The road to Nottingham’s alcohol and drug recovery- with Double Impact!

Exeid commercial property are delighted to welcome our new clients, Double Impact, in to Stanford House based in Nottingham’s city centre. Double Impact has been serving the local community for over 15 years. The organisation is flourishing through giving people with drug and alcohol problems the chance and tools necessary to change their lives for the better. Founded in Nottingham’s YMCA building by a past user, Double Impact steps in to help break the cycle of addiction by providing a range of services, including:

• One-to-one support
• Group sessions and courses to build self-esteem
• Housing support
• Specialist debt advice
• Volunteering experience and advice for family members

                    With the impact of their work reaching far beyond those that they directly help, the recovery process consequently relieves distress from family members and friends. This also reduces the burden upon local health, social care and criminal justice services. To mark their 15-year anniversary, I met with Double Impacts’ Richard Atkinson to find out more about the organisation. So Richard, please tell me a little about Double Impacts’ past? “Double Impact was founded in 1998 by a past user. He sought to create opportunities for others wanting to integrate back into a more balanced and working lifestyle. We’ve grown from 1 to 50 staff members. We’re happy to be carrying on his vision”. And where are you now? “We’re continually working hard to strengthen our service offering. We’ve recently won a contract, collaborating with the NHS, Framework and Bac-In. The program will deliver a new drug treatment system. Working in partnership, the program will be housed under one roof, also working alongside the county council. We’re thrilled to be a part of this project”. That sounds exciting. What are your future plans? “We have lots of exciting plans in the pipeline. Alongside developing the new treatment system mentioned above, we have “The Recovery Ball” on Friday June 21st 2013. Our special guest, Mitch Winehouse, will also be performing with his band on the night alongside being a guest speaker. Double Impact is also hosting a charity golf event on Thursday September 12th. Hopefully the weather stays dry!” Click here to find out more on how to obtain a ticket for both events. Another key project that we’re working on is to open an Alcohol free bar in Nottingham’s city centre. Hopefully this will be completed around Christmas. A percentage the people employed there will be on our recovery scheme. It will act as a fantastic platform for integration back into society. We couldn’t be happier about that”.

                    We’re glad to hear that the future looks so promising! Can you tell me about what you’d consider to be Double Impacts biggest success? “Alongside helping the amount of people that we have through our programs, one of our biggest successes is winning the previously discussed contract alongside the NHS and others. It will provide a wealth of opportunities to reach out and help more people. It is also a privilege to carry on the dream and vision of Double Impacts’ founder”. What would you say has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? “There are two key ongoing challenges for us – firstly having to compete with huge national organisations in order to continue to provide the services we are so proud of in our local area. So far we have successfully managed to fend off the ‘big guys’! – And secondly, changing the publics and the media’s often negative perceptions of people with drug and alcohol problems by sharing the inspiring true stories behind the headlines”. Click here If you would like to find out more information on Double Impact, their future plans and how they might be able to help you or a loved one.