For seven years I had been smoking crack. To fund this I ended up robbing off people I didn't really want to rob off. This resulted in me spending over 5 years of my life banged up in a prison cell. I thought it was all a laugh, but deep down I wasn't really laughing. I was actually sick to the stomach of it all.
I remember asking myself if I could really do rehab. I was dubious because I remember thinking that people who are not from my kind of background or neighbourhood would not be able to relate to me or my problems that I have been through. I was born of mixed race and always felt that my culture was misunderstood.
I decided to push through and give it a go,
and I am now glad that I did make the right
decision as people here can, and do, relate to
my problems. The friendships I have built
here have shown me that it doesn't matter
about my colour, it's about me as an
individual moving forward to a better future
that I have so long desired.
| The Ley Programme is deliberately highly structured. This provides a real sense of order for residents who have often been living chaotic lives. The programme depends on a rigid timetable and framework in which five features are interwoven: | |||
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The daily routine is strictly followed. This well-ordered and clearly defined structure provides a solid framework for the security of all residents. | ||
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Frequent and regular encounter groups provide opportunities to discuss day-to-day problems, and for the examination of behaviour, attitudes and values which have contributed to drug and alcohol misuse. The most effective way to deal with anti-social behaviour is challenge by the peer group. Under the guidance of experienced staff, some of whom will themselves have been through a rehabilitation programme, residents are encouraged to talk openly about their feelings, earlier experiences and fears, and confront their difficulties, with an overall emphasis on self and mutual help. Through this process, residents come to understand themselves better, gradually assume responsibility for themselves, and begin to establish trust in others. |  |
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Work revolves around the running of a large
community divided into various departments: kitchen, gardening and
maintenance, painting and decorating, and administration. It also
includes daily chores, such as bedmaking, and room and house keeping.
High standards are set in each department, and are maintained by
staff and residents.
"Salam".
My name is Mukhtar. I am of
Islamic faith and have been misusing drugs
for 11 years. Although my culture and
religion is different in many ways, my drug
problem and addiction isn't. My family tried
no end to help me, but couldn't understand
the route of my problems. At first, my drug
problem was contained within the family, due
to family pride and honour as we dealt with
our own problems. This didn't work. So I
needed help from somewhere I would be
understood. I got the help I needed when I
came to the Ley. I was helped to combat my
addiction and began to understand myself
much better, which in turn helped me to
rebuild and better myself. |
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The structure provides purpose and meaning to the notion of a resident’s career at the Ley Community. As he or she progresses, responsibilities grow accordingly with more senior residents supervising the work of junior residents, rising to become assistant managers and then managers of each department. At the top of the structure, the most senior resident acts as Co-ordinator and liaises between staff and residents. Promotion is awarded through both the work structure and the degree of personal progress achieved. | ||
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The programme depends on a balance between work, rest and play. Residents are encouraged to participate in a range of educational opportunities and recreational activities. The facilities at the Ley include a multi-sports pitch, swimming pool and games room, and a small holding with a variety of animals which residents look after. Evening activities include yoga, literacy classes and a range of therapeutic games. |  |
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