STAR Project Ballymun

The Easy Street Team has helped me in many ways in times of Crisis. I have had so much education and enlightenment due to the direct work with the easy street team, I had used substance as a way of coping with trauma for most of my life and working with the easy street team made me realise that that’s actually what I was doing, having continuous support showing up to one to one’s weekly I was able to reduce my use while learning how I felt about the substance how it was making me feel, that I was indeed making a choice and surrendering to my choices, I learned that I used at a time of Crisis in my life and that time had passed I could let go. This has had a huge impact as once you’ve learned something it can’t be unthought, with support, guidance, empathy, care and time, the easy street team has helped me see my potential along this journey.

I was homeless and hopeless felt I had no place to turn, as someone with additional learning needs I find it very overwhelming to Fill in forms, to follow up with enquiries, I felt my life would never be stable and I would always feel that way, i asked for help from the easy street team as I know them from working in the community and have built trust over time, when i asked for help I was immediately relieved as i was no longer on my own in the situation, I had help with all forms an phone calls in regards to housing and a member of the outreach team came to all viewings with me, without this help I don’t know how I could have got out of the situation I was in, i was then helped with all other information and applying for grants to be able to afford the basic needs for a home, I will be forever grateful for this amazing service,

My biggest fear of coming into STAR services would be that I was judged by my mental health label. STAR doesn't deal in labels it deals with the humanity of the individual. The whole experience has enriched my knowledge of my relationship with my substances and lead me to a better knowledge of myself. The team in STAR have years of experience and this shows in their work.

My time in STAR gave me the tools and coping skills for handling stress without using a substance. I got to untangle my substance use from my trauma and work on them separately so I didn’t feel overwhelmed

I can’t thank Linda and Louise enough in Family Support and all the staff in the Star, they are just truly amazing people, they are the shining light of hope for families from all walks of life and in Ballymun and even other parts of Dublin. They wrapped their supportive arms around me and held me with so much support to help me through my son’s addiction and they continue to hold that support around me. I am so grateful and thankful to have this circle around me.