History

The Trust was established as a registered charity (No. 1056672) in 1985 near Stroud in Gloucestershire, founded by Mary and Roy Brash. From humble beginnings at a time when abstinence-based treatment was relatively new in this country, the Trust has grown steadily in both size and scope, providing a comprehensive range of services and facilities for an ever-increasing and ever more complex client group.

In 1996 the Trust carried out a focused needs analysis of the client group, both in treatment and post treatment, and embarked on a development programme of services that could be integrated within an Individual Care Plan, tailored to the needs of individual clients. The Nelson Trust is a flagship rehabilitation centre, able to support even the most challenging of clients to full recovery.  Growth over this period has seen the organisation's treatment capacity increase from ten clients per year to over 150. The Trust also provides resettlement and aftercare services for approximately 100 people per year. Staff numbers have increased during this time from seven to 51, including full and part time workers, which is equivalent to 37 full time workers.

From a single site in 1996, the Trust's premises now include eight client accommodation houses, the Treatment centre, the Education centre and two administrative buildings. The treatment programme takes place within the Treatment Centre, an old Victorian school building, which is within five minutes' walk of all treatment residential accommodation.

The Nelson Trust now has one of the most comprehensive programmes available in the UK.