Entertainer Brand: Let’s find the next Richard Branson in Brum
RUSSELL Brand has lauded a Birmingham charity which gets people off drink and drugs and into jobs – and is putting his money where his mouth is.
Brand, or “rustyrockets” as he is better known on Twitter, has become the official patron of Changes UK.
The charity launched a dry bar in Digbeth earlier this year and the comedian-turned-actor has become personal friends with the charity’s founder, Steve Dixon.
Brand said: “Changes has a new and exciting approach to recovery which starts with getting people off drugs and ends with them becoming entrepreneurs. There will be less junkies in Birmingham and more Richard Bransons. Surely that’s a good thing?”
Brand has pledged to raise the organisation’s profile through social media and by appearing at three events over the next 12 months. Changes UK helps more than 300 people beat their addiction every year and ploughed £1 million into the Recovery Central dry bar, which serves no alcohol. Mr Dixon said: “I first met him at an event two years ago and he seemed genuinely interested in our different approach to tackling addiction – by giving people aspirations, skills and the training they need to stay clean whilst going through recovery. He turned up as a surprise guest at our Recovery Central launch in May and spoke to service users and other delegates about his own experiences and how he faced his own struggles.
“During the tour of the centre he agreed to be our first official patron, but even I have been surprised by his level of commitment. He’s regularly on the phone talking to me about our plans and we’ve both come up with some exciting ideas for fundraising in 2017.”
The launch event takes place on Saturday, with Brand hosting a special evening of reflection and entertainment at the Hilton Metropole.
Changes UK provides a detox service, community-based re-habilitation and opportunities to gain accredited qualifications, volunteering and work experience.