More Than a Setback: Why Every Attempt at Recovery Matters
“I was always considered a serial relapser. I think I am a serial trier.”
It is one of the simplest lines in Joe's story, but perhaps one of the most powerful.
Two ways of describing the same person. One focuses on what went wrong. The other recognises something equally important: the fact that, despite everything, the person kept trying.
In our 2026 Christmas Appeal film, Joe's words challenge the way we think and talk about recovery. They remind us that people are more than their setbacks, their circumstances or the challenges they face.
Because sometimes, what looks like failure from the outside is someone finding the strength to try again.
People are more than a label
When someone experiences homelessness, poor mental health or problems with drugs or alcohol, it can become easy to define them by those circumstances.
Words such as homeless, addict, difficult or relapser can begin to overshadow the person behind them.
But no label tells someone's whole story.
It does not explain what they have experienced growing up, the challenges they have overcome or the circumstances that have shaped their life. It does not recognise the appointments they have attended, the relationships they have rebuilt or the difficult days they have managed to get through.
Most importantly, it does not tell us what that person might still achieve.
At The Society of St James (SSJ), we believe everyone deserves to be treated as an individual, with their own experiences, strengths and aspirations. Our approach is about seeing the person, not simply the problems they are facing.
Recovery is not a straight line
Rebuilding a life after homelessness, addiction or difficult experiences is rarely straightforward.
Progress can take time. There can be difficult periods, setbacks and moments when moving forward feels impossible.
In Joe's story, finding somewhere safe to live does not mean everything suddenly falls into place. He still experiences anxiety and has things to work through. He is also beginning to understand how experiences from his childhood have affected the way he feels today.
But something has changed.
He has consistent support around him, opportunities to connect with other people and the encouragement to think about what comes next.
He is considering joining the SSJ Academy walking group to help manage his anxiety, exploring training opportunities and perhaps returning to work in the future.
These are not overnight transformations. They are steps towards a different future.
And every step deserves recognition.
Seeing the person, not just the problems
One of the most important themes in Joe's story is the difference it makes when somebody takes the time to understand you.
Reflecting on his experience with SSJ, Joe says:
“Someone cared. They saw me for me. Not just my problems.”
Being treated with understanding and compassion can make a significant difference to someone's journey.
Good support is not simply about asking what is going wrong. It is about understanding what someone has experienced, recognising their strengths and helping them identify what might make the next step possible.
It is also about building relationships based on trust, consistency and respect.
For someone who has spent years feeling judged or misunderstood, having people who believe in their potential can help them begin to see that potential themselves.
From surviving to looking forward
Towards the later part of Joe's story, the way he talks about his future begins to change.
He describes feeling calmer, understanding more about his experiences and recognising the difference that consistent support has made.
He begins to look beyond simply getting through each day.
One line captures this change particularly well:
“Now I want to live again.”
It does not mean every challenge has disappeared or that his journey is complete. It means that, with the right support, he can begin to imagine a future beyond the difficulties he has experienced.
And that is what recovery can be about: creating opportunities, rebuilding confidence and helping someone find reasons to look forward.
The bed is the beginning. Everyone deserves the chance to try again.
This Christmas, our appeal is about more than providing someone with a safe place to sleep.
It is about the support that follows. The relationships that help rebuild trust, the opportunities that restore confidence and the encouragement that helps someone keep moving forward.
At The Society of St James, we believe people should never be defined solely by their setbacks.
Whether someone is taking their first step or trying again after many difficult experiences, they deserve compassion, understanding and the opportunity to build a different future.
Because sometimes, a serial relapser is also a serial trier.
Help us provide the support that makes another attempt, another opportunity and another beginning possible.
DONATE TO THE CHRISTMAS APPEAL
Joe is played by an actor. His story brings together real experiences shared with us by people we have supported. We have combined these experiences and changed identifying details to protect their privacy.