Service Support Worker Hillingdon

Hi, I’m Matthew — and it’s both a pleasure and a privilege to be part of the Build on Belief (BoB) family.

I joined BoB as a volunteer at the start of 2025, and I’m now proud to be working in Hillingdon as a Service Support Worker. My journey here has been anything but conventional, and it’s shaped not only who I am but how deeply I care about the work we do.

My background is a colourful blend of science, performance, and management. After earning a degree in Earth Science from Aberystwyth University, I returned to my hometown of Margate, Kent, to work as a Manager for The Daily Telegraph. Craving change, I moved to Spain to perform with First Choice for two amazing years before returning to the UK to pursue an MA in Musical Theatre. After time on stage, I shifted back to the business world, gaining experience in operational management across West End theatres, hotels, and a London university.

Then came 2020. Like many, I faced a mental health crisis that turned my world upside down. Once a confident and outgoing professional, I became anxious, isolated, and dependent on alcohol. Over time, I lost not only the life I knew, but a sense of identity and purpose.

Recovery was not easy — it took me through residential rehab, hospital admissions, and eventually to ARCH in Uxbridge, where I first discovered the heart of BoB. What I found here was more than just a service; it was a community — a space where healing happens through shared experience, compassion, and support.

I’ve seen both the devastation addiction can cause and the extraordinary transformation that recovery can bring. The strength of this process lies in the collective power of people — from doctors and families to, most vitally, those with lived experience of addiction. BoB is a place where hope is real, and where people can rebuild a life that once felt out of reach.

Today, I’m passionate about using my story and experience to help others on their own recovery journey. My life is now richer than I ever imagined. I try to bring humour, kindness, and a listening ear to everyone I meet. When I’m not at BoB, I volunteer with charities offering meals to those in need, feed my passion for aviation (I’ve held a UK Private Pilot Licence since 2001!), and dive into warm waters whenever I can — I’m a certified PADI Rescue Diver.

But above all, the true loves of my life are my two incredible daughters, Tilly and Emme. They inspire me every single day to grow, to give, and to be better.

It’s been a long road, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come — and excited for what lies ahead. If you’re ever at BoB Hillingdon, come and say hi. I’d love to meet you.

Contact Details

Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07704 683149