I truly believe that if someone wants to get control of their life and fight addiction, support like Transform can be a godsend.

My name is William, but everyone calls me Bill.

I grew up in a large Irish family of seven children and had a difficult childhood. My dad was a very violent man who abused my mum, my siblings and me. We never talked about our feelings and, looking back, I truly believe that trauma had a huge impact on me and shaped a lot of the struggles I had later in life. I started drinking when I was 15 and, over time, alcohol became my way of coping.

I worked in construction, got married and had a daughter, but my drinking gradually took over. I became addicted without realising it. Alcohol changed me. I became violent when I drank.

My first marriage ended after five years because of my drinking. My second marriage did too. One of the worst moments of my life was when I came back to our family flat to discover my ex-wife and daughter had left without telling me. I was devastated, my way of coping was to go straight to the pub and get drunk.

My life spiralled into broken relationships, prison sentences and deep regret. Altogether, I spent around 18 years in prison for offences linked to alcohol and violence. It became a cycle – prison, release, drink and back again.

My mother died while I was in prison and my father later died of Alzheimers. I also struggled with depression for many years. Drinking seemed to numb the pain for a while, but it never made it go away.

I'd been through rehab, detox and intensive care more than once, but nothing seemed to break the cycle. Before my last prison sentence, I was living in a hostel, but I lost my place because of my drinking. When I was released at 60, I was homeless. I even wrote to the hostel owner asking for one last chance because I had nowhere else to turn.

That's when Transform stepped in.

Transform gave me the opportunity that changed my life. I arrived when I was 60 and I'm 72 now, so I've been here for 12 years. Transform truly saved my life. They gave me stability, peace of mind and support when I had run out of options. They worked with me, not against me, and gave me another chance when I desperately needed one.

My key worker has been a tremendous support and Transform has helped with practical things too, including meals delivered to my home and Careline support. I also found strength through my faith as a Jehovah’s Witness, which remains important to me.

Life today is completely different. I still have the occasional drink, but only a very small amount. I'm no longer the angry, violent man I once was. I'm at peace now – something I never thought I'd be able to say. For years, my life was an endless cycle of pubs, prison, violence and regret. I never believed I could escape it.

Transform helped me turn my life around. They showed me that it's never too late to change. If it wasn't for Transform, I hate to think where I'd be today. At 72, my life is calmer, happier and more peaceful than I ever thought possible.

My story proves that no matter how long you've struggled or what you've been through, it's never too late to change. Transform gave me hope when I had none left.

They worked with me, not against me. They gave me another chance when I desperately needed one.