Testimonials

When I got to Ark House I was and always had been an anxious, lost and frightened person.

I spent six months in the Ark, in that time the staff and the 12-step program changed my life. What I learned in there is priceless, it has saved my life and given me the tools to live 'life on life's terms'.

I still get 'gratitude rushes' when I think of where I was before Ark and where I am now. I have been home for nearly five weeks and am doing what was suggested. I am amazed. I never thought I could be grateful, happy or even just ok without using a substance. I am grateful, I am happy and I'm better than ok.

There is a solution.

Thank you to all staff at The Ark.

I spent 6 weeks in Ark House in January 2019 after 11 years trying to stay sober. Taking time out of life to concentrate on myself while working through the 12 steps with a counselor gave me a new way to live, think and act. Ark house, through the 12 steps gave me the spiritual tools I needed to live life one day at a time 🙏 I owe my life to this program.

Ark House was the turning point in my life as they planted the seed which enabled me to grow with living the 12 step program. The staff were always very supportive with all aspects of counselling covered and I am most grateful for being 13 months sober and getting my life back again.

I came to ARK HOUSE broken with no answers what so ever until a met the staff and the people in there who all had the same problem as me. I just didn’t know how to stop drinking or changing the way I felt about myself. Then a miracle happened as I was shown Love and compassion and taken through the 12 steps, the place itself had a certain hold on me and I just knew by being open minded to any options I was given I had a fighting chance at succeed recovering in a bridge to normal living I am currently six weeks away from being six years clean and sober and it is truly by the Grace of God that I arrived at ARK HOUSE and for that I am truly grateful.

My life is amazing thanks to the Ark. I’m working at the detox Centre which I've been in four times. And being paid! I can’t believe. And I love coming to work. just wanted to share it with you. And I thought I was doomed we can recover.

I turned up at the foot of the steps of ark house totally broken and shaking like a leaf out of apprehension the steps seemed like a mountain I didn’t think I'd be able to get up them then I saw a friendly face who helped me carry my suitcases up I thought she was staff but she was at ark herself I thought wow how’s she looking so well I thought then maybe there’s a chance for me too. I met the staff in the office and was shown to my room and introduced to other residents i was bricking myself and rattling all I wanted to do was sleep I was made to feel really welcome and found people that were going through the same as me I didn’t think I'd be able to do it through a few days in I looked at the window and made plans to escape tying bed sheets together through the window looking back I can see my mind wasn’t thinking straight as I could of walked out of the front door but I made the decision with support from others to take it a day at a time and see how it goes. Over time I built good friendships and they kept me going one advice helping another I ended up in hospital a few weeks in due to my body going into shock by doing things Elisha way and not doing the detox I should of done I found in hospital I wanted to be back with my friends and support from ark not do a runner the support from staff was great there was always someone there to lend an ear I didn’t always follow the rules as a good friend and worker said I maybe bent the rules a bit but ever broke them it was hard to work to rules and times I'd not had structure in my life for so long and I hated it at first but has stood me in good stead now for my fulltime job I needed picking up from the hell I was living in in Sheffield and drip feeding I needed to be away from all my outside influences of my past using acquaintances and learn a program of recovery and be surrounded by people that all wanted recovery it wasn’t always easy but I had good times laughed for real in the first time in years met wonderful lifelong friends and learnt to deal with my feelings without numbing them with alcohol and drugs before I went to ark I'd lost everything my job self respect family through the 6 months I was there I learnt to live life without drink and drugs sometimes feelings were raw but I learnt how to feel feelings and work through them .I owe ark house my life I know for a fact before I went into ark I was existing on borrowed time now I have a life back I have my wonderful kids and family back in my life and a roof over my head and a job as a support worker which makes me be able to be self-supporting at the same time as supporting people with mental health problems and disabilities if it had not been for going into Ark I would either be in prison or dead for sure but today I live a good life a day at a time.

Ark House gave me a new begining and a new life. One of the hardestthings was learning I was worth recovery, the staff at Ark House showed me love, compassion and empathy. Forever greatful for the gift of the 12 step program.

I came to Ark House in a last ditch attempt to save my life. I'd written my self off. The love, care, compassion and education provided by all the staff has left me stunned! My whole attitude and outlook on life has changed beyond recognition. I can never thank you enough.

I have just completed a 29 week stay at Ark House. I no longer recognise the broken women who walked up the steps of Ark House all those weeks ago. It is very difficult for me to put into words how greatful I am and how I feel now.

From the moment I walked into Ark House I felt safe, I felt cared for, listened too and loved for who i was. Through the tools been given to me and working a 12 step program I have simply been enabled to want to live again. I no longer feel lost or less than, I can now see the woman i can really be. My obsession for alcohol has left me, I have learned how to fight my alcoholism and equally important myself.

My name is Kris, I identify as Kris because my mum gave me that name, through my life I felt I had to identify as a certain somebody to fit in, be part of. In this I lost my truth. In my alcohol and drug addiction that lasted 20 plus years it allowed me to get out my head, this was a solution because that’s where my disease played out in my thinking. thanks to God and Ark House I have been able to find my truth and a peace of mind. I have been in 7 rehabs had 4 overdoses and could not admit to myself that there is a solution to all this without a substance in my body. after watching my Father, and friends die from drink and drugs I still could not stop. Today it’s about one thing Surrender, I no longer have to fight because I have got out the ring with this monster. I am open and willing to let God direct me on the path of faith. Just for today I identify myself as " Hi My name is Kris an alcoholic/addict"