Our history
The Nelson Trust has been dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing drug and alcohol use, trauma, involvement with the Justice System and other unmet needs for 40 years.
The following timeline demonstrates The Nelson Trust’s commitment to the ongoing development of trauma-informed recovery services:
1985
Addiction treatment charity established
The charity was first founded by Roy and Mary Brash for residential rehabilitation.
1996
Move On Support
Introduction of abstinence-based resettlement houses.
2004
Women’s Residential Services
We open our first women’s only residential treatment rehabilitation service, it’s one of the first in the UK offering gender-specific, evidence-based, trauma-informed programmes.
Our first women-only house was opened by Dr Stephanie Covington a pioneer in the field of addiction, trauma, and recovery.
2010
Gloucester Women’s Centre opens
With funding from the Ministry of Justice to work with female offenders in Gloucestershire, our women’s centre was opened to holistically support women in the community on probation orders, and as an alternative to custody using the nine pathway support model stated in the Corston Report (2007).
2013
Swindon Women’s Centre
The then Chief Officer of Swindon Probation Services, Liz Rijnenberg visited our Women’s Centre in Gloucester and was so impressed with the service that she commissioned us to replicate it by setting up a centre in Swindon.
2014
Rural Outreach
As an 18+ service, we wanted to support girls and young women at risk of entering into adult services. We developed an outreach service, providing 1:1 and group work programmes supporting girls and women (16-24) living in rural areas of Gloucestershire.
2015
The Recovery Enterprises
We open our recovery enterprise hub in Stroud which allows us to work even closer with our clients and offer them the support they need to live fulfilling lives post-treatment with us.
2018
SWOP Impact Report
An independent research report by Lancaster University showcased the impact our SWOP (Sex Worker Outreach Programme) had on women living in Gloucester, Swindon and Wiltshire.
2019
Somerset Women’s Centre
We started offering outreach to women in Somerset in 2017, with the areas own centre opening in Bridgwater in 2019, allowing us to reach more women throughout Somerset and the surrounding areas.
2020
Bristol Women’s Centre
Our Bristol Women’s Centre opens in 2020, offering community support to women in the city of Bristol and surrounding areas.
2021
Wales Women’s Centered Work
In 2021 we started working with women in Wales and soon opened our Cardiff Women’s Centre in 2022 in the heart of the City. From here we could reach women across the South of Wales and beyond.
2022
HMP Eastwood Park
We opened a first-of-its-kind women’s centre inside HMP Eastwood Park, allowing us to work with women through their journey in the criminal justice system and continue their support when they are released.
2023
Swansea Women’s Centre
We were already providing outreach services to our women in Swansea from our Cardiff Women’s Centre. The opening of this new centre provides these women with a safe and inviting place to access support.
2024
One Wales
We became the lead partner organisation for the ONE Wales service; a partnership of local organisations including bthechange, St Giles, Pact and Media Academy Cymru (MAC) working together to provide services to women and young adults across Wales. This lead to the opening of our Newport Women’s Centre and our Dyfed-Powys Hub.
