Teen Challenge shares Tommy’s story of hope 

A charity based at Drayton Hall in Norfolk is helping to repair lives broken by addiction. Tommy’s experience shows how lives can truly be transformed thanks to God and a supportive community.

By the age of 35, Tommy had spent a total of 14 years in prison. His first appearance in Crown Court was at the age of 11 for criminal damage. By this time Tommy, like many others, was taking drugs and suffering the consequences of addiction. Although Tommy’s mother had become a Christian and was taking him to church, his life of crime and addiction had begun. In total, Tommy served nine prison sentences, going from young offenders’ confinement to an adult prison at the age of 18. Although Tommy wanted to change and have the faith of his mum, it seemed to be impossible to get the help he needed. 

The beginning of the change came when he was leaving Wayland Prison in Norfolk. Tommy stood outside the gates and began to cry. Not tears of relief to be out, but because he felt more secure and confident in prison and was afraid of what would come next.

Tommy has a familiar story to many of the men who are on the Teen Challenge programme. His prison gate experience of fear and a desire to change is recognisable to Vic Ready, who now works as Outreach Co-ordinator for Teen Challenge in Drayton. Teen Challenge is a Christian rehabilitation programme for men – not just teenagers - experiencing addiction and related problems. Previously Vic worked as a prison chaplain at Wayland and Norwich prison and got to know many like Tommy desperately looking for break the cycle of addiction.

Vic explains what happened to Tommy next, “After his release he was on licence, but suffered a recall when probation said he had failed to answer his phone when they tried to contact him. The truth was that he had rung that morning and told them he would be late as he couldn’t get a lift until later. That was accepted but the message not passed on (quite a common situation!) He was recalled and sent to HMP, The Mount, to finish the second half of his sentence. It was here that a chaplain ministered to him, he cried out to Jesus and felt an incredible warmth and in his own words, ‘went from hopelessness to hope’!”

Upon his release, Tommy joined a church in Essex and his pastor referred him to Teen Challenge, Drayon. Vic said, “I have personally watched Tommy develop since being with us and grow as a Christian, lose every vestige of addictive behaviour or desire, minister to other men on the programme and be in every way, a disciple of the Lord.”

Tommy’s life has changed radically. He said, “First of all, Jesus is in my life and has transformed my life. Now I have a present and future and not just a past.” Tommy has total freedom from his drug addiction and complete restoration with his family, including with his daughter. He is currently working in ministry for God at the 5:17, Coffee Shop in Drayton. 

Tommy feels passionately that young people need to hear this message of hope. A downward spiral of addiction often begins at school, whether that is drink, drugs and especially now, pornography. 

One of the reasons why Tommy received the help he needed was because his pastor Katie knew about Teen Challenge and referred him. Vic is appealing to churches and individuals in Norfolk to engage with the charity by finding out about what they offer, by praying for them and supporting them financially to helping them expand so more men can join the programme. 

Vic said, “For the last year I have been part of the counselling team, and during that time I have seen some truly remarkable transformations in the lives of the men on the programme. They arrive often with a troubled past which always includes addiction of one form or another. 

"Many of your Network Norfolk readers will have visited the 5:17 Coffee Shop in Drayton, (taken from 2 Cor. 5:17). In doing so they will have met several of the men who are employed at the café towards the end of their time at Teen Challenge. The feedback we receive from customers who meet the staff at the café is always positive, and very gratifying. We are looking to include a bakery with all produce made on site by fully trained catering team who are on the programme.”

Vic can be contacted on vic@draytonhall.org.uk. Or by phone number: 07799 000066. 

Read more about Teen Challenge, when one of our writers paid a visit.

Pictured above: Tommy.