Leigh lost a lot to addiction, but he’s getting it back with brighter days ahead.

Leigh, 38, is a support worker in Bunbury in south-western WA. He is completing a traineeship in   Certificate III in Community Services for not-for-profit organisation Doors Wide Open, which provides support for people dealing with the fall-out of addiction.

He considers himself extremely fortunate to have emerged from the darkest period of his life and now uses that experience to help others.

After eight months of rehab and being clean for more than three years, Leigh has become a guiding light for others – with an “office” in the streets of Bunbury where he often slept rough during those missing years.

“(In this job) I see of lot of the things that I went through… it’s hard and it’s heart-breaking.”

Now Leigh is rebuilding the relationships that are most important to him. He remains inspired by his children and says, “I just want to be a present Dad.”

As well as helping others, Leigh is also helping himself. He says doing a traineeship is another positive building block in the foundation to a better future. He has thrown himself into work and his Community Services traineeship is helping him to navigate the more technical aspects of his job.

Next up for Leigh, he’s working towards saving for a deposit to put down on a house for himself and his family in 2024.