WITHOUT WHIPPED CREAM –
Dec. 23, 2025 – As a recovering addict, she says in the past the festive season meant trying to make sure she had enough drugs to last until Boxing Day.
“There were no drug dealers on Christmas Day.”
Now, she is one of a group of people who work at cafe Chocolate & Co – a charity that creates employment opportunities for people who struggle with addiction and offending. The organisation was founded by York mum and daughter, Linda Barrie and Mariah Pape, after they lost two close friends to addiction.
Some of the people who work at the hot chocolate cafe have credited the charity with saving their lives.
For Abbie, this December marks a change from her previous life.
“This is the first year when I’m like ‘it’s nearly Christmas, I’m going to get my decorations up’,” she says.
“Christmas used to be about getting enough drugs to last you, there is no Christmas dinner, no presents, no family, no nothing.
“This year is going to be different, it’s good, I’m looking forward to it.”
She is learning to drive and preparing to start a new job, after a stint working for the cafe.
“My self esteem when I first started was rock bottom, I thought these guys had an ulterior motive, why are they offering me a job?” she says.
