£600,000+ centre helps reduce risk of relapse (18/09/2006)
18.09.2006
A new national training and support centre for people with drug and alcohol problems is to open its doors for the first time, thanks to a recent investment from Futurebuilders.
Ocean Quay, which will celebrate its official opening in Plymouth next week, will provide a supportive and safe environment for people who have experienced problems as a result of drug and alcohol abuse.
Ocean Quay, part of Broadreach House - a nationwide charity providing residential and day support for those suffering the effects of dependence, will offer clients training in over 40 work-related courses devised to improve their chances of finding work. Support services, such as group activities, one-to-one counselling, stress management and housing and benefit advice will also be on offer to help clients reduce their risk of relapse or re-offending.
The development of Ocean Quay was made possible as result of a £628,980 investment package from Futurebuilders, which helped purchase and refurbish a new venue for all of Broadreach House’s day services.
Chrissy Richman, Director of Broadreach House said: “The increasing national demand for our services meant we had to re-evaluate how we could develop our organisation’s capacity to help as many people as possible. The Futurebuilders investment has helped us take the next step in developing our services and provided a new base for our day services.
By offering all our day programmes in one place and working with the probation service and drug and alcohol teams we are helping to reduce the risk of re-offending, as well as giving people the skills and confidence to find employment to improve their quality of life.”
Richard Gutch, Chief Executive of Futurebuilders said: “Ocean Quay is exactly the type of project that Futurebuilders was set up to support. Broadreach House showed us how a joint approach to drug and alcohol treatment would help many more people stop the cycle of drug abuse, reduce re-offending and lead healthier lives.
“The biggest part of every Futurebuilders investment will always be a loan and this is repaid through public sector contracts or fees. Broadreach House has already been successful in securing contracts for its services at Ocean Quay, which will allow them to repay the loan in a way that supports their ongoing development. The Ocean Quay project highlights, quite clearly, how specialist charities can work with local purchasers to provide sustainable public services.”
Although it is yet to be officially opened, Ocean Quay is already providing services to numerous clients.
Paulo P, a client of Ocean Quay, said: “Coming to the day service at Ocean Quay has given me a life. By participating in group activities, one to one counselling, and training courses, I have learnt how to rebuild and transform the negatives of my drinking days into a positive future.”
The centre will officially open on Thursday 21 September 2006 with Richard Gutch, Chief Executive of Futurebuilders, attending the event.
Ends
For more information please contact Jayna Danckert at Futurebuilders on 020 7927 6346.
Notes to editors
The following people are available for interview:
- Richard Gutch , Chief Executive of Futurebuilders
- Chrissy Richman, Director of Broadreach House
- Gary Wallace, Plymouth DAAT
- Clients of Ocean Quay and Broadreach House services
Futurebuilders invested £628,980 into Broadreach House. This comprises of a £550,000 loan which will be repaid through public sector contracts, a £50,000 capital grant for refurbishment and a £28,980 capacity building grant, which will pay for staff training and development.
Futurebuilders is the £125 million government backed investment fund for the third sector. It offers a mixture of loans, grants and capacity building support to voluntary and community organisations that want to deliver better public services.
Since 2004, Futurebuilders has offered over £60 million in investment packages to over 150 organisations. Applications are welcome from organisations working in health and social care, education and learning, children and young people, crime prevention and community cohesion.
Broadreach House is a well established provider of drug/alcohol dependence treatment services. It currently delivers detox and rehab services in three residential units in Plymouth . Ocean Quay will operate as a fourth centre, offering day services only.
The Ocean Quay Centre is a nationwide service, taking referrals from across the country. 40% of Broadreach House’s current referrals come from the Greater London Area. The centre will offer two courses, Action For Change – a 12-week day programme preventing relapse for people completing residential and community-based treatment and the Quay Project – a work-based training programme for people out of work and seeking employment funded by the European Union Social Fund and Working Links.
Clients will have the opportunity to take part in over 40 courses at Ocean Quay, including cookery, creative writing, web design, computer skills, woodwork, gardening, as well as personal and basic skills training.
For further information visit www.broadreach-house.org.uk