Skip over main navigation
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Foundation for Change
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • Instagram
Shop Donate
Menu
  • Who We Are
    • About us
    • Our manifesto
    • Our supporters
  • What we do
    • Who we work with
    • How we work
    • Our courses
    • FAQs
  • Our impact
    • The difference we make
    • Our graduates
    • Reports & publications
  • Clothing for Change
  • Support us
    • Feminism for Change Campaign
    • Become a partner
    • Other ways to get involved
  • Media
    • Latest news
    • Videos
    • Blog
    • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • How we work

How we work

Our approach

We support people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction to develop healthy relationships with themselves, set out and achieve their goals, and grow in confidence and self-esteem. We help them work on skills such as establishing trust, personal boundaries, critical thinking, problem-solving, dealing with challenging situations, and personal responsibility and accountability.

We do this through our courses that primarily teach psychology, philosophy and feminism to help people make sense of their life experiences and the world around them. Our trainees are encouraged to apply theory to themselves and live what they learn.  

Our courses vary in length and intensity but the common principle behind each is our belief in the transformative power of education. This isn't such a radical idea. However, teaching people theory that allows them to understand their own experiences in a wider social context is what sets us apart from existing treatment.

How we're different

We do not use theory or therapeutic approaches to diagnose or pathologize the individual. We teach it to enable people to make sense of their life experiences themselves, develop deeper emotional relationships and understand the wider world around them.

Using education as a foundation for individual and social change draws on a vibrant tradition of radical teaching approaches. This recognises the power of people coming together to relate their individual experiences to wider inequalities.

"FfC showed me not only that I CAN learn, but how much I love learning." - Micky

THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF EDUCATION

We believe that anyone can learn anything. The how something is delivered is just as important as what the thing is. We work with people who are often terrified about entering a learning environment because of their poor experiences of education and beliefs about their inability to learn. We have developed an approach to presenting sophisticated theory in a way that is accessible, engaging, and often irreverent. Participants are not only able to benefit from the content of what is being taught, but also experience a crucial shift in identity about their ability to learn. 

"I didn't feel like I was being treated for my addiction. I felt like I was taught about it." - Gina

THE PRACTICAL BIT

People are primarily referred onto courses by professionals working in drug and alcohol services. Past graduates recommend us highly and many people self-refer, having heard about us by word of mouth.

All of our courses are free to the people who attend them and we are usually able to reimburse travel costs. This is made possible through funding we receive from our supporters, grants and individual donations.

For further information about referrals and how to apply for a place, please get in touch

Published: 25th January, 2019

Updated: 3rd June, 2020

Author: Bob Bharij

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Social Inequality Handout

    Social Inequality Handout

  • 17. Making Sense of... Social Inequality

    17. Making Sense of... Social Inequality

  • Making Sense of... a participant's experience

    Making Sense of... a participant's experience

    How our podcast and seminars helped one participant see their history with addiction in a completely new way

  • Psychology for Change Online

    Psychology for Change Online

    The online adaptation of our flagship course

Most read

  • DIY Mask Project

    DIY Mask Project

    Paper patterns and a step by step guide to make your own mask. No sewing needed.

  • Our story

    Our story

    Find out about what led to the creation of Foundation for Change

  • Clothing for Change: The Course

    Clothing for Change: The Course

    Our social enterprise style project and clothing brand

  • The difference we make

    The difference we make

    Why the work we do matters

  • The team

    The team

    Meet the Foundation for Change team

  • The brand

    The brand

    Clothing with a conscience

  • Manifesto

    Manifesto

    CHANGING THE WAY WE TACKLE DRUG & ALCOHOL ADDICTION

  • Our supporters

    Our supporters

    Organisations we work with

  • Donate Now

    Donate Now

    HELP US CHANGE LIVES

  • The trustees

    The trustees

    Learn a little about our trustees

Sign up for our newsletter

Find us

Registered Office
119 Shoreditch High Street
London
E1 6JN

+44 (0)20 3490 1818
[email protected]

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • Instagram

Charity Number: 1156575