Meet Nicola - CDAS' Armed Forces Lead supporting veterans and members of the armed forces community with drug and alcohol challenges in Stoke-on-Trent.
Nicola has been working with veterans in Stoke-on-Trent for over a decade. For Armed Forces Day, she shares what she's learned from her experiences.
As Team Leader and Armed Forces Lead at CDAS, Nicola's job is to make sure that anyone affected by drugs or alcohol in Stoke-on-Trent, including veterans and members of the armed forces community, know there's somewhere in the city they can turn to if they're facing challenges.
She supported her first veteran client as an alcohol recovery worker in Tunstall in 2015.
“Listening to his story both shocked and motivated me to do the best I could to support him."
Armed with a phone and her resourcefulness, she made calls until she found the right people, securing a four-day residential course for him and staying alongside him throughout. When he left the service, sober and connected to specialist support, he made her a cake.
Her second veteran client, a few years later, taught her something just as important - that what worked once won’t necessarily work again.
Every veteran has their own story
“I thought I knew what would work. But no! Every veteran comes with their own unique story and their own way of dealing with trauma.”
This client came to Nicola through Stoke Recovery Service, where she was working at the time.
“He was actually sober when he came to us, but he knew that if he didn’t get something in his life, he would be back to drinking.”
Session after session, they worked together without finding a clear way forward. Then, one day, he mentioned that he used to love music and playing the guitar.
Nicola asked him to play for her.
“He was very wary at first,” she says. “But after some gentle persuasion, he agreed - and that was the breakthrough.”
He played guitar every session after that. He even started teaching other clients. When he eventually moved back to Scotland, he also became a volunteer in a drug and alcohol support service there.
Overcoming stigma and stereotypes
After thirteen years in the sector, Nicola understands what gets in the way of veterans seeking help in the first place - the stereotypes that cut both ways: either veterans are seen as 'dangerous' and 'broken', or as 'tough' and 'self-sufficient', needing nothing from anyone.
“Truth is, a veteran can be all of those things and everything in between. They are all unique - as we all are - and should not be stereotyped.”
Nicola's understanding isn’t just professional. Her husband is an army veteran. His story, and the stories of others like him, are part of what drives her work.
“I was both shocked and saddened hearing my husband’s story,” she says. “That was when I decided to start making links with local veteran services, just to see what gaps were missing.”
Supporting veterans in Stoke-on-Trent
Nicola is currently building our armed forces partnerships across Stoke - connecting with the Royal British Legion, local tri-services, and community projects run by veterans themselves. Her vision is to create a safe space where veterans who are facing challenges with drugs or alcohol can feel supported, where there is no shame or judgement.
Her offer to any veteran who might be thinking about reaching out is this:
“Let’s share a cuppa. We can talk about the weather, put the world to rights, everything in between. If you can’t come to us, we will come to you. If there’s something we can’t support, we’ll find someone who can - and we can go and see them together.”
Get in touch
If you or someone you know could benefit from support with drugs or alcohol, Nicola and the CDAS team are here to help.
Call us on 01782 283 113 or come along to our drop-in. Our services are free, confidential, and you don’t need a referral.