If my ship sails from sight, It doesn't mean my journey ends, It simply means the river bends.

The Road Less Travelled becomes a River Odyssey....

So the journey takes another turn and off I go on another adventure, swapping Scotland's East for it's West coast, Ayrshire to be exact. It is with excitement, trepidation and nervous energy that I set forth on the next section of life's journey with a handy little companion  in my rucksack, hope.

Over the past three years, or the three years I have actually accepted it, I've struggled badly with alcoholism and the resulting impact it's had over my mental health. The consequences have been upsetting and troubling, not just for me but for my friends and loved ones. It's well past time for this to be sorted out so a new and radical approach is needed. I won't take credit for this new angle of attack and in fact it is my sister Alice who must take that award, having done the research for me. 

I've packed up holdall and rucksack and on Wednesday 24th July I will travel to Ayrshire to start my new life and journey towards recovery. I am moving to the first recovery community of it's kind in Scotland, a peaceful yet awe inspiring place called River Garden. This is not a rehab centre and those staying there don't sit around in groups discussing their issues with Counsellors. This is a places where you go to work, build your skills, whilst also building relationships with those around you.  

Here's how they describe themselves:

River Garden Auchincruive opened in March 2018. It will be a residential training and social enterprise development centre for people in the early stages of recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction modelled on the three most successful and transformative self-help organisations for people in recovery across the globe: San Patrignano (Italy), Basta(Sweden) and Delancey Street (USA), which have been producing successful results helping people into long-term recovery, reintegrating into employment and mainstream society (70%-80%). 

The programme lasts for three years (eek), with a three month introductory period. After a year an a half, successful residents will then become fully employed by the project and can either live on site or live elsewhere and travel to work. In the initial year especially trips away from the centre are supervised (so there are no cheeky trips to the off license!) and all staff and residents work together to build an atmosphere of trust and honesty. Here's a video shown recently on BBC News with one of the current residents.

Looks good huh? But why am I posting this all over social media?!My reasons are less virtuous than you might think! Rather than extol the virtues of River Garden (for which there are many), it's more to do with the fact I will be off the radar for some time. For the first three months I will have no mobile phone and very limited access to the internet. Scary as it might be, the practice of digital detox is actually very healthy and in a way I'm glad as I can just focus on my recovery and getting stuck in with some hard work. I will be able to check emails at specified times so if you're yearning to get in touch (I'm sure there will no doubt be a stampede haha) then feel free to drop me an email: owenrobertswork@gmail.com.

I also have an epic list of friends and family who I intend to write to once I've settled. So if I ask for your address don't worry I'm not stalking you! It's always nice to get a personal letter rather than the usual drudge of bills and official stuff. I'm also going to take the opportunity whilst there to keep writing, I've even started my life story which may take some time! Writing is something that helps with recovery. Taking all the garbled nonsense in my head and getting it down on paper brings clarity and helps you to reflect.

Anyway, that's pretty much it! I'm off to work on my recovery and to try and become the person I want to, and know I can be. Without the spectre of alcohol and poor mental health hanging around and spoiling things. In the interim much love to all those who take the time to read this and all those who don't as well. 

Roberts signing off (for now...)

Peace. 

XXX