GO FUND ME to secure CHARITY venue

Life can be cruel and tough. I experienced pain and trauma during my childhood and faced lots of childhood adversities. At the age of 12 years, I was already involved in petty theft. Struggles led me into offending behaviour and a life of criminality, from attendance centres, placed in children`s homes, detention centres, young offenders and then prison. My life was chaotic and filled with trauma.

An unrecognised diagnosis of ADHD I was just the “naughty kid”. I wanted to be loved and supported - and this was lacking in all my adult peer connections. I was the “lost kid” - and instead of adults helping and supporting me – they gave punitive measures instead. I just wanted to “fit in” – so developed an unhealthy pattern of fighting my way through my childhood in a search “to be loved and wanted”.

It was only a matter of time before drugs crept into the only worldview I had and knew. At the age of 12 starting on solvents, then progressed in time through cannabis and any drug available leading me into heroin and crack cocaine– the drugs made me feel warm and wanted and they falsely “loved me”. 10 years a whole decade of a false love a want that controlled me. My level of violence escalated into a gang culture where I felt a sense of belonging. I moved from a user to a dealer to an importer, and numerous prison sentences followed.

My final jail sentence for the importation of drugs made a difference, it challenged me. Heroin and crack had taken my spirit and my fight – it was winning. It took me to a dark place of considering suicide. I had found “rock bottom”. My world taught me that you could not ask for help as this was weak. I was a “bad boy” – I had a reputation to uphold.

An individual (TH) reached out; I took that “First Step” Without this help I would probably not be here writing this now. A year of rehabilitation was needed to start me on my journey of recovery and help to retrain my brain. I was the lucky one, funding was available at this time. I started to learn new behaviours and learn how to be a member of society with new thoughts. I turned my fight into resilience and empowerment to change my life. I started to learn new skills that were "a given" for people – nothing is a given – but I worked hard to change. I was given that chance.

Since starting my recovery journey which I have been on for 26 years drug and alcohol-free. I have worked as a Drug and Alcohol Worker, Tenancy Support Worker and Youth Mentor. Working with drug users, offenders, homeless, high-risk offenders, vulnerable individuals with mental health conditions and teenagers.

I am now 26 years clean. I, therefore, want to set up a charity - to help individuals who come from a life of chaotic trauma, criminality, mental health issues, homelessness and drug/alcohol addiction. My charity will aim to offer facilities to empower individuals to have someone whom they can reach out to, use free gym facilities, (hot drink) mentor support and find their skill sets in a warm loving environment. No one tried to look for my skill set when I was involved in a world of crime and drugs. I want to find theirs, give them their “First Step”, and build their resilience to a place of abstinence and love. Everyone deserves this opportunity to feel wanted and loved and a chance to turn their life around – just like me. I want to create a magical warming place that can be safe and inviting. Everyone has a strength; I want to help them shine in their being. Creating a space to be a professional mentor to advocate and show individuals a different direction, to end their suffering and walk the journey with them.

I cannot do this without your help. I have the passion, the skills, and the determination to help individuals who just like me got a helping hand and a “first step” in a life of empowerment and resilience – please donate as much as you can to help me raise enough funds to be able to cover the cost of a venue. I will be doing this in my spare time evenings and weekends to help get this off the ground. Please support me where you can.

Thank you for reading and taking the time.

You can also donate direct to the bank account First Direct - Sort Code: 40-47-67 - Account Number: 30590266 - Name: Mr J Moore