THOMAS – helping those on the margin in Blackburn

Download a fact sheet about THOMAS (PDF format)

July 2008

Futurebuilders invested £476,514 in THOMAS to help it increase its provision of drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.

About THOMAS

Established in 1994 by local Reverend Jim McCartney, THOMAS takes its name from the people it supports – Those on the Margins of a Society. Based in Blackburn, THOMAS offers a drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme specifically, but not exclusively, for ex-offenders.

‘THOMAS offers people the opportunity to rebuild their lives by finding a solution to the problems of addiction and to enjoy a life of recovery,’ says Jim, now Chief Executive of the organisation. ‘Our programmes of rehabilitation, support, intervention and advice are intended to transform lives.’

‘The THOMAS programme makes you get to grips with the basics,’ explains Reece, 35 – one of the many people whose life has been turned around thanks to THOMAS. ‘Before THOMAS, I never questioned any of it. Taking drugs, committing crime and going in and out of jail was just the life I accepted.’

Reece at THOMAS

Services

Rehabilitation begins with an initial 12-week programme, which takes place within a group atmosphere and focuses on the addictive nature of each person, covering topics such as interpersonal skills; managing feelings; exploring self; and positive life review.

The 12-week programme is followed by an after-care programme of 3-6 months, where service users are supported to live independently through a community dispersed housing scheme, community based support, and employment and education assistance. Focusing on practical skills such as budgeting, employment, and social life skills, the after-care programme aims to educate and engage users to ensure their rehabilitation is for the long-term.

An important element of the programme is peer mentoring – often with people who have successfully completed the programme themselves. This, Reece says, helps create the ‘massive support network’ that makes THOMAS so unique.

There’s always someone I can talk to if I’m having a bad day. They’re all people who’ve been there before me. They give me advice, confidence and loads of inspiration, and what’s amazing is that I’m starting to see the new guys coming through THOMAS and they look to me, and now I can give them help and a bit of advice.’

A service user in the THOMAS kitchen

How Futurebuilders helped

Futurebuilders invested £476,514 in THOMAS to help fund the purchase of new premises. The Full Investment comprised a £336,514 loan and a £140,000 capital grant to contribute to the purchase and refurbishment of the building.

The Futurebuilders investment also included a 12-month capital and interest repayment holiday on the loan, to support THOMAS during the start-up period.

‘I think Futurebuilders was impressed that we could enter into a business dialogue with them from day one, says Jim. We were able to clearly communicate our vision and goals for the new building and the steps we’d need to take to get there.’

While Jim is aware that the relationship with Futurebuilders has given THOMAS more credibility, he is keen for it to be a two-way relationship. ‘I’m hoping that our relationship with Futurebuilders will give us more of a platform to be able to share our learning across sectors and with other third sector organisations.’

Service user at a therapy session

Contracts

With the help of Futurebuilders, THOMAS has greatly expanded its service provision through contracting with local authorities. It has two Supporting People contracts with Blackburn Council worth over £220,000 and is seeking contracts worth a further £325,000.

Ensuring long-term sustainability through Futurebuilders

‘We’ve always taken the professional nature of the service we provide very seriously,’ says Jim. ‘I’m aware that organisations working in the third sector can often be frowned upon for a lack of internal business planning, but THOMAS has a very clear view of how we fit into the public sector. This means we naturally have a long-term approach to the service we provide and we were quite confident about applying for a loan, as opposed to the more obvious grant-funding option.’

This understanding of the importance of sustainability, for both itself and its clients, means THOMAS is able to ensure a long-term future doing what it does best – transforming lives.

What next?

Are you an organisation like THOMAS who need investment to help you successfully bid for, and win public sector contracts? Then find out which of our products is right for you and check if you could be eligible for a Futurebuilders investment.