A sporting chance with Sam
Scoring to Sam Broadley meant putting the ball in the net. But instead of a career in sport, he felt himself drawn to help those for whom the word had a very different meaning.
As I think people often do, I made my way into drugs work by accident. I went to university after leaving school and studied Sport and Exercise Science at Leeds Metropolitan University. I had planned a sports-related career.
As a short term measure I started some agency work for the probation service, mainly working on reception - first point of contact with people who had committed a wide range of offences. This was an extremely challenging role but gave me valuable experience and my first professional contact with some of Bradford’s drug-using population.
While there I was invited to work at Bradford DTTO (Drug Testing and Treatment Orders) – a job that seemed to combine my main areas of interest art, sport, complementary therapies and working with people. It also provided a balance of one to one and group work sessions, which kept the job varied and allowed me to develop and improve the different skills needed for both.
After only a short time I realised drugs work provided the rare opportunity to help and support somebody in making and maintaining hugely significant changes to their lives. It is seeing these positive changes and often the transformation that results from them that is still my major motivation for doing the job.
I came to work at Bridge as it is an established drug service which has an extremely good reputation within the region. I had worked in partnership with Bridge and several of its staff as part of my role at D.T.T.O. and was attracted to the holistic approach Bridge takes towards drug treatment.
I work as part of the Adult Service team. This involves working with people using a range of different substances who require support in addressing their drug use.
It can be frustrating and challenging, but I’m pleased to be part of a service which has such a significant impact on the lives of people. After being involved in drugs work for almost five years, I can honestly say that really enjoy it.