Celebrating 25 years of Addiction Treatment

The Nelson Trust (formerly known as The Nelson House Recovery Trust) began simply as a good idea in 1985 when the founders, Mary and Roy Brash, decided to open Gloucestershire’s first residential centre for addiction treatment.

They invested their life savings into the 18th century ex-hostelry, which, with a certain irony, still has the words ‘Nelson Inn’ and ‘Stroud Ales’ etched on the side of the building. In 1987, when abstinence-based treatment was relatively new in this country, the Nelson Trust was established as a registered charity.

The Trust swiftly became a great success. In its early days, it undoubtedly saved the lives of many people. However, Mary and Roy recognized that attending a treatment programme is just the first stage of recovery. They wanted to offer their clients on-going support after leaving treatment, but of course more funds were needed to make this happen. Thanks to tireless fundraising, the Trust was then able to set up a local “minimum support” house, where clients could continue to receive guidance and support while finding work and living more independently. As the Trust’s reputation went from strength to strength, waiting lists grew longer. More fundraising resulted in increased accommodation and, despite the challenges of a national recession, demand for treatment remained high.  

From a single site in 1996, the Trust's premises have expanded considerably. These now include four treatment houses (one for women only), four resettlement houses, the Education and Training Centre and two administrative buildings. The treatment programme takes place at the Treatment Centre, a Victorian building within five minutes' walk of all residential accommodation.

Since its inception, the Trust continues to grow steadily in size and scope. It has always striven to develop and enhance its services to meet the changing needs of clients, both during and after treatment. We regularly seek feedback to ensure that we offer one of the most comprehensive treatment programmes in the UK. The Trust began with two qualified counsellors; one trainee; nine treatment places and 24 clients per annum. We now have 54 full-time equivalent employees; 41 treatment places; 23 resettlement accommodation beds; 8 day treatment clients; 150 treatment clients; 100 resettlement and daycare clients per annum.

In April 2008 the government released its ten-year drug strategy, announcing a desire to see young people and their families making drug-free choices. We identified this need many years ago, following extensive client consultation. We have already established a highly successful family service and developed a young people’s programme.

Everyone should be given a chance – or a second chance - in life. Our priority is to offer high quality care and services to vulnerable people, equipping them with hope, courage and confidence to face the world.