My Story – Why I Founded NOVEYA

NOVEYA is a community-focused organisation supporting people and families affected by addiction, recovery and related life challenges. We focus on understanding, practical support, psychoeducation and helping people find appropriate next steps. Our aim is simple: reduce harm, strengthen wellbeing and help individuals, families and communities move forward.

A Personal Story

NOVEYA is more than an organisation I founded. For me, it represents something deeply personal.

I know addiction from both sides: through education and professional experience, but also because I have lived through it myself.

I am a person in recovery.

Understanding Addiction From Both Sides

There was a time in my life when addiction was part of my own story. Because of that, I understand that behind addiction there is always a human being: someone with emotions, experiences, relationships, fears and reasons why life became difficult.

What Recovery Really Means

I also know that recovery is about much more than simply stopping an addictive behaviour. It can mean learning how to live again, rebuilding relationships, understanding emotions, facing the past and slowly rediscovering who you are. My own experiences led me to want to understand people on a deeper level.

My Path Into Psychology and Addiction Therapy

My journey into psychology began in 2010, when I completed a Psychology Technician qualification. In 2020, I completed a course in Psychology and Addiction Therapy, and in 2023 I graduated in Manchester with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Criminology.

For my undergraduate dissertation, I chose to explore suicide among young adults, an area that became particularly important to me because I wanted to better understand what can lead someone to a point where life feels unbearable, and what can be done to recognise risk and provide meaningful support.

Working Inside a Psychiatric Hospital

My professional journey also gave me the opportunity to work within a psychiatric hospital, supporting people experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I worked with individuals affected by addiction, people who had survived suicide attempts, people engaging in self-harm, and those experiencing serious mental health difficulties.

These experiences taught me something that qualifications alone never could:

People need to feel seen before they can begin to believe that change is possible.

Continuing to Learn

In 2026, I continued developing my knowledge by completing further training in Addiction Therapy, Psychological First Aid 2, Neuropsychology and a Level 3 Award in Education and Training.

What NOVEYA Does

NOVEYA is a Community Interest Company (CIC) built around a simple belief: people affected by addiction and recovery deserve to be met with understanding, not judgement.

NOVEYA is a UK-based Community Interest Company founded by a person in recovery, combining lived experience with professional training in psychology and addiction therapy to support people and families affected by addiction.

Alongside this story, NOVEYA runs Community Programs, Events and NOVEYA Academy for people looking for support, education or connection. You can meet the wider NOVEYA team on our Team page.

If you have a question, visit our FAQ page or contact us at support@noveya.co.uk.