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)
  • Manifesto

Manifesto

Situation

We created Foundation for Change because we repeatedly saw and heard that the drug and alcohol treatment system was desperately failing those it was intending to help.

UK services are seriously under-funded, over-saturated and increasingly unsustainable given pressures on public finances. Operating in anything but firefighting mode to address escalating problems means that the roots of the problems – the addiction only being one aspect - are never addressed and frequently reoccur.

The latter stages of treatment – aftercare and employment support in particular – have borne the brunt of cuts to funding. Individuals are exiting treatment having stopped the drugs or alcohol without having a clear idea of what caused their addiction in the first place. Given ever-shortening treatment times, people are leaving not being equipped to live in the world without the crutch of their substances.

Unsurprisingly, relapse rates are high and a revolving door culture exists that comes at a significant cost to society.

To the individuals themselves, who feel they are unable to sustain their recovery, there is a personal sense of failure, defectiveness, shame and helplessness that is reinforced with each relapse. These are the feelings that keep people excluded from society.

Our response

We believe a significant change is needed.

We have an evidence-based approach crafted over a ten year period. It emphasises the need for people with histories of drug or alcohol addiction to be able to make sense of their experiences, understand the reasons they were using substances problematically in the first place and develop the resilience needed to live in an increasingly challenging world.

Our approach uses applied psychology, philosophy and feminist theory to help people understand the root causes of their addiction not just from the perspective of personal experience, but – importantly – within the wider context of social inequality. Both of these have a powerful, de-stigmatising effect and help people let go of much of the shame they carry about their pasts.

We do not know of anywhere else that looks at addiction in this way

"FfC brought me into contact with ideas, psychological models, a view of myself and a sense of hope in a way that no psychiatrist, rehab, keyworker or therapist had ever done." - Sandra

Learn more about our courses. 

Published: 28th September, 2018

Updated: 16th January, 2020

Author:

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 brand

    The brand

    Clothing with a conscience

  • Manifesto

    Manifesto

    CHANGING THE WAY WE TACKLE DRUG & ALCOHOL ADDICTION

  • Donate Now

    Donate Now

    HELP US CHANGE LIVES

  • The team

    The team

    Meet the Foundation for Change team

  • The trustees

    The trustees

    Learn a little about our trustees

  • Our supporters

    Our supporters

    Organisations we work with

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