DDN_July_August_2025 DDN July August 2025 | Page 30

SERVICES

RUBY

REFLECTIONS

As The Nelson Trust celebrates its 40th anniversary, Eleanor Telfer looks back at how the organisation has been providing specialist support to some of society’ s most vulnerable people

Over the last 40 years, The Nelson Trust has supported thousands to achieve long-term recovery. Each year, it provides holistic, traumainformed and gender-specific support to more than 5,000 individuals through its recovery services and women’ s community centres.

Its residential rehabilitation services were founded in 1985 near Stroud, Gloucestershire, and now comprise four genderresponsive treatment centres for abstinence-based recovery. Over the years the trust has pioneered new approaches including its work with women, families and working with
multiple unmet needs.
In 2004, Dr Stephanie Covington, a leading pioneer in addiction, trauma and recovery, opened The Nelson Trust’ s women-only house, one of the first women-only treatment centres in the UK.
A NEW MODEL OF CARE In 2021 the trust – in collaboration with Dr David Best and in co-production with clients – introduced a new model of care, merging a recovery capital and trauma-informed approach. A new four-stage programme was co-created, with expertise from current clients and alumni.
‘ The COVID-19 pandemic offered us an unexpected opportunity to continue to
innovate,’ said director of recovery, Kirsty Day.‘ Driven by our clients’ voices, we joined together to evolve our service delivery model to ensure that our offer is truly holistic. Under The Nelson Trust umbrella, from day one of abstinence through to long-term recovery – including employment opportunities – we provide support to ensure that recovery is achievable, and sustainable.’ The trust also has three move-on recovery houses and alongside this five community projects as part of its hub enterprises, including the Hub Academy, The Sober Parrot and The Clean Plate cafes, offering accredited training, peer-led initiatives and pathways to
employment, alongside regular recovery social events.
‘ We’ ve learned that having a job and learning new skills can make a real difference in someone’ s recovery journey,’ said Hub Academy lead Beanie Cooke.‘ Our Hub Enterprises create opportunities for people to gain hands-on experience and build confidence and skills, whether that’ s through catering or other practical work. Volunteering
Pictured: The Sober Parrot in Cheltenham is the Nelson Trust’ s not-for-profit café and dry bar dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive space for everyone, especially those in recovery from drug and alcohol use.
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