Peter van den Ende is now 56 years old and was addicted for many years. Ive been off coke and alcohol for 10 years. Honestly, quitting cannabis was a lot harder. I had been smoking it since I was 16. And anyone who says that stuff isnt addictive is mistaken.
Desperate, I had myself admitted to a clinic over 2 years ago. There were peer experts working there. These are people who have gone through the same experiences as I did. They showed me how to learn to cope with sober life again. They saw me as a person, not as an addict. That inspired me so much that I wanted to become a peer expert too.
Deemed Unfit
As smooth as it sounds, it didnt go that way. When I came out of the clinic, I was completely deemed unfit for work, Peter recounts. I have emphysema and COPD. My old job in greenhouse construction and landscaping was way too heavy. I ended up on sick leave.
After sitting at home for 3 months, I thought: I cant go on like this. Im not a sitter. I wanted to follow a training course to become a peer expert. I raised this with Prestatie010. Link opens an external page.
Support from Coach Ed
Fortunately, I received all the support from my coach Ed, says Peter. He worked hard for a reassessment. This ensured that I was declared partially unfit for work. So I could get back to work. Ed also arranged for me to start the training to become a peer expert within 2 months. Otherwise, I would have had to sit at home for another six months.
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Furthermore, he helped me arrange the finances for the training. Through Prestatie010, the municipality pays 500 euros and I also contribute. The rest of the training costs are covered by a special fund. The municipality guaranteed this and also pays my travel expenses to the school in IJsselmonde.
More important than arranging that was the support from my coach. When everything wasnt going smoothly, Ed encouraged me not to give up.
Almost a Diploma
With the training to become a peer expert, Peter is almost finished. I am doing an internship 24 hours a week at a mental health and addiction care institution. In conversations, I guide people with an addiction. I talk to them about social hygiene, health, and nutrition.
In about 2 months, I will receive my diploma and can call myself a professional peer expert. Then I can work anywhere I want in addiction care. After this, I would like to continue learning.
Broaden Your Horizon
Does Peter have tips for other job seekers? Broaden your horizon, step out of your comfort zone. And use your own strength. I now use my strength to help others.
More Information
Prestatie010 is a program of the municipality of Rotterdam. Coaches from Prestatie010 help people who have been unemployed for a longer time find work. Want to know more? Check the webpage of Prestatie010. Link opens an external page.