An inspirational St Helens volunteer, who lost her own partner to substance use, is in the running for a top award.

Sue Smith has been shortlisted for a prestigious Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care (WAGS) award.

With nearly a decade of dedicated volunteering at St Helen’s Family Support, formerly known as Footsteps, Sue’s remarkable journey highlights her unwavering commitment to helping others navigate the challenges of substance use within their families.

Sue first turned to St Helen’s Family Support, which is operated by health and social care charity Making Space, when her partner fell seriously ill due to complications from alcohol use.

Following his passing, Sue credits the service’s support as “an absolute lifesaver” during her grief.

Determined to give back, Sue began volunteering to help others benefit from her knowledge and understanding. Based at the Peter Street Community Centre, she continues to dedicate her time to supporting families affected by substance use, sharing her personal experiences to bring hope and guidance.

Nearly 10 years later, Sue remains a steadfast volunteer, using her insight and resilience to inspire and assist others, despite the lasting impact of her own traumatic experiences.

Sue said: “When you have a loved one who is struggling with substance use, you think you can’t get off the treadmill because it doesn’t matter what you say or do. It’s such a private issue and like a dirty secret. So to find other people who are going through the same thing and want to listen to you and support you is life changing.

"If you lose someone to substance use, there’s a process that you’re expected to follow and then move on, but it’s really important for people to know that you never really leave your loved ones and those experiences behind. You might feel you’re doing fine but it affects you and it carries on affecting you.

“It’s really important to me to be able to acknowledge that and talk about it. By volunteering I know that other people have the opportunity to talk about what they’re going through with someone who has lived experience of it. I know I’m giving people who need it somewhere to go where they can feel safe, supported and understood.”

Tony Murphy, support worker at St Helens Family Support, which is supported and commissioned by St Helens Council, said: "Sue told me when she first considered volunteering that she 'wanted to give something back' and she certainly has. She has made a positive difference in many people's lives.

"Through her lived experience she offers empathy and compassion and she is a tireless supporter of our service. I greatly admire her and she thoroughly deserves this recognition."

Keri Smith, associate director, Making Space, said: "Sue embodies one of our key values here at Making Space - that of kind hearts.

"Caring about people is fundamental to providing excellence in social care, and it is Sue's kindness and ability to listen in a non-judgemental way that makes her such a special and effective volunteer. We are all rooting for her to win."

Lynn Mulhaney, a lifelong support worker from Knowsley Support Housing, another Making Space service, is also in the running for a WAGS award - for lifetime achievement.

Sue and Lynn will find out whether they have won at a gala dinner at the London Hilton Bankside Hotel with Baroness Floella Benjamin on Thursday 28 November 2024.

St Helen's Family Support can help in a number of ways, including peer support groups, one-to-one support, wellbeing programmes, respite opportunities, home visit and signposting and liaison with other services.

You can contact St Helen's Family Support on T: 01744 808 212 or at Tony.Murphy@makingspace.co.uk