Our impact

Our impact

Our aim is to support people to overcome problems and disadvantages in their lives and to achieve their goals and ambitions.

We seek to achieve this through exceptional services that encourage and empower people to become the drivers of their own recovery. Our aims is to equip people with the knowledge to manage their own long-term wellbeing and the skills and motivation to take control of their lives and tackle their problems.

Measuring success

We measure our success in a number of ways. Some of our achievements can be measured objectively – such as reductions in crime and drug use: others are harder to measure – and include increased wellbeing, improved family relationships and so on.

Key measures of success include: better health, freedom from addiction, reduced criminal activity and antisocial behaviour, reduced pressure on social, health and criminal justice services as well as seeing individuals acquire the skills and confidence to gain qualifications and get involved in volunteering or paid employment.

• Last year we provided treatment services to 52,744 adults with opiate addictions and 14,775 adults with non-opiate substance misuse problems.
• We helped over 17,000 people beat their addiction. We did this through interventions targeting physical and mental health and supporting people to build healthier, positive lives.

Physical health

Providing clean needles, vaccinations and health information to service users reduces the risk of them contracting and transmitting serious diseases, like Hepatitis B&C and HIV / AIDS, which eases the burden on health services. It also provides an opportunity to engage service users in treatment programmes. Last year:

• We gave clinical support and information to over a quarter of a million service users at risk of contracting Hepatitis C.
• Nearly 4,000 service users were vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
• Our needle exchanges gave out advice and support 44,155 times.
• 6 out of 10 service users said their physical health had improved by the time they had finished treatment with us.*

Mental health

The link between addiction and mental health has been well established. By addressing a mental health condition right at the start of treatment, we’re giving service users a much better chance of staying in recovery and not needing further interventions in the future. Last year:

• We provided treatment programmes to over 8,500 service users with a mental health condition.
• 7 out of 10 service users said their psychological health had improved by the time they had finished treatment with us.*

Healthy lifestyle

Educating service users on health and nutrition reduces the risk they’ll develop long-term health problems, delivering cost savings to the NHS. It also supports the development of families and communities that are health aware, fostering a culture of healthy living and wellbeing. Last year:

• We gave expert health and welling advice in our services last year including an extensive programme of activity clubs such as cookery classes, football and exercise.
• Many of our services gave out free gym and sports passes, and offered access to complementary therapies, such as acupuncture.

Meaningful lives

Our Peer Mentor and volunteer training programmes give service users vital skills and experience in a competitive job market. Training also gives them a purpose and a focus which helps keep them in recovery. Last year:

• More than 500 service users completed accredited training with us.
• We set up five social enterprises in collaboration with service users, providing job opportunities and supporting local communities.
• 7 out of 10 service users said their quality of life had improved by the time they finished treatment with us.*

Safer communities

Drug-fuelled crime impacts on the lives of thousands of victims each year, as well as costing the UK £13.9 billion†. Our work treating the addictions of offenders and supporting them back into the community benefits each and every one of us, in fewer crimes and safer streets. Last year:

• We worked directly in 7 prisons and secure units.
• Nearly 7 out of 10 service users, who were identified as being at risk of harming themselves, or someone else during treatment, were at measurably less risk of causing harm at a later stage in their treatment.
• Nearly 9 out of 10 service users who were offending when they joined us, had stopped offending by the time they left.*

Key

*Based on self-assessment.

† Costs of class A drug-related crime for the year 2003/4. Estimate from the Home Office.