“I don’t have the junkie label anymore. I’m a mum of three. I had learnt to commit to recovery – now I’ve learnt to commit to a career. I’ve got my first month’s wage this morning. I can pay my rent for the first time!” - Michelle, Addaction client and NEXT project graduate.
Many of the people Addaction help, who have come through drug and alcohol treatment and are on the road to recovery, want to reintegrate back into society. Employment and financial independence are vital steps in this process - providing stability and security as a platform to rebuild their lives and bring their families back together again.
However, the reality for many of our clients is that they face multiple barriers to a more productive future: they often have no qualifications, poor communication skills, lack of organisational skills, scant work history, no employment experience and no references. When these are combined with a lack of confidence and self esteem as well as frequent physical and mental health problems, they can be huge barriers to overcome.
At Addaction we know that the likelihood of overcoming these obstacles is greatly increased if dedicated support is offered to enable personal development and facilitate opportunities to train and work while they are still in treatment.
And that is where Addaction’s NEXT Programme can help. It provides personal development and training to people who have been through drug and alcohol treatment services and want to rebuild their lives so that they are active contributors to the community.
The NEXT project is a 12 week course that is designed to prepare people for further courses, volunteering or for entry back into work by improving self confidence and creating a positive self perception among a group that is often lacking in self esteem.
“NEXT have helped me to gain the confidence to speak to groups
and look people in the eye” - Steve, Addaction client
80% of those entering the NEXT project are ex-offenders and may have been homeless at some point in their lives. We know that by helping them to re-engage with society, will decrease the likelihood of relapse and reduce the risk of re-offending by half.
The NEXT project is unique in that it provides a structured programme of training and work experience at the vulnerable period between leaving treatment and moving on where there is a high chance of relapse. Addaction believes that these people need help to rebuild their lives and fulfil their potential if they are to leave their addictions behind for good. The NEXT project is just one step towards helping someone turn their life around.
“I was in prison last year on drug-related charges. All I was concerned about was how I was going to get out and go back to my drug habit. I don’t think I would have made it this far had it not been for the project” - Micky, NEXT Project Graduate.
The aim is to recruit those people who will be able to gain from the process, people who have the potential but need the confidence. All participants have to go through a selection process to gain a place on the heavily over subscribed project.
Since it has been running 90% of the NEXT project graduates have gone into paid employment, volunteering or further education. But the demand for places far outstrips the number we can actually provide. There is currently a five month waiting time to enrol in the project and that is why I am writing to you today.
We would like to be able to offer places on the NEXT project to those who need them, but we simply cannot afford to do it alone.
By making a donation of £25 today you can help us offer life changing training and support so that people recovering from addiction have the skills to build a brighter future for them and their family, free from the cycle of drug and alcohol misuse and dependency on financial support.
Please make a gift today, of whatever you can afford – it really can make a difference in helping fund the vital work that can transform the lives of these people and their families.
Thank you.
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Note: Currently, the NEXT programme has a very limited number of places and can only accept applications from people in the London boroughs of Greenwich, Harrow, Islington and Wandsworth.
If you’d like to apply for a place on Addaction’s NEXT programme, you can find out more here.