A family support service has provided space to help people who are unable to cope with substance misuse since 1999.
Sanctuary Family Support was set up 23 years ago by four mothers who had family who were drug and substance abusers. They decided to do something for themselves because there were no services in the south end of Liverpool for them to get help.
Maddy Vaz has been a trustee and also managed the service, all on a voluntary basis, throughout this time.
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Maddy told the ECHO: "We wanted to help people, it was like the worst thing in the world losing a child to drug abuse. For some people the focus is just on the user, but for us it's about 'we've got a life as well'
"What we do with family members, we give them coping strategies, also help them with holistic therapies and the stress they go through. Sanctuary is actually a little gem in the Liverpool 8 community, because it feels for those people who are suffering and crying."
She added: "Don’t suffer in silence, there is help available. Please come to us and offload your problems and we will help you. I’m sure you will be happy with the service."
They have four paid staff; two family support workers, a counsellor and administrator and the rest are volunteers. Volunteers play a vital role in the services provided which help people change their lives and Sanctuary tailors support to meet each person's needs, including yoga, exercise and workshops.
Lisa is 47 and spent over 20 years abusing alcohol and crack cocaine. She said: "I volunteer to give something back to the community. I came to Sanctuary in 2015 after being in rehab.
"I help by welcoming people, giving advice and using my journey to show that there is treatment out there. To show them where I am now, I was where you were and turned my life around".
For support information and opening times visit HERE or call 0151 735 0747
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