Respite House Helped Me Re-discover Myself
The NOVAS House for me is truly a blessing, I found warmth, kindness, understanding, comfort and eventually I found a sense of myself. A place I could be free from stress, family outbursts, the turmoil of everyday problems which addiction brought to my home.
I was referred from a family group and my first thoughts were “What would I be doing there?” But my thoughts soon changed. My first visit I remember well. A lady called Martina met me and I got transport straight to the house which was one strain off me as I was unemployed and money was a problem. It was strange, an empty house, but Martina made me so welcome I could feel the peace the minute I walked in. We talked for a while, she got to know me and I her, it’s a place I could laugh, I could cry and someone would listen and it was safe. My home was hostile and stress had taken over so just to come to the house and feel normal was a huge bonus and if you know addiction you understand why. The highlight there was also treatments that were offered to us like Reiki, massage and others, which I always got great results from. It was like a block had been lifted from my head, I learnt to relax, when I left after my day I always felt good, my mind and body felt clear and ready to face my home, my family, my thoughts were clear. It was like my new strength was back to be part of the family unit again, when I felt good all aspects at home would improve, my inner self felt good so all around me got the benefit too.
I’ve been coming for a while now and I wouldn’t miss it. I’ve come a long way with their help, I’ve learned to stand on my own two feet and started to open up and attend courses, family days out, and without fear. I’ve learned to attend places and groups on my own, which would have been a big task before. By being in NOVAS House I’ve found a strength I didn’t think I had, but I found it there in the house. By all the goodness in the house I’ve found strengths in myself. I’m not the person I was: isolated, alone, nowhere to turn. I’ve also done some counselling classes which truly benefited me. The NOVAS House told me of these services and it all helped, so the NOVAS House is a place I truly believe gave me back my life which was bogged down with problems which I thought had no way out. I’ve also met other people at the house like me and it is nice. When we talk we find we’re not alone, no family is alone, we share thoughts and chats. It is a fantastic place, I hope it never closes.
The house is there for people like me who despair, who feel like there’s nowhere to turn. I’m proud of myself today, I’ve learned to cope, my home is happy most of the time, I’ve found Me again, a woman who can be happy and who has the strength no matter what life throws at me. I thank Martina for her kindness, her ability to help me find myself, her understanding, the time she gives just to care, it’s great. Yes, the NOVAS House is a blessing, it’s changed my life, my whole well-being. I thank God for this house, I love when it’s time to return. Where would I go if the house wasn’t there, who would want to listen, who would care. God knows where I would be today if I had not known about the NOVAS House, I think my family chain would have been broken, and myself lonely and isolated in my own little world.