A Wigan woman has lost 12.5 stone and rebuilt her life after years of supporting her husband through his struggle with alcohol and addiction.
Kate O'Neill, 40, said she had "completely lost herself" while supporting her husband Martin, 47, through his addiction. But after finding support through WithYou and partner BAC O'Connor, Kate began rebuilding her own life and has since lost 12.5 stone.
Her transformation has seen her take up regular exercise, join a women's football team and become a volunteer with BAC O'Connor.
Finding support
Kate first turned to WithYou's Concerned Others support group after Martin began receiving help through the charity's recovery programme. WithYou delivers Wigan Council's commissioned drug and alcohol recovery service in partnership with BAC O'Connor at Greenslate Farm, working together to support people and families across the borough.
"At the time, I had completely lost myself," Kate said. "I wasn't eating or sleeping, and everything revolved around his illness. Walking into the Concerned Others group was overwhelming, but it became the place where I finally found myself again."
The person-centred support, combined with meeting others who understood what she was going through, gave Kate the confidence to start putting herself first.
"The service made me feel less alone," she said. "I didn't think I could get through it without them. That group gave me confidence, purpose and the support I needed to rebuild my life."
A dramatic transformation
Since then, Kate has undergone a dramatic personal transformation. Alongside having gastric sleeve surgery and losing 12.5 stone, she has embraced exercise by regularly going to the gym and taking up football.
She now volunteers with BAC O'Connor and plays every week with the women's football group delivered through Wigan Council's Be Well service at William Foster Football Hub in Ince.
"I feel incredible, and I finally have the confidence to be a new me," Kate said. "The women's football team has been truly inspirational. It has given me community, strength and joy."
Thriving together
Martin is also now thriving in long-term recovery, and Kate is keen to share their experience to demonstrate the importance of support for families and loved ones affected by drug or alcohol problems.
She said: "There's so much stigma around addiction, but there's also stigma for families. You often feel powerless, but there is help. We're thriving now, both individually and together, and the support from the groups has been continuous."
WithYou in Wigan and Leigh is Wigan Council's commissioned drug and alcohol recovery service, offering free and confidential support to adults, young people and families.
Support is available to people who want information about reducing harm, would like to cut down their drug or alcohol use, or are ready to stop altogether.
The local service takes a person-centred approach, working closely with BAC O'Connor to provide one-to-one support, community rehabilitation and structured group programmes. People can access the service without judgement and without needing a GP referral.
WithYou has also developed a close partnership with Wigan Council's Be Well health and wellbeing service, helping people receiving support to become more active and introducing specialist opportunities for those in recovery.
Be Well has more than 20,000 members across its seven local leisure centres, as well as providing a wide range of community activities in parks and other locations across the borough.
Councillor Keith Cunliffe, Deputy Leader of Wigan Council and cabinet portfolio holder for adult social care and health, said Kate and Martin's experience showed the impact local services can have on people's lives.
He said: "Kate and Martin's story is truly inspiring and an amazing example of the real difference that WithYou is making in our communities, and we're really proud that Be Well has played a part in their journey.
"Particularly during Recovery Month and the Month of Hope, it's a wonderful reminder that, whatever challenges you are facing, there is always somebody to turn to.
"As a council, we'll continue to collaborate with WithYou and all our local partners to ensure Wigan Borough residents are able to get the support they need."
