Journey of Hope

A Journey, Hīkoi of Hope: 

My Walk Towards Healing and Change

Hi, Kia ora, my name is Josh, and I want to share a personal story that's not just about me but about the path many of us face when navigating addiction and mental health struggles. 

Since the age of 15, I've battled addiction, particularly with alcohol. I didn't realize back then that it would lead to 30 years of pain. Despite working to help others as a Youth Worker in mental health and the disability support, I haven't been able to escape my own struggles. Over the last year, I have helped to start a high-end French-style bakery, running the front of house and making beautiful coffee, greeting everybody with enthusiasm and love and doing my best to ensure they walk out feeling happier than when they walk in. Due to my current mental health, I've had to resign from that role.

 

My wife and I recently celebrated eight years of marriage she's a remarkable woman who left Russia a decade ago, seeking a better life, free from growing economic, political and social issues in the country. Together with her son, who is now our son, we've built a loving family. Yet, despite all this love and support, my internal battles have often overshadowed everything else.

My wife has studied mental health and addiction. Despite our combined knowledge, I still haven't found the healing I desperately need. After many attempts of engaging with the mental health and addiction services, I realise I needed to take a different path, one where I step away from the chaos of everyday life and turn towards the healing power of nature. 

Although we explored the idea of going to a rehabilitation center, the average starting price for a four-week in-house treatment program is around $25,000, which is completely out of our family's financial budget and is also such a short time that you can only really begin your journey there.

That's how the idea for my "Hīkoi of Hope" was born.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/helping-my-father-overcome-his-mental-health

PTO. Please Read The Second Page.

I've recently detoxed and decided to embark on a transformative journey into the wild places of New Zealand. My plan is simple: I want to spend time in nature, seeking clarity, peace, and ultimately, healing. I believe that by reconnecting with the land, I might also reconnect with myself—and maybe even inspire others along the way.

This journey will potentially involve volunteering in conservation efforts and walking through some of the South Island's most beautiful places. I have been given the use of two beautiful remote huts, which will serve as my base of operations, allowing me to come and go as I explore the stunning scenery around me. The beginning phase of this journey in the South Island will most likely be around a month and a half to three months and I may need to extend this to six months. I will eventually make my way back to the North Island to reconnect with my family. I'll be documenting my experiences the highs, the lows, and everything in between through photos, videos, and a blog.

But this is more than just my personal healing. I want to share my story to raise awareness about the difficulty of getting help for addiction and mental health issues, especially when you're at your lowest point. I feel that too often, people in crisis are left without the support they need when they need it most. I hope my journey will shed light on some of the painful truths about this and offer hope to others.

To make this vision a reality, I'm reaching out for support. My wife is doing everything she can to cover our basic expenses while I'm away, but we can't manage it alone. I'm seeking financial help through Givealittle to cover the costs of my journey for things like basic food, warm clothing, walking shoes, some basic camping equipment, and transportation like bus tickets.

When I return from this journey, I hope to continue helping others by working in the mental health, addiction, and youth work fields in some capacity. This journey is about healing, hope, and finding peace not just for myself but for others who are struggling. If my story resonates with you, I'd be so grateful for your support, whether it's through a donation, sharing my Givealittle page, or just sending a prayer my way. 

Josh Woodgate-Jackson

0211296202

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/helping-my-father-overcome-his-mental-health