A DEDICATED volunteer worker for The Well Community CIC was named as the group's employee of the month of April, after turning his life around and using his experience to help others.
Kendal's Lee Atkinson, 42, has been putting in the hours for The Well's Communities group, the Barrow's based charity hub since October 2020.
In April he was named as its top employee for his hard work and selfless effort.
After overcoming addiction, himself, Lee decided to work with the non-profit community interest company, which was founded in 2012, in order to pass on his unique lived experience to help others in the community struggling with addiction and isolation.
Lee said: "My life was one where I was trapped in fear, and it was The Well that opened those doors for me. Now I want to do that for other people.
"I've been employed at The Well since October 5, last year, and I've absolutely loved it. It's my first proper job that I've really been able to throw myself into.
CHARITY: The Well’s food hub where Lee has volunteered his time
"I want to give it my all and I love it.
"I started out as a volunteer before Ged Pickersgill opened doors for me. I began volunteering in the shop, we did some stock collecting and working round the homes.
"It really lit a fire in my belly and I wanted to keep going.
"They then asked if I'd like to take on a part time position of employment as an outreach worker. I've worked here and there, everywhere really.
"It's a flexible job and I like to give things go.
"Before The Well was catastrophic. I was living on the margins of society. I got mixed up with the wrong people at a young age. This led to a life of drugs.
"But I was able to benefit from this. I used my lived experience to turn the negatives of the past into the positives of today. I used my experience to help others avoid it.
"I'm a big believer in wellbeing and community spirit. It's more than getting off drink and drugs, it's about making a bridge to normal living.
"My personal message would be one of hope. If I can turn my life around anyone can. There is help out there and there are people willing to help.
The volunteers at The Well do it because they genuinely want to. It's more than a job."
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