IMPACT REPORT 2023-2024

Providing hope and better lives

We serve marginalised groups, reaching over 66,000 individuals in the past five years, including 26,369 last year. Our operations cover nearly 8 million people in the South West and Wales, underscoring our commitment to inclusivity. As a forward-thinking and fast-moving organisation, we are steadfastly values-driven. Our actions consistently align with our mission to drive positive change and innovate solutions for our communities.
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Our Services

Graham England

Graham England Chief Executive Officer

Message from CEO

This year, we reached over 25,000 individuals in the South West of England and Wales, marking significant growth. Our Specialist Housing Support (SHS) service in Bristol saw successful implementation, aiding clients in acquiring safe accommodation and sustaining tenancies during drug and alcohol treatment. Additionally, we secured a contract for 15 self-contained properties in Bristol for a Housing First project, supporting individuals with histories of rough sleeping. Together with the Pathway 4 team, SHS and Housing First provide bespoke support to vulnerable members of society.

Our efforts to combat gambling harms within the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) have flourished. With structured interventions, we assisted over 1,700 gamblers and affected individuals, offering free, confidential psychosocial support. Our school education programmes expanded, and we extended our accredited L2 Qualification on gambling harms to new sectors and partners, enhancing accessibility to treatment nationwide.
Our Criminal Justice work increased by 50%, focusing on secure housing for prison leavers. Across all services, we prioritise life skills development, employment opportunities, and rebuilding social and family lives. Our executive team, comprising Andrew Ridley, Robbie Thornhill, and Helen Kovacs, remains dedicated to expanding our services. Our staff satisfaction rates are high, with 98% enjoying their job and 94% proud to work at Ara. Thank you to all who contribute to our mission of making a lasting impact on lives.

Beneficiary contact & access points

We have a whole system approach to our service provision from Community Early interventions, Structured Interventions through to Continuous Innervations. We do this by providing:

Early Interventions

  • Community Awareness
  • Advice, Information, and Guidance
  • Structured Intervention Access
  • Brief Interventions
  • Assessment

Structured interventions

  • Care Planned
  • 1:1 Talking Therapies
  • Group Work

Continuous Interventions

  • Recovery Management
  • Social Engagement
  • Peer Support
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Aspiring

We actively embody ambition on behalf of our clients, consistently pursuing the most innovative solutions to ensure the finest outcomes. Our team is driven by a purposeful commitment to effect meaningful change.

Homelessness:
Pathway 4

Ara are the lead provider for Bristol Homelessness Pathway 4. Our Housing Support Practitioners help clients to build recovery from drugs and alcohol, attain independence, and maintain stable housing. Clients are supported to engage with a range of initiatives including drug and alcohol treatment, training courses, access to employment, physical health activities, trauma counselling, cultural activities, developing lifeskills, rebuilding family connections and more.

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Drug and Alcohol recovery groups held across the pathway

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One-to-one trauma counselling sessions with trained counsellors

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Clients benefitted from community engagement activities

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Community engagement partnerships made throughout Bristol to benefit clients

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Clients housed in our recovery community accomodation

SUCCESS STORIES

Hear from individuals who have benefited from our housing service

“I never truly believed that I could find a way to overcome my addiction, as it felt like an insurmountable barrier in my life.”

MJ

Former Client

“With Ara's invaluable guidance and support, I was able to completely turn my life around and transform my circumstances for the better.”

JS

ETF Trader
 
“Ara provided the support I needed to reclaim my life.”

JD

Former Client

Gambling Treatment

Ara’s Gambling Harms Treatment Service provides support to anyone affected by gambling harms across Wales and the South West of England. The service includes free and confidential one-to-one counselling and resources for gamblers and affected others. We are a key partner in the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) with GambleAware.

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People received CBT and strength-based counselling

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Average pre-treatment wellbeing score

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Of clients were satisfied with the service they received

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Average post treatment wellbeing score

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Young people in south west England & Whales took part in our programmes to raise awarenes of gambling harms

SUCCESS STORIES

Hear from individuals who have benefited from our gambling service

“This service changed my life so much and I can’ t begin to explain how happy I am that I accessed this service. Before my therapy I was on a downward spiral heading towards depression. ”

Former Client
“I have found it all great. The supportive approach tailored to individual recovery needs and working with you has made such a difference”.
Former Client

Previous Impact Reports

Report: 2018-2019

Report: 2019-2020

Report: 2020-2021

Report: 2021-2022

Report: 2022-2023

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