WE ARE OFFICIALLY A CHARITY!!!!
Woah! Deep breaths, Faye. I found out yesterday afternoon from our lawyers that Untoxicated is officially a charity and I have pretty much not stopped sobbing. And laughing and being on cloud nine and allllll the emotions. I immediately hopped on and shared this video in our support group.
I started Untoxicated because it was what I needed and it just kinda exploded. The need was absolutely there, and bloody everywhere.
After decades of alcohol abuse, I knew it was going to require a pretty major change in lifestyle to stay sober and I wanted to pay it forward and help others do the same.
Connection and belonging are so important to us as humans, particularly at a time when we are at our most vulnerable and our old networks may be slipping away from us, as people often find is the case when they stop or try to stop boozing.
I'm not going to lie, this has been a long, hard journey. I have been working full time on Untoxicated alongside full time paid work. At times I have almost fallen over myself and wondered how much longer I could do it. Last year I almost completely burnt myself out.
But, the stories that are shared in Untox, about people getting and staying sober for the first time in their lives, or having more non-drinking days than drinking days, or from people who don't enjoy drinking saying they've finally found somewhere they can relax and fit in.
People celebrating their 6 and 12 month soberversaries or 10 days. People making firm and supportive friendships with others on the same path as them, that help them sustain their sobriety and that they continue with outside of Untox.
Well, these are the things that has kept the fire in my belly and my passion for Untoxicated going, even when I felt like I wasn't sure I could continue.
I know what it's like to be desperate, to want change but feel stuck in your old self sabotaging ways, to not even be able to comprehend a life without alcohol.
And I know that change IS possible. I am living proof. And I know that what we do helps others make that change.
So, yes, I am having a wee cry. We got here! I never envisaged this when I started, its incredible. There is so much more work to do. But for now I am humbled and honoured to be at the helm of this wonderful community.
Massive, massive thanks to those who have helped Untox to become the community it is, with help and support:
Stephen Humphreys, Jodie McKenzie, Darrell Price, Lisa Carter, Michael Atkin from the ABC’s 730 report, Deb Scott, Stuart Brownbill, Jason Barry, Valerie Eden, Joel Ratman Wells, Evie Naufal, Eve Poingdestre, Melissa Collins, Fleur Scott, Maria BE, Ingrid Boone, Mags Sheridan, Samantha Webb, Annabel Hollins-Cliff, Helen Piczak, Jo Price, Bree Hayden, Rebecca Hartley, Elena Yusim, Emma Louise Gilmour, Rob Wheeler, Juanita Wheeler, Hopgood Ganim Lawyers.
You are all superstars. We couldn't have done it without you xxx