Testimonials
Anonymous
“I have visited Free the Way a few times now. I am a heroin addict with no family or support. I am very grateful to the staff because they are friendly to me. With their dedication they provide a safe environment for me and others to start and find the right help to get clean and sort out my housing because it’s hard to sort things out with no support. Fee The way is a big help.”
Quote from our local Community Police Officer
“Free The Way has had a direct positive influence on local crime figures. We have seen a significant drop in shop lifting in Church Street, Seaham by around 90%”
Anonymous
“It has been a few weeks now I have been coming to the Centre, it is the best thing around here is a very long time. I come down most mornings and have breakfast and clean up, if I have had a rough night then I have a shower and feel like a new person. I now have a social worker for rehab and accommodation. She is going to find out how long it is going to take before I get on the meth. I hope I will be sorted in a few weeks as I am running out of time. I need my life back on track.”
Anonymous
“Had to sleep rough last night as I had nowhere to go AGAIN but all is well as we have Free the Way to rely on. Food, coffee, wash, shave and keep warm all thanks to the lasses who run this place. TOP ONE!”
Anonymous
“5 star all round this is the answer to helping the people and giving them hope for the future! Many Blessings”
Councillor C.A. Walker D-OE Mayor of Seaham
“Thank you for having us from the Helen Group. I think this is a wonderful place, very inspiring and we admire you all the best for the future. I hope that in time we can achieve this for our group.”
Lana and Anne
“Well it’s another day of being on the streets and I came down Free the Way for a coffee and to warm me up. A big thanks to the lasses here that have time for us as not many people do – thanks for everything they have done for me. I’m looking forward to Christmas as my mam said if I keep taking my methadone, coming to the centre and stay off the heroin I can go home for Christmas but there is still 4 months left. Another good thing is the shower as last night I slept in the rain and was soaking wet this morning so I went down the Centre and had a shower and some clean clothes! My mam is the most important person in my life so I need to stick to what I’m doing or I’m going to lose all my family. All I want is sit round the table with my family at Christmas and have my dinner, pull poppers and crackers. So my ambition is to stop clean and keep coming to the centre then I will have my family half on my side. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks”
Anonymous
“Have been in to see around and everything is really great. They are all doing a first class job!”
Councillor Joan Walker. Mayoress of Seaham
“I’ve visited Free the Way for the meeting tonight and I think what you are doing is like a flame in the darkness! An inspiration!!! Well done for everything you’ve done up to now – KEEP STRONG & KEEP TOGETHER – you’re a bunch of stars.”
Colin. Family Support Worker Middlesbrough & Redcar
“I am an I.V. heroin user and homeless to boot, I have no support from my family anymore so having a friendly face to talk to is a big relief. I’ve only been coming to the centre for a few weeks but already the ladies have helped me find some new clothes so I could start work. They have tried really hard to help me find somewhere to live. I know I am always welcome for a cuppa and chat. With me being homeless I come here for food if I’m hungry, a shower when I’m dirty and a chat when I’m down. Me and the other lads really think Free the Way is a great help and we would struggle without it a lot more. The ladies here make life a little more bearable and I personally would have given in and turned to crime to survive if it wasn’t for the help they offer.”
Anonymous
“After living with my son who was a heroin addict for tow and half years I felt I had no-where to go or no-one to help me. I saw a notice in the paper, which said if you are living with someone with an addiction to come along to a Free the Way meeting. I went along with other parents and carers. Free The Way helped me and has always been there for me in times of despair. My son has now been clean for two years.”
