RECOVERING alcoholics and drug addicts will soon have the support of a dedicated rehab centre in Warwickshire.
Leamington-based ESH Works Ltd has been awarded £545,000 by Public Health England to continue its work with recovering addicts and their families. It is hoped the new centre could be operational before the end of the year.
The non-profit organisation was founded by three recovering addicts more than a decade ago and employs people who have experience of recovering from addiction as they believe it the best way to help them overcome their issues.
The grant recognises and builds on the ‘significant contribution’ ESH has already made in helping people on the road to recovery and the majority of the funding will go towards the cost of a building to house the rehab facility.
Although a site has not yet been identified, it is hoped the centre will eventually act as a focal point allowing the development of a ‘recovery community’ across the county, with a programme delivered by volunteers, mentors and professional staff currently in recovery, who will be able to pass on their own experiences of addiction.
Chief executive Paul Urmston told the Observer: “This will give us the opportunity to expand our current peer led support will give us the ability to bring clients into a safe and peaceful environment allowing us to work more closely with them and their families to focus on their sustained recovery in the local community.
“People with addiction problems in Warwickshire who have been assessed as needing drug and alcohol rehabilitation support would currently get a placement approved at a rehab unit somewhere outside of the county because we don’t have one locally.
“Feedback from service users who had been out of county to a residential rehab and who came back to Warwickshire actually felt there was no continuity for themselves or their families when they returned.
“A local residential rehab facility in Warwickshire would provide that continuity and stability for clients and families during their stay in rehab and perhaps more importantly, when the clients leave the rehab it can provide the local aftercare and support to sustain their recovery.
Warwickshire County Council leader, Izzi Seccombe, said ESH Works had already made a significant impact in people’s recovery
She added: “ESH Works not only prides itself on their vast amount of knowledge, understanding and skills required to face addictive behaviour, but they also believe people can be helped best by those who have first-hand experience of those problematic issues.
“We look forward to seeing this investment continue to benefit our community in the future.”
