Lee started working for Printed by Us in 2019. In this blog is a conversation between him and Chris, all about his journey and reflection on key moments through his recovery.
I first started around 2015 as an external volunteer. I'd heard about Archer Project and it seemed like it was exactly what I needed at that point in my life, which was to solve the problem of being me. I knew that the best thing at the time was to be of service to others, as that would help me as well as the people I was supporting.
Honestly I struggle to remember exactly how I first heard of Archer Project, it was something that was often mentioned in certain circles and through the grapevine as it's known for being the place you go to for help.
After a few years of volunteering at Archer Project, in 2018, Terry, our manager at Printed by Us mentioned the prospect of paid work being available for me. It was an interesting idea, and has ended up being a great journey but felt like quite a natural one. One thing I do know is I couldn't have done it without the help and support of certain people who were there for me. My path has now come full circle and it's really lovely to be in a position to offer that same support to others. If I'm honest I felt a bit scared and apprehensive at first but I knew it was something that I had to do for my own growth. I work in the shop as a retail assistant which has been of massive help to me on my own personal journey. It's the little things for me. For example, I still find it surreal and amazing that I have a key to the shop and open and close on my own, which alone has brought me a huge boost to my self esteem and given me a sense of responsibility. For the first time I felt a part of something and not apart from something.
My most memorable moment of working at Printed by Us is just being able to interact with funny and quirky people in our shop every day. In Archer Project too! Every day is different and you meet so many interesting people. Just the other day I sold a t-shirt to the drummer of Supergrass and he invited me to the concert! It's been an overall positive and very memorable experience for me.
Right now, I am working as a peer mentor at Archer Project, which I absolutely love. I did the training with my colleague Chris last year. One thing I have never been very good at is planning and looking into the future, but I’m trying my best to learn how to do it! I live very much in the now which I realise can have its downsides, but to put it simply I am just very grateful to be here in the now .
Now I look back, if I had never been a part of Archer Project, to be completely honest, I would be dead, very unwell or in an old person's home. The very best result would be prison.
Co Written by Chris Lynam, Lee & Evie Concannon
