When Renée* arrived at Cambridge Cyrenians, she was carrying an enormous amount. She had been living in a women's refuge, was managing a thyroid cancer diagnosis, and was travelling regularly into Cambridge for hospital treatment and check-ups. Those visits also gave her something to fight for: the chance to see her children. When she decided it was time to move closer, she transferred first to another hostel, then into Cambridge Cyrenians supported accommodation.

Her situation was complex. Renée had experienced on-and-off struggles with addiction, and the sustained stress of court proceedings to regain access to her children made that harder. Recovery is rarely linear, and for Renée, that was true. At Christmas, she relapsed.

What made the difference was what surrounded her when it happened.

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Finding Stability, Sobriety, and a Path Forward‍

Cambridge Cyrenians' Mental Health Nurse, Louisa, had been meeting with Renée weekly throughout her time in supported accommodation. During the relapse, that relationship held. No judgement, consistent support, and a continuity of care that meant Renée was never left to manage alone. Every member of the team who worked with Renée took the time to understand what she was dealing with and met her there.

The support was practical as well as emotional. The team paid for Renée to sit her theory test and have funded her practical driving test, which she is due to sit in July. Independence matters, and driving will open up her world considerably.

Community mattered, too. Through supported accommodation, Renée found friendships. She became a regular at Art Collab, Cambridge Cyrenians' weekly craft sessions, where participants take part in projects ranging from wreath making and flower arranging to painting.

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A bright future

In February, Renée reached a milestone that had motivated her throughout: her youngest daughter came back into her full-time care. She moved into her own temporary accommodation, with her daughter, and began the next chapter. Cambridge Cyrenians stayed in touch. Our team helped her move, sourced a fridge for her new home, and continue to check in to make sure she is managing.

Renée is now four months sober. She volunteers twice a week at a charity shop and attends regular NA and AA meetings as part of her ongoing recovery. The direction of her life has shifted, and she knows why.

"All the Cambridge Cyrenians staff are really nice. I can speak to them about everything. It's been a great experience; I've got lots of support."

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