New workshop project in Stratford launches this month
AFTER the tragic loss of a beloved sister and friend, two Stratford women have created a workshop for family members supporting a loved one with a heroin addiction.
Zoe Rashwan and her close friend, Kimberley Butler, hope they can help others following the death of Zoe’s sister, Jodie Rashwan, from Stratford, who relapsed back into heroin and died aged 36, after 25 years of drug addiction.
The heartache for Zoe, her family, Kimberley and friends is that Jodie had been clean from heroin for over two years and was living life to the full before her tragic death occurred on 15th May 2019.
Zoe told the Herald that news of Jodie going clean was “like getting my sister back.”
“I’d lost my sister through drugs and our family went on a dark journey - it was an emotional roller coaster. When she got clean she was the most amazing person, she was so beautiful and loving life and she was also a good mum.”
Jodie was around 11 or 12-years-old when she started doing drugs which included heroin and cannabis with other people. A habit that was to stay with her for most of her life.
“She was a slave to drugs with a 25-year addiction. I have lots of bittersweet memories and after her death I just felt numb. I was in shock and just spent two years in my home,” Zoe said.
As time passed, Zoe and Kimberley – who was also a very close friend of Jodie – shared their thoughts and grief but out of sorrow came light and a new concept and direction gradually emerged with the creation of their first ever workshop to help family members supporting a loved one. The project is now complete and about to be launched.
Zoe and Kimberley have called their workshop It’s Not My Addiction and they will hold their first session for families at the Fred Winter Centre on Wednesday 15th May with further workshops at New Chapters in Leamington scheduled.
Kimberley said: “Zoe and I are doing this in loving memory of Jodie Catherine Leyla Rashwan and Zoe would not be able to do this without her.”
The workshop has been made with family and friends in mind who are suffering and living through a nightmare because of a loved one's addiction.
“There’s not enough help out there,” said Zoe. “We hope to help others through our shared experience. We hope to lessen some of the pain and anger family’s feel. You keep asking yourself why are they doing what they’re doing to themselves but there’s no point shouting at them. Understandably, the family or friend feels anger, frustration and confusion.
“We are mainly referring to the Class A drug, heroin, however we feel this content would also be beneficial for family and friends experiencing life with a loved one who has an addiction to other substances too.”
The free workshop takes families and friends of an addict on a journey of guidance and support in what they face on a daily basis.
“We believe the content throughout will be relatable to so many, which is why we also believe the techniques and tools that will be shared will be extremely useful, as they have been incredibly powerful to ours and many others lives too,” said Zoe.
Zoe and Kimberley are grateful for the support given by Jackie Lines of Street Arts in Stratford and Jonathan Ruane of the Fred Winter Centre along with other groups.
The 15th May launch is open to members of loved ones in addiction and runs from 12.30 to 2.30pm.
As a Stratford Town Councillor, Zoe Rashwan, is only too aware about the heartbeat of the town and the vibrancy it holds for many people but there is another side to the story and there are vulnerable people out there who need support and that’s why Zoe and Kimberley are committed to helping others with their new workshop.
Reflecting on her sister’s life, Zoe said: “I love her in my heart and now we are on this journey together and we have to be there to help other people.”
To find out more about It’s not my addiction, email: foreverlivinginharmony@outlook.com
