VISION

A society where people with histories of trauma live with dignity and are able to fulfil their potential. 

MISSION

Using the transformative power of learning, we challenge how addiction and other responses to social inequality are addressed at an individual and systemic level. 

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Sustaining recovery through systemic thinking

We are dedicated to working with individuals who have endured systemic oppression and discrimination, which often leads to deep and complex trauma, hindering their ability to thrive. Substance use is one of many coping responses, yet many mainstream treatment services fail to address the root causes, particularly the profound connections between a person’s substance use and the social, economic, political, and cultural systems that shape people's lives.

We work in-depth with individuals who are nearing the end of or have completed treatment for their substance use. We focus on this transitional stage, supporting individuals to explore the roots of their substance use and redefine their identities and aspirations through participation on our educational courses. This builds a solid foundation for long-term recovery and reintegration into society.

We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to flourish and has the right to have access to knowledge and wisdom that nurture personal growth. Furthermore, we believe that for sustainable recovery - and ultimately true social inclusion - to occur, it is crucial that individuals understand their ‘problems’ as systemic and not individual. 

Embedded in all areas of our work is the Foundation for Change Approach - our asset-based, power-informed and power-sharing methodology that sees, hears and respects people as the capable and resilient adults they are. Experiencing this supports the shift from people seeing themselves as ‘addicts’, ‘victims’ or ‘service-users’ to simply people. This transformation is a crucial first step towards living with dignity and fulfilling their potential.

We plan to replicate our unique approach in future, extending it to other sectors where individuals often struggle during the transition from services to society, such as those leaving prison, mental health services, or homelessness services. Our goal is to provide these individuals with the support needed to achieve better outcomes and build better futures for themselves and their families.

“The organisation fills a crucial gap within the sector by combining education of self with insights into the oppressive and complex political systems that fuel addiction and discrimination. This empowers participants not only to better understand themselves and their experiences of the world, but also to access education in a way that traditional systems do not accommodate. It is no surprise that FFC's participants show higher recovery rates than average, as FFC fosters a sense of value, self-worth, and community. After spending seven years researching addiction recovery on a global scale- I can honestly say that what FFC offers is one of the most impressive and genuine interventions available.” - Funder