Support centre for addicts is set to expand
ARESIDENTIAL project which helps people tackle drug and alcohol addiction is expanding to cope with growing demand.
Reach Out And Recover (ROAR) is a notfor-profit organisation which provides safe and secure accommodation to help people tackle their problems.
It has run a nine-bed house on Churchside, in Macclesfield town centre, for the last two and a half years.
But now plans to open another house to try and help the 50 people on their waiting list.
Vicky Millward, one of ROAR’s four directors, said: “Macclesfield has problems with people with alcohol and drugs problems and homelessness.
“As well as local people needing help organisations - police, prisons, hospital, doctors - from all over the region are contacting us. We are fielding new requests every day. We simply just don’t have the space.”
Vicky, who has 20 years’ experience in drug and alcohol services, said the demand for ROAR is down to its success.
She said: “Three years ago what I was seeing was that people trying to quit drugs were leaving hospital or residential accommodation and ending up in hostels.
“To be able to tackle any addiction you need to be in a safe and secure environment.
“ROAR plugs that gap. But we only have space for nine people at one time, and they can stay for up to six months.
“There is a great need to expand what we offer, so we are planning another centre.”
ROAR works by offering help in two main stages over a two year programme.
First Step is at the secure accommodation where through talking therapies they begin to tackle the problems at the root of their behaviour.
Residents can later enter Next Step, one of six smaller houses in the town, where they live independently and continue with work experience, education and training.
Residents are also offered a structured schedule of activities including cooking and IT skills, volunteer opportunities in the community and sports such as football.
The aim then is to set up their own homes or rejoin their families.
Vicky said: “Those who access our service are shown compassion, given hope and a place where they can begin to believe in themselves.
“We empower people to take control of their lives.”
EMMA Louise Greenwood, 24, of River Street, Congleton, admitted failing to comply with a community order given for harassment in Macclesfield. She was fined £120.
JOSHUA Luke Hayes, 22, of Ivy Road, Macclesfield, admitted theft of cheese and bacon from Aldi. He was fined £80
JACK Anthony Rutter, 22, of Springfield Road, Macclesfield, admitted theft of household goods from Home Bargains. He was fined £80.
ANTHONY Beard, 41, of Range Court, Macclesfield, admitted breaching a court order for theft and theft of six DVDs from Tesco. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. He was also given 150 hours unpaid work and fined £250.
JUNAID Altaf, 33, of Cromwell Avenue, Manchester, admitted failing to comply with a red light on the Silk Road. He was fined £35 and banned from driving for six months.
NIGEL Hassall, 35, of Mill Street, Leek, admitted breaching a restraining order in Macclesfield. He was fined £120.
KEVIN Paul Sumner, 57, of Chester Road, Middlewich, admitted possession of amphetamine and breaching a conditional discharge. He was bailed to be sentenced on February 1.
CONTESSA Sara Di Sorrenti, 51, of Hobson Street, Macclesfield, was found guilty of breaching a non-molestation order. She was bailed for the sentence on February 8.
MARTIN Hahn, 53, of Paradise Street, Macclesfield, admitted harassment. He was bailed for sentence on February 8.
NICHOLAS Charles Hardwick, 41, of Nelson Street, Macclesfield, was found guilty in his absence of assault and using threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour. He will be sentenced on January 26.