Addiction centre marks 65 years of support

A rehabilitation centre has marked 65 years of supporting people in their recovery from addiction.

Gloucester House in Highworth, Wiltshire hosts a 12 week residential programme for men recovering from alcohol and drug addiction in the Swindon area and beyond.

Christopher Peace completed the programme after struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and now supports others at the facility, which is run by the Salvation Army.

He said: "When I was sitting on a park bench and had nowhere to go and nothing to do, wondering where I was going to sleep that night, it just seemed unbelievable. My life has changed dramatically in 14 months."

Jason Rall, specialist support worker in Gloucester House, says the facility has made "everything worthwhile"

He added: "It's a life beyond my wildest dreams to be honest, and my future is bright, very bright."

Gloucester House, just off Highworth's high street, provides a faith-based approach to lasting sobriety and aimed to give people the chance to catch their breath in special therapeutic gardens.

The residence provides activities "tailored to preparing somebody for when they leave", and access to councillors for men to discuss their feelings around addiction.

Deborah Toomey, the Swindon service manager who oversees Gloucester House, said: "By the end of that 12 weeks, you just see a complete change in somebody, you see them engaging in conversations, you see them supporting the new people that come in.

'Purpose'

"Gloucester House has been long-standing, I think it's a credit to Swindon that we have been here.

"Locally there's not a lot of rehab opportunities, to have Gloucester House is a blessing."

The facility also promotes volunteering opportunities with local organisations such as Highworth's Amateur Dramatic Society and the town's charity shops.

Jason Rall works as a specialist support worker in Gloucester House after completing his own rehab in a similar facility elsewhere.

He said his new role gave him a purpose again after losing "everything worthwhile" in his life, including his job and a relationship, to addiction.

Mr Rall added: "Supporting other people that are still in active addiction or looking to go on the journey of recovery, is a purpose in itself."