Hello, I’m Nadia*. I moved to England with my partner many years ago. We were together for 15 years when he started having affairs with other women. I stayed with him for another 2 years, hoping he would choose to stay with me. This was so hard, and I started drinking, which made me really ill. I ended up in hospital. While I was there my partner told me I couldn’t come home. 

My first night out of the hospital, I stayed with a friend. Then on the second night, I went to the Ferry Project. I had depression and anxiety, alcohol addiction, a deformed foot, and other health problems too. I just desperately hoped they could help me. 

At the start, I would drink in my room. The Ferry team warned me that this wasn’t okay, then one day I fell badly while I was drunk. After that, I decided I didn’t want to drink anymore. Ferry connected me with the team at Change Grow Live, who helped me to overcome my alcohol addiction. I haven’t had a drink for over five months now. 

Ferry’s Smoking Cessation Worker also helped me to quit smoking. I haven’t had a cigarette in three months. 

Years ago, I had surgery on my left foot, which was becoming quite deformed. Unfortunately this runs in my family, as my grandma had it too, and my right foot was becoming really bad. Ferry helped me to set up and go to GP appointments, and now I’m getting treatment for my foot. 

After a few months at Ferry I moved into Sunrise Haven, their hostel for residents with gender sensitive needs. I now have a kitchen where I can make my own food, and I’m helping with the gardening. I’ve planted lots of beautiful flowers, and I’m taking good care of them. My journey isn’t over yet, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. 

*Name changed for anonymity