Musician marks charity’s 50th year with song
A MUSICIAN who helps people in Glasgow with addiction issues has written a song to mark the 50th anniversary of the charity where he volunteers.
Shaun Kenny hopes his song about the founder of the charity Addaction will raise awareness of the vital work that the organisation does to support adults, young people and families to make positive behavioural changes.
The 28-year-old, who is originally from Dundee but now lives in Glasgow, became a volunteer at Addaction’s Maryhill base after overcoming his own struggle with addiction.
He said: “I used to play in bands when I was in my teens and I got caught up in heavy drinking as in that scene there is a lot of partying. I partied a bit too hard, and I decided to get a fresh start and move to Glasgow.”
He added: “When I moved to Glasgow I wanted to help people so I started volunteering with Addaction and now I have decided that is what I would like to do full-time.”
Shaun, who is a painter and decorator by trade, was approached by a member of staff at Addaction and asked to write a song about the charity’s founder Molly Craven in time for the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Molly started the charity due to her own’s son heroin addiction, and since then Addaction helps around 75,000 people per year at around 100 sites across Scotland and England.
Part of their success is down to their popular recovery cafes which give the people who use the service a chance to socialise with others who are experiencing the same difficulties as them.
And this is something Shaun loves about the organisation. He said: “It is quite reassuring when you are caught up in addiction, hearing someone else who has been through it, telling you that it does get better.
“It was reassuring for me back then hearing from other people that they have changed their lives. It gives you hope.”
He added: “The idea of making a song was put to me by one of the workers here who knew that I played music. He asked if I could write a wee song for the 50th anniversary.
“I looked into Addaction’s history and background. It is a good story about how this woman Molly campaigned because there was not a lot of support for families and addiction. Now 50 years later, Addaction is a huge charity.”
The charity plan to put the song online as part of their celebrations. And Shaun hopes the song will raise awareness of Addaction.
For more information, visit http://www.addaction.org.uk/ help-and-support/addaction-scotland/our-services-scotland.