Mumsnet Talk

Oh no 17 yrs clean - you have to be 2 yrs clean to volunteer (anywhere) normally sorry wasn't very clear but thanks.

I use volunteers in my own project now .

Sorry gossip just re-read your post clearly you have been clean longer than 2 years...inspirational.

Thanks so much for all the posts

More thanks to Gossip, for having left those days behind and for having chosen to spend your time helping others. I laughed at heroine addict though!

Yes, we are the ones who took BIL on our honeymoon to Thailand. The monastery was amazing, and apparently just what he needed. He was very subdued on the flight back - he told me he feels very said that he has wasted 13 years of his life. We got married at the weekend and he didn't come because he hasn't any money. He daren't work because he doesn't trust himself with the cash. We have ordered him straight up here and will get him somewhere to live and fund him so long as he is doing something useful.

I have read all the posts. Volunteering is a very good idea, I'll see if I can interest him in it. I also think it would be very good to study for Maths and English GCSEs, because he has a very good brain, if it's not too addled. I also think he would like to learn a language.

I checked out intuitive recovery, but there doesn't seem to be anything near us. I will search for similar schemes though.

I think teaching English abroad is what he has set his heart on. A clean break. I know from my own experience that it's easy enough to do, whatever your TEFL qualification or even if you don't have one, but they do need you to be personable, and that's a problem right now. He is a bit unwashed and wild.

I really appreciate all your advice.

For something low-commitment in the immediate term, how about stewarding or volunteer stewarding for outdoor events? Lots of festivals (like GDIF in London) recruit a lot of stewards, its a good way of meeting others, seeing a lot of interesting creative work, and is the type of commitment level that might be manageable at the moment.

You might get some advice from Cardboard Citizens. They are a company that mainly work with people at risk of homelessness, but as such have a LOT of experience at working with people who've gone a bit 'marginal' and need a way back in to the world of work.

I have friends who are ex addicts.
One is a bike courier, one is a GP.
A few work in music/on the road with bands.

Aw I read your other OP when you were asking for advice about withdrawals and the flight. I am so happy and heart warmed by the fact its all going so good atm.

Hi mamateur can I be nosey and ask for a link to your previous thread, sounds like an amazing story. Perhaps some language courses at home would be a good place to start, just basic Rossetta Stone stuff - a gentle beginning so he feels he's getting somewhere in the early stages

It's here Mumto.

THanks InNeed. We're keeping our fingers crossed!

I am working through all the ideas on this thread, and thinking what's available in this area. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.