Holbeck based charity plans to convert house into addiction rehab facility as demand grows for founder's help

Natasha Wyer spent 15 years in a world of addiction, drug taking, stealing and prostitution but after moving to Leeds and being completely clean for the last five years she is upping the work she has been doing over the last couple of years to help people who are in the same situation she was.

Last month she left her job as a nail technician in Leeds city centre to focus more on the Natasha Wyer Charity. It follows outreach work that she had been doing with local churches over the last few years

She said: “It was coming to the point where I was doing 16 hours there and whatever on the charity. It got too much and with five children, I was burning the candle at both ends and thought 'take a leap of faith' and follow the passion to help people.”

The organisation sets up individual and group recovery and coaching sessions, offers prayer, bible readings and emotional support, helps facilitate doctor appointments to access methadone and does street outreach with food parcels and clothing for the homeless as well as toiletry and beauty bags for street sex workers.

Case Study

Six years ago, Michelle (whose real name has been changed to protect her identity) was mugged and raped. In that same year, her god daughter died young and a few weeks later the child’s mother, a good friend of Michelle then took her own life. Her mother had a serious car crash and ever since Michelle has struggled to cope throughout the months of June, July and August when the anniversary of these events come around.

It was in 2019 that Michelle first saw Natasha speaking at a conference and in July that year she sent Natasha a message for support.

Since then the two have struck up a friendship and Michelle has started working with the charity - which she says has been a lifeline from the depression she was sinking into.

She told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I’d spend three days in my bedroom and not go out. I was suffering from depression and anxiety and that always occurred during that period of time. I didn’t want to be here. I wouldn’t do anything but it was always in the back of my mind.

“I got involved in delivering food parcels around Holbeck. It gave me such a sense of doing something for other people, I found it so rewarding. Instead of my problems it gave me something else to focus on.

“I am hoping I will handle things better when it comes to that period of time. I will be able to help with anything that needs doing.”

When coronavirus broke out in March 2020, the charity, using National Lottery funding put a three month plan together starting from October to December 2020, giving out food parcels and clothes parcels. To bring a little fun to the children it brought Father Christmas to Holbeck with shoes boxes full of toys, a hot meal, Christmas carols and mince pies.

This year is set to see the charity take on a seven bedroom house where there will be a live in worker and bedrooms for six people to receive rehabilitation treatment that is free as 95 per cent of facilities are already full.

Ms Wyer said: “Some people are sick and tired of being sick and tired and want to get out and over that bridge.

“There are a lot of brilliant charities handing out food but it does not change the situation people are in. Some can say here is £20, they will go and score and it does not change anything. I am looking at a long term strategy where we can prevent and get them out of that cycle.”

“It is not the easiest thing. You have to have patience, love and understanding. Once addiction gets its grip, you are so used to it and don’t know how to pull out of the cycle. Some are ready to be done and some are not, sometimes it is a waiting game and building up a relationship and trust.

“It is the most rewarding thing in the world. I never thought in a million years I would get off crack, you are like a dog with a bone with it. I want people to see there is hope beyond abuse, drugs, addiction and domestic violence.”

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