Many service users  find that keeping busy with fun activities not only helps them on their recovery journeys, but it enables them to make new friends and provide mutual peer support, learn new skills and build their self- confidence and esteem.

However, previous chaotic lives and dependency on the benefits system means that few service users can afford leisure activities, this is exacerbated by government funding for drug and alcohol recovery services not stretching to providing materials for such activities.

Currently we have a gardening group where service users volunteer to keep the grounds and gardens of Strickland House well maintained, but TACT needs to provide protective clothing, tools and consumables to keep the group running.  Service users who have been enjoying working within this group have strengthened skills in team-working as well as  taking pride in surroundings and being able to undertake minor repairs and fence painting, etc,  They have also learnt more about  horticulture.  They have experienced the joy of seeing plants grow and blossom, or provide food.  They have also learnt more about the environment and how seemingly small actions can contribute to reducing individual carbon footprints.  We would like to move on so that our group can use their new found gardening skills to produce goods to fund raise to ensure the group becomes self-sustainable.  Such activities include: 

We also run Arts and Craft Groups, where service users are encouraged to try various different arts and crafts:

For these groups we need a 'Kick-Start' fund to buy the initial equipment and materials and in some cases fees and expenses for tutors or trainers.  As for the gardening group, the aim will be for the Arts Group to become self-sustainable by producing goods for sale to raise funds.