“I was drug-free before coming to Spring Street. I’ve had two challenging times in my life when I turned to drugs. The first was when I was 18. I was using survival tactics to buy more drugs and ended up in a young offenders’ institute.
The second time was seven years ago, after my divorce. I had a good life—my own business, a big house, sports cars, holidays with my wife and daughters. Losing all of that, especially my relationship with my kids, broke me. I didn’t know how to handle it, so I went into self-destruct mode. That’s when I started using again.
“In 2022, I hit a point where I thought, ‘Enough is enough.’ I checked myself into Betel, a Christian rehab in Derby. I got clean, healthy, and found faith. I also realised what I really wanted to do was help people. After rehab, I moved back to Huddersfield, hoping to get my life back on track. But things didn’t go as planned. I fell back in with old friends, and before I knew it, I was arrested for something I didn’t do. My friend and I spent six months in prison waiting for trial. While we were inside, I focused on supporting him. I helped him get off drugs, and in the process, I became someone other inmates turned to for advice. It gave me a real sense of purpose.”
In March 2023, Peter was found not guilty and released, but life outside wasn’t easy. With nowhere to go, he was referred to Spring Street in April 2024.
“At first, I thought, ‘I shouldn’t be here. I’m in a good place now.’ But after a couple of months, my mindset changed. The staff and other tenants became like family. I started making planters and benches for the garden, which got compliments from the neighbours. That felt good; it felt like I was giving something back.”
Peter also got involved in peer mentoring, taking courses in counselling and support work. His natural ability to connect with people stood out, and he even became the face of Kirklees Better Outcomes Partnership’s peer mentoring programme.
“I’ve always been the person people come to for advice, so it made sense to make it official. Now, I’m an ‘uncle’ figure to a lot of the guys here. They talk to me when they’re struggling, and I help them through it. I know what they’re going through because I’ve been there myself.”
Recently, Peter landed a job as an apprentice probation officer, a role that brings together everything he’s worked towards.
“This job means everything to me. It’s proof of how far I’ve come. I want to be the kind of probation officer that makes a difference, that really listens and helps people see a better future for themselves.”
With work going well, Peter is turning his focus to his personal life. His 19-year-old daughter recently reached out to him on TikTok, opening the door for them to reconnect.
“That message meant everything. It’s a small step, but it’s a start. I want to rebuild my relationship with my daughters and my family. They’re starting to see how much I’ve changed and how hard I’m trying.”
He’s also been writing a journal about his time in prison, which he’s shared with Change Grow Live, a drug recovery service.
“I wrote it to tell my side of the story, but also to help others. If it can give even one person hope, then it’s worth it.”
Peter’s journey isn’t perfect, and he doesn’t claim to have all the answers. But what’s clear is that he’s moving forward, one step at a time, and making a real difference along the way.
With big love, from big, lovely Pete
