Paul started working for Printed by Us mid 2023. In this blog is a conversation between him and Chris, all about his journey and reflection on key moments through his recovery.
I started at Printed by Us a couple of years ago now, after originally asking Terry, our director, if I could start paid hours with Just Clean, our sister enterprise, and was accepted. After cleaning for a few months, I was offered some hours in the Printed by Us shop, which I eagerly took on! Now I split my time between both enterprises, and will often be one of the go-to guys for covering shifts, which I happily do.
I originally heard of Archer Project back in 2019 and then began using the service. I ended up homeless for about four months after going through a divorce. Being homeless made me take a step back and think, where am I going and what am I doing? During this time, I felt really low and honestly suicidal after loosing my kids and home. Then, someone close to me told me to keep going and things will get better. One day, I enquired with the police, “I’m homeless, what do I do?” and they recommended Archer Project. I came to use the facilities, such as a shower and a warm meal, and found that I actually enjoyed being there! But at the end of the day, I hated walking back “Home”, which at that time was the bridge I slept underneath.
After a while of using Archer Project, I began volunteering in the kitchen and donation hall. This was alongside my sessions with a support worker, but because I had not become dependent on any substances I was lucky to not require as much treatment or stabilisation as others. I knew I wanted something more in life and Archer Project was playing such a huge part in that. Then, as the pandemic got worse I was there nearly 7 days a week just me and a couple of others, including Terry & Tim, Archer Project’s CEO. I handed out food packets every day to help other people who had been in the same situation as me. Volunteering really changed my view on things and gave me the confidence to get back into work, hence applying for Archer Project Enterprises.
My most memorable moment working at Printed by Us was definitely my first sale! I hadn't even been working at the shop for very long when I did a £300 sale! It felt amazing, like I was giving something back to the community. To this day I still love working in the shop and talking to all of our customers about what we do and my part in it.
Now I am able to start thinking more about my future. I'm going to be attending Northern College to study psychology and I'm really looking forward to it. I have always been fascinated with how the human mind works, and this has only grown since I started going to Archer Project. This was with the help of Sian my managerand spending time looking at available options for learning. My favourite TV show is Criminal Minds which has made me want to do it even more! I have also begun to slowly rebuild some relationships and I am back in contact with my 19 and 14 year old daughters.
I really want to continue with my studies in psychology. My dream job is to be a forensic psychologist, to understand more about why people behave and think the way they do. Volunteering and working in Archer Project, Printed by Us & Just Clean has definitely given me a better understanding that I want to build upon.
Now I look back I actually dread to think what I would have done without both the charity and social enterprise. I was so low after losing my kids and home that I felt suicidal and I really came close to acting on it. I'm so glad I didn't, as now my kids are back in my life and I'm much happier. I'm really sure that Archer Project and the opportunities I've been given through their support continues to be a big part of it.
Co Written by Chris Lynam, Paul & Evie Concannon.
