How You Can Help Empower People Combating Addiction by Voting For The Forward Trust This September
The Forward Trust is a UK charity who work with people struggling with addiction, homelessness, unemployment and who are caught up in the cycle of crime. Beginning in 1991, for over 30 years their team has been working with people who need it the most, to build a bright future free from addiction and poverty. They believe that people can move beyond their past, and through services such as rehabilitation, one-to-one support, workshops and practical support in areas such as housing and finance, they help people to create a better future for themselves and their loved ones.
Who Are The Forward Trust?
The Forward Trust is a team of employees, trainees and volunteers who help people in a variety of ways from housing to mental health. Many of their team have struggled in the past with drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness and mental health issues, and they are now able to help others to overcome their past traumas. Over 40% of their staff have experienced the issues that this charity seeks to help others to overcome, demonstrating to service users that a future free from the struggles of addiction, crime and homelessness is possible.
They are a national charity, based in the South-East of England, with a number of services available around Yorkshire, East Anglia and the West Midlands. They have a number of services available for people in need, including those in the community and in prisons.
What Services Do The Forward Trust Offer?
They offer several services for people struggling with different aspects of life and at different stages of their journey. This includes:
- Drug and Alcohol Support
This includes services to help people who are looking for a life free from drugs and alcohol entirely, as well as those wanting to cut down and stay safe. These services are usually for people aged 18 and over who live in one of the following areas: East Kent, Hull, Liverpool, Essex and Wiltshire. They also have two residential rehabilitation centres, The Bridges for men aged 18 and over and Clouds House for anyone aged 18 and over which help people become entirely free from substance use.
They also support people in prisons all over England who are struggling with alcohol and drug abuse. Their services include programmes and workshops which are catered to you, whether you want to focus on cutting down or abstaining from alcohol and drugs entirely.
- Employment Support
They provide a number of programmes for people looking to find employment, including courses to gain qualifications, support getting apprenticeships, help finding and getting work, skill development programmes and work training. Not only that, but they offer support for budding entrepreneurs looking to start their own business. Their programmes cater for different people depending on what they are looking to achieve, including those not in education or training, those wanting to run a business, ex offenders and people in recovery from addiction, and people who are unemployed.
- Family Support
The Forward Trust recognises that it is not just the drug or alcohol user themselves who is affected by addiction, but it often affects those close to them too. They are able to offer support for anyone aged 18 or older, who lives in Hull, East Kent, Liverpool or Essex. They offer help in the form of support groups and their online chat service Reach Out which is described below.
- Forward Connect
Forward Connect is a way for former users of their services as well as current users who are working well towards their goals to come together and celebrate success whilst supporting each other in their journeys. This service is available in person and online, with meetings, celebration events, social events, private groups and much more.
It is available to anyone who is progressing in or has completed one of their programmes, anyone staying in one of their supported housing facilities and mentors, volunteers and employees.
- Housing and Resettlement Support
Their Housing and Resettlement support helps people to secure housing and live as independently as possible whilst being supported in ways they may need. The Forward Trust provides different types of housing depending on the service user.
Their recovery housing is the support service which offers people in recovery from drugs or alcohol who are working well towards their end goals. This type of housing provides freedom whilst allowing them to access support as they learn to live independently. Their Vision Housing is for people who are homeless, or at risk of being homeless, or are leaving supported accommodation. This is a more independent living service, and they help people find rented accommodation whilst offering services to help them become independent.
- Mental Health Support
The Forward Trust offer support for those living with mild to moderate mental health issues in prison. This can include issues such as anxiety and depression, and includes a range of mental health services to improve wellbeing. They also offer an online Reach Out Chat Service, which is open to anyone who wants to discuss the struggles they are currently facing from mental health to addiction and homelessness.
- Probation Support
Their probation support services help men who are 18+ who are coming out of prison or are on community orders to stop the cycle of crime and halt reoffending. They work holistically with each client, offering personal wellbeing services as well as accommodation support and signposting to other charities for additional support.
- Recovery Support
Recovery support is for service users who have completed a substance misuse programme or are in treatment and working well at their programme. Their recovery support includes one to one support sessions, signposting to other addiction charity services, workshops and learning opportunities, mentoring, housing support and help obtaining qualifications among other things. This complex support network offers those who want to change their lives for the better the tools to do so, in a way which is suited to them, whether it's through one to one sessions or practical workshops.
How Can I Help The Forward Trust?
The best way to support The Forward Trust right now is by voting for them in our September charity poll - it's free, it's easy and you just need to click the circle next to The Forward Trust.
You can also support them through Fundraising, Donating or Volunteering your time for this worthy cause. They also have their More Than My Past and Taking Action on Addiction campaigns which challenge stigma by profiling the stories of people who have overcome addiction or crime, so if you have a story to share they would love to hear it.
How Can I Contact The Forward Trust?
You can get in touch with the team via email at info@forwardtrust.org.uk or give them a call on 020 3981 5525. Visit The Forward Trust website to find out more about this incredible charity.