got responsibilities and a new sense of purpose, and it's helped me to become completely dry.

Before I ended up homeless I used to have a high powered job in recruitment, so I'm using my skills and experiences to help other residents search for work, write CVs and apply for jobs. I worked in IT for many years and so I can help people to use the computers to do their college coursework or apply for courses, send emails and use Facebook to keep in touch with family and friends.

The Base is such an important part of the hostel and the facilities really benefit all the residents here, I'm just glad I'm able to help make a difference. Volunteering has definitely had a huge impact on my life. It's given me the confidence and self belief that I don't need alcohol to survive the day and I can do something worthwhile with my future. Ultimately I want to move into my own place and get a paid job with Two Saints so that I can continue working with other homeless people and support them to change their lives for the better."  

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