Case Study

Before engaging with Access to Industry, I had a very fixed mindset and was struggling with mental health and addiction. I was very closed off and had significant trust issues. I didn’t think I could learn anything new. Initially, I was hoping to update the trade certificates I had before, like CSCS and similar.

I don’t know how to explain it… It feels like everything has changed. I’m on a different path because I gained confidence, self-assurance, ability to trust people and express my thoughts. I started looking beyond my initial plans and expanded my horizons.

I’m now about to do another year of college and feel like I’m on a path to a whole new career. At Access to Industry’s 2025 Certificate Ceremony (pictured), I was able to speak in front of a crowd of people which would’ve never been possible before. The experience with Access to Industry has been as important for me as my recovery.

My caseworker listened to my ideas and was very supportive of them, but he also showed me more options and made me believe that other things were possible. I always felt 100% supported and like someone believed in me.

During my time with Access to Industry, I have completed: REHIS Food Hygiene; ICT (level 4 and 5); Routes to Working with Communities; as well as volunteering with the Scottish Stonemasons’ Marks Project; attending a Business Gateway information session; and completing the Midlothian and East Lothian Summer Programme in both 2024 and 2025.

In the future I hope to have a career that I enjoy, that will allow me to help people similar to myself. I’m about to go to college and have hopes of getting a degree later. I’m thinking about Criminology or Psychology.

More information on our Midlothian and East Lothian Recovery Service can be found here.