My Dad had been drinking as long as I could remember.

He’d come home drunk and fight with Mum. Sometimes he would hit her.

When I started to get a bit older, he’d hit me too.

When I was about 13, he left. I felt angry all the time. I was getting into fights at school and was always arguing with Mum.

I got referred to this local service, I’ve got a mentor there.

I meet up with him regularly.

We go bowling, go to the cinema and stuff like that.

It’s been good to have someone to talk to. He understands, he’s been through a similar thing.

There’s a group at the service too that meet up every week.

I was really nervous at first, but I’ve now been going for about 2 years.

I’ve learned a lot coming here. I’ve learnt about alcohol, drugs and stuff but also learned techniques to help me cope without losing my temper.

There’s lots of fun stuff going on too and I’ve got some good friends here.

Things are much better now. I’ve not been in any fights lately and I don’t lose my temper with Mum as much.

I’d say to anyone going through the same stuff to talk to someone, get some help.