Darren Parry (Salford Manager)
Here at THOMAS in Salford we pride ourselves on delivering a holistic model, we know that those accessing our service need support in all aspects of their lives and not simply around addiction and alcoholism. THOMAS believes in helping people build their social capital, the more positive aspects people have in their lives the less likely they are to revisit their past lives of addiction.
We run a full five day programme here at THOMAS Salford which ranges from 12 Step group work to outdoor activities and even music. The programme is run from our recovery hub based in Lower Broughton; we named the recovery hub (S.H.A.R.E) because we believe that we are delivering a unique service; the very name S.H.A.R.E means Salford Holistic Alternative Recovery Experience.
OUR VISION
The vision for the recovery hub is that it becomes one of many self sustainable social enterprises run by the very people accessing and using it. We intend to open S.H.A.R.E as a cafe early next year, we will train and employ a number of people so that they are able to move forward with their lives. We are also intending to run a job club and art club from the recovery hub; not only is it open to the clients residing within the project but also the community clients that we support.
Recently we have also started a bike project that recycles unwanted bikes in the Salford area. Clients within the project access and complete bike maintenance training and then volunteer their time in restoring bikes that have been donated, these bikes are then donated back to the community, whether its schools, probation or even just the immediate neighbourhood.
A recent success with this project concerned local children who had been vandalising the local community, THOMAS facilitated a Restorative Justice meeting with the children and their parents in partnership with the local community police. THOMAS then provided a positive focus for the children through their attendance of bike project. The children were given full bike maintenance training and then expected to attend one afternoon a week for six weeks, needless to say the vandalism stopped.
SELF ESTEEM
THOMAS is also very passionate about education. We recognise that education is a great self esteem and confidence builder, furthermore people accessing our service have generally had poor experiences with education and get into the mind set that they can’t learn or simply don’t even want to try. With the help of the Adult Learning centre and the Broughton Trust THOMAS challenges that way of thinking and teaches those accessing our service in Salford that they can and will achieve.
THOMAS believes that in providing this service clients will be more equipped at deal with life on life’s terms. To add the team at Salford know from the clients they work with increasing employability skills is something that the clients are really committed to. The courses that are run are fully accredited. Additionally most of our clients go on to complete higher grades in what ever it is that interests them, this is because the courses that are run at the project are well balanced and enjoyable. We teach people that they can succeed and learn new skills.
TAKING RISKS
With great success THOMAS in Salford has run for the first time an outdoor activity course. Every other Friday client’s within the project and the community go out and push their own personal boundaries and limits. In a safe and controlled environment clients experience probably for the first time in their lives activities such as rock climbing, gorge walking, orienteering & map reading, abseiling, canoeing and three day excursions in the Lake District.
Clients are taught new skills in relation to team building exercises and communication. The course designed to enhance health and social skills however is focused on providing the environment where the development of hobbies and interests can flourish.
As stated earlier THOMAS is passionate about providing the correct environment were people can develop their own social capital. Abstinent recovery isn’t simply about recovering from addiction or alcoholism. Sometimes people need to recover from life itself and the experiences they have had. THOMAS in Salford believes that those who have suffered from addiction need help in all areas of their lives which is why our Holistic program covers so many areas.
An added value to the programme is the band SOULFORD. The band was formed around eight months ago. All its members are in recovery and free from drug and alcohol abuse. Currently there are five clients and one staff member involved in the band. Clients who are in the band learnt to play guitars at the music class that the project provides every Saturday afternoon.
Music is very therapeutic to our clients. The band brings them together every Friday afternoon for practice and so far they have played at a number of recovery venues throughout the North West including The Brink in Liverpool and the Café Hub Darwen.
I’ve had issues with drink and drugs for 10 years. THOMAS has given me the opportunity to rebuild my life. Drinking and drugs took over. I’ve got the opportunity to give something back to the community. Without THOMAS I wouldn’t have thought
it was possible.
The programme at THOMAS helps you understand why you’ve been drinking and taking drugs, and the behaviours. It’s good being part of a community. We help each other through difficult times. If there are things going on that day, that we’re struggling with, we help one another to find a solution to it.
If we weren’t open and honest with one another we wouldn’t be able to do so. It’s a good thing that we can do that