14 April 2025
Rotherham volunteer Darren Fox has won the Determined Volunteer Award from drug and alcohol charity WithYou for his work supporting others following his own recovery from issues with alcohol.
Darren received numerous nominations for his inspiring work at Rotherham Alcohol and Drug Support (ROADS) including from recovery worker Lucy Boyes, who said:
Darren has consistently shown willingness to provide his support, knowledge, experience and compassion to both the clients and the staff. Clients have reported that they felt understood and inspired by Darren’s determination, dedication and his person-centred approach. His determination is inspiring to not only the clients, but also to the staff at Rotherham, as he demonstrates a passion and commitment to the role.
Lucy Boyes, Recovery Worker
Rotherham Alcohol and Drug Service (provided by WithYou) provides free and confidential services, without judgement, to adults and young people facing challenges with drugs and alcohol across Rotherham.
I am delighted to receive this award. I would recommend volunteering 100%. It keeps me on the straight and narrow. It not only allows me to give back because I can help new cohorts due to my lived experience, it also keeps me personally focussed. I find it extremely rewarding and I’m totally enjoying what I’m doing.
Darren
“The staff at WithYou in Rotherham are fantastic and supportive. They’re always willing to help and explain things. They make me feel valuable and that my experience and input counts.”
WithYou’s next volunteer awards will take place during Volunteers’ Week 2025, Monday 2nd - Sunday 8th June. These annual awards, delivered in collaboration with the Marsh Charitable Trust, offer colleagues, volunteers and clients the opportunity to recognise volunteers like Darren, who live WithYou’s values.
For anyone experiencing issues with drugs or alcohol, ROADS (provided by WithYou) can connect you with others and provide friendly, expert help. Whether you need advice for yourself, or to support a loved one, they work with you, side by side, to make sure you get the right support. Teams work out in the local community - so regardless of where you live, you can access the support you need. If you’re looking for support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Drop into Carnson House, 1 Moorgate Road, Rotherham, S60 2EN or call 0808 1753981.
Darren’s story
“I was referred to WithYou through my GP who knew I had a problem. It was mainly alcohol, but I did a few recreational drugs as well.
“I worked on a reduction plan first and then I went to a residential detox in Doncaster for 10 days. That went really well and after a couple of months I got back in touch with WithYou and started to attend the drugs sessions. I went to as many sessions and groups as I could as I found them really helpful.
“I then started to volunteer at WithYou. I did training and got my DBS check through and I’ve now been volunteering since May 2024.
“My role involves lots of things and is really varied. I support the Resilience Group on Mondays which has about 10-16 people attending, looking at triggers and how not to give in to temptation. I run a walking group and a snooker group on Wednesdays and the MAP group on Fridays. This is all about building up people’s resilience, goal setting, and finding your own recovery pathway. There’s a different subject each week. It usually starts with introductions and a welfare check in round the group. We work through any issues together and help where we can.
“I’m also on the new volunteers board and help with recruitment including doing interviews.
“I created a WhatsApp group for clients to reach out and chat to each other, giving support on all sorts of things.
“Other things I do include: dry blood spot testing, helping with the needle exchange, helping on urine screening, helping going drug and alcohol testing, supporting people going to residential detox, and support with assessments.
“The snooker group on Wednesdays involves taking around 8 people to Snooker for All. It lets people get away from normality for a few hours and takes them completely away from thinking about drugs and alcohol or talking about drugs and alcohol. Lee who runs Snooker for All also gives coaching sessions to them all.
“People who are attending groups regularly are starting to come into volunteering and I also support them through that.
“It’s very isolating coming through addiction and the groups are so helpful. It really feels like I’m helping.
“The key question I ask everyone is what have you done today that takes courage and people mostly say nothing. So I always say you walked through that door. That takes courage.”
