Rehabit

News and More

Honoured to meet HRH Princess Royal

On 14 January, we were privileged to be guests of Cranfield Trust at their 35th anniversary event and honoured to be introduced to their patron, HRH The Princess Royal.

We were one of 10 small charities selected to attend the event to showcase our work and to acknowledge achieving Cranfield Trust’s Journey to Excellence Recognition Badge, awarded for our progress in turning round a struggling charity, establishing a clear and sound business plan, and helping more beneficiaries.

Small charities are the backbone of our society, delivering trusted and essential services relied upon by millions of people every day of the year. Yet now, more than ever, with mounting pressure and demands, their services and survival are under threat.

Sean Robinson, Rehabit CEO, said: “It’s brutal out there at moment, with many grant organisations closing down and even more charities seeking funds from a diminishing pot. Working with Cranfield Trust helped us to plan more clearly and make the best out of the resources we have – and make more confident decisions.”

Dave Smith, chair of trustees, said: “It was very rewarding to be acknowledged for the work we do helping vulnerable people struggling with drugs and alcohol. We will do our best to remain resilient and are committed to making sure Rehabit can continue to help people for many years to come.”

Big thank you!

Big thanks to TK Maxx and Homesense Foundation who recently donated £500 as part of their Community Fund where employees nominate a charity of their choice.

And thank you to the anonymous donor who generously made a contribution in lieu of sending flowers for the funeral.

Rehabit AGM in June 2025

This is notice that our AGM will be held between 19.30-20.30 on Tuesday 3 June 2025. This year it will be an online video meeting. If anyone wishes to attend, please contact sean.robinson@rehabit.uk for access details.

Union Chapel drop-in

Sean and Garry attended their first community drop-in session at Union Chapel in Islington to mingle and chat to those interested in talking about drug and alcohol problems. Hopefully, this will be the first of many visits.

Peer supporters wanted

We are always looking for peer supporter volunteers with lived experience of addiction to join our team. This role is critical to our service and the best way for clients to connect with us. We are particularly looking for volunteers to meet with our clients or who can be regular attendees (weekly or monthly) at some of the community events in Islington such as drop-ins, food banks and so on. Contact sean.robinson@rehabit.uk to discuss.

National Lottery and Partners for Health grants provide lifeline for addiction recovery

Grants from the National Lottery Community Fund and Partners for Health (a union of London Catalyst and the Hospital Saturday Fund) are making a massive difference to those who need our help. 

The Partners for Health grant has provided funds for our much-needed counselling service that helps those struggling with drugs and alcohol to find abstinence. These are often people who are falling through the cracks in society or stuck in the system. 

We offer up to 26-weeks of counselling for clients, who also get partnered with one of our peer supporters with lived experience of addiction. 

Money from the National Lottery Community Fund supports our counselling efforts and the costs needed to run the charity on a daily basis. As we start to get bigger, albeit cautiously, our running costs are also increasing.

Sean Robinson, CEO, said: “I’m so grateful for these grants. They are our lifeline and mean we can continue to keep helping those struggling with drugs and alcohol – a desperate existence – to find productive and fulfilling lives.”.

Journey to excellence

We are pleased to have been granted a Cranfield Trust Journey to Excellence badge for our work with them to establish a charity that is committed to being the best if possibly can. It’s been great working with them and their brilliant volunteer management consultant.

St George’s residents’ session

Sean and Garry ran a well-received addiction awareness training session for residents at St George’s on Camden Road, part of Richmond Fellowship.

We’re looking for a patron

We’re still looking for a patron to be a figurehead for our charity and to help further our presence in the community and generate even more interest in our services. If you’re interested or know someone who is, please contact sean.robinson@rehabit.uk

Busting the myths of addiction

Sean and Garry are available to run addiction training and awareness sessions for your team meetings or clients. We can tailor the session to your needs. They are particularly useful for those who deal with clients struggling with drugs or alcohol. The training is free for the public sector and charities but we ask for a contribution from corporates. If interested, please contact sean.robinson@rehabit.uk

Community presence

We are endeavouring to reach more people in the community and identify those who will benefit from our peer support and counselling. We already have some community drop-in sessions planned at community centres, hostels and foodbanks and are looking for more opportunities. If you know of a community event that you’d like us to attend or talk at, please contact sean.robinson@rehabit.uk

Rehabit event coming in the New Year

In February/March 2025, Rehabit will be hosting our own community event in Islington. There’ll be lots of information to help those struggling with drugs and alcohol and some workshops and fun stuff too from some of our partners. More on this soon.