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Steve Heppinstall: Start Again

Steve Heppinstall recounts the transformation in his life after recovering from heroin addiction. Steve attended our Rotherham Flourish course run by Connected Worlds.

strawberries

Hi everyone. My name is Steve Heppinstall. I am an ex-heroin addict who has been clean for nearly 3 years now. I have been attending Rotherham Flourish courses and enjoy creative writing. Over the past year I’ve been working on my friend’s allotment which has really helped my mental health and inspired this piece of writing. I hope you like it.

I want to tell you that it’s hard trying to start again

but it’s worth it in the long run.

I started taking heroin when I was 19

To be one of the lads and part of the scene

But I started a new page. A new chapter where things are fresh,

not living the same old life.

A new dance to a different beat in a new venue.

Like the first cup of hot coffee in the morning

and the last cold beer at night.

I want to tell you

Now I am happy and free like a rabbit in a field of flowers,

 a mix of colours and sounds

and there is nothing like the taste of fresh strawberries

When you grow them yourself.

That light up the world around you

 like a big disco ball in the sky

 throwing up patterns and shapes

 that colours in your life

and you light up the future in front of you

 illuminating your path.

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