Glasgow Claypits A Sanctuary For Former Addict Turned Nature Advocate

Scott grew up in Possilpark in the 1970s. He often visited Hamiltonhill Claypits as a kid. In the early 80s, he sadly got into drugs. Some of his friends also became addicted then.

He lived near the Claypits as a teen. His dad forbade visiting, but he went anyway. Back then, it felt like barren land. They sometimes met shady people, and they’d often get chased, like in an adventure.

Drugs arrived in the 80s. Possilpark became more dangerous then. Many people used drugs, so he and his friends did too. Their role models did drugs, so it seemed normal.

At 31, Scott decided to get help. He went to a local rehab center in 1998. He felt much older than his age. He could barely walk at that point. After a year in recovery, he got a job there.

He helped others in the program. He took people to the Claypits to talk. Staff kept everyone safe on walks. The canal next to the Claypits felt safest. They avoided addicted friends and shops this way. It helped avoid triggers to use again. Scott said nature offers many lessons. Even in bad weather, you still move forward.

The Claypits felt safe to walk for hours. He said this little nature spot helped people. He worked at the rehab center for 15 years. Scott wanted to give back to his community. Besides the center, he worked at youth centers. He took kids to clean up the canal. It was next to the Claypits.

The kids loved the nature adventures. He loved it as a kid, too. The Claypits became much safer. Kids now play freely in nature there. When they made the Claypits a nature reserve, he joined.

Scott joined the reserve committee two years ago. The team includes locals and businesses. Schools help maintain the area too. The team is very diverse. Their shared love of nature unites them. They do monthly litter picks, and they had over 50 people in one of those. Scott emphasizes youth involvement. They are the next generation.

They held a recovery event where he saw people from rehab 25 years ago. Some did well, some restarted. Many addicts from the 90s died. Society judges those in addiction. He tries to hold onto hope. Investing in people reveals their best features.

Life is often about circumstances, he said. Your surroundings affect you deeply. He still deals with mental health issues. His mother died last year, and he hadn’t seen her in 40 years. He lost many friends to addiction and violence. Relationships were also hard for him, and he links it to childhood experiences.

He feels like part of the Claypits now. He lacks a partner or parents. He has great sisters and friends.

The nature reserve got funding of £79,645. The money will help employ a manager who will do outdoor activities. This will happen over the next three years. They want diverse groups to enjoy nature, including groups that felt excluded before.

Julieanne Levett spoke about the funding. She said it lets them create activities that will improve well-being and bring the community together. They can educate and promote the benefits of nature.