Connie's Story

From homelessness to alternative therapist

Connie was awarded £1750 for her first award and a further £4500 to get her business off the ground with a Second Award.

Childhood problems
Connie’s troubles began with a very difficult childhood. She had grown up struggling with eating disorders and depression resulting in her being on medication since her teenage years.

As a form of escapism Connie started partying hard and subsequently began abusing her alcohol and drug addiction further and then self-harming. As this affected both her mental and physical wellbeing Connie eventually had to leave her job.

Homelessness
Things just went from bad to worse and Connie ended up going into hospital for treatment but nothing seemed to improve her condition. At this stage she didn’t have anywhere to live and became homeless.

Connie then spent some time living rough in unpleasant shelters. ‘It was horrendous. It was frightening. You’re living on the edge and walking on egg shells.’

Connie decided she needed a new start and moved to Bristol and she met then her Support Worker Diana who really helped her really get her confidence back.

New start
After talking through her options, Connie felt that she would really like to re-train in acupuncture and other holistic practises and she applied to Crisis for funding to train.

Connie feels that receiving the award was the catalyst she needed to change her life, ‘I was gob smacked when I got it. I thought if I can do this I can do anything.’ Connie was so pleased that she felt that she had been given a chance. ‘I felt accepted and it gave me confidence.’

Receiving the award
With the help of the money she received from Changing Lives – Connie completed her Acupuncture courses and an Indian Head Massage course and was able to buy the equipment she needed. Connie wanted to learn more complimentary techniques and went on to receive a Second Award totalling £4500 for further training and equipment.

Connie has found premises to rent for her business and hopes to start shortly so she can officially start practising on clients. She has also started thinking about marketing and advertising the new business and is channelling all her energies into moving things forward.