"A day in the life of Neil Johnston from C-Level"

My name is Neil Johnston. I’m 38 and I’m a Peer Support Worker with C-Level. C-level is a charity based in Glasgow, working to improve quality of life for those affected by Hepatitis C. I have been asked to write a wee piece about a typical day for me although the nature of my role as a P.S.W means that I don’t have a typical day!!

My journey with C-Level began in June 2007 when I attended as a service user for a 1 to 1 chat. After attending the support group a few times I asked about volunteering opportunities with the organisation.and volunteered until February 2008, when the full time role of Peer Support Worker was advertised.  I applied and got the job!

I start my day about 9.30am, coming into the office and checking if anyone has called and needs my help. I return any client calls and make appointments. Then I look to see if I have any community outreach booked for that day – this is where I go to another organisation or agency to talk to a group about Hepatitis C. Most of the individuals I speak to are ‘at risk’ i.e. former drug users. This lasts anywhere between 1 ½ hrs to 2 hrs. Then it’s back to the office where I will have a private appointment with someone.  There are different reasons why a person comes to C-Level.  I just try to put them at ease, have a wee cuppa and a chat, then start talking about why they’re here.  Usually it’s because they’ve just been diagnosed positive and are anxious so I give them the facts about Hepatitis C.  Usually when they leave they say they feel better and I invite them back to the support group to meet others affected by Hep C. We are a non-judgmental, non-discriminating safe place to talk.  Anybody can be infected by the virus although the number of men infected in Scotland is double that of the number of women, so it’s good for male clients to speak to another man who has been infected.

Another part of my job is to ‘buddy’ clients to testing or treatment appointments.. I do pre test discussions and then the client decides if they want to be tested.  I will make an appointment for them and accompany them to the hospital. This is to give them a bit of support through a scary time. I can also go with them for results if they want. I’ve had comments such as “I wouldn’t have gone if you hadn’t been there”  

If this day was a Wednesday, I would be facilitating the support group. It’s a very open group, clients come and can have a complementary therapy or just a chat with others in the group. It’s about letting them know they are not alone and that other people are feeling and going through exactly what they are going through. Encouraging and supporting clients is what I feel I do best – I went through the Hepatitis C journey on my own. At the time there wasn’t any support service available. Now, I just want to make sure that people know we are here and our only agenda is to support and help them through this time.

I love my job – it’s really never typical because I do different things every day. At the end of the day if I can help one person start to deal with their Hepatitis C status or if I can pass information on that prevents someone from contracting it – then I’ve done a good job.

For more information about C-Level's work go to:

http://www.c-level.org.uk/