James is a former service user who later returned to Cork Simon as a staff member. Now a member of our voluntary Board of Directors, James recalls his remarkable journey from homelessness to board member.

“I’d been through rehab a few times, but I never had that aftercare element. The house where I moved into with Cork Simon was on the south side. I’m from the north side.

To be taken out of my old environment for a period of time, I think that was so important for me because there were so many triggers, memories, guilt and shame for who I used to be and my old behaviours.

I was given a new lease of life out in an area where I was anonymous, where I could build from the ground up and be supported in the process."

James discusses why he felt compelled to return to work with Cork Simon and give something back …