"I have been involved with SMART for nearly four years - my first contact was when I attended SMART's Access 2* educational programme. This accredited course is set up for ex-drug users who want to develop learning skills. For someone whose classroom experiences were a dim and distant memory, this seemed like an exciting opportunity for me.
Having enjoyed the course, I wanted to stay involved with SMART, even though I had a full-time job. I decided to join SMART's volunteer mentoring scheme. After some training I got the chance to work directly with clients using my experiences to help and guide them. Every bit of free time which I had was taken up with volunteering supporting clients, helping SMART staff.
Looking back now I guess it was a bit like an apprenticeship, as not long after I eventually got a trainee position as a SMART Drug Interventions Programme worker. I worked in this area for eighteen months, before moving into aftercare.
I now work as a Case manager helping clients, who have come off drugs, to seek new directions and opportunities. I find this role very inspiring.
I still have the same energy and enthusiasm I had when I joined SMART's educational programme and I even fit in time to pursue other goals, one of which includes working voluntarily on community issues.
My own professional and academic journey with SMART has given me great confidence, and I really do see SMART as a place "where things happen".
* - Access 2 has been replaced with the Portal Programme