P3 Charity on Homelessness, Addiction and Recovery

Skye: Acorn House is a supported accommodation service in the Forest of Dean. We have 10 self-contained flats and one ‘crash pad’, meaning we can support up to 11 residents at any time. Most people come to us from a background of homelessness, with referrals coming from the local council, police or hospitals. People can self-refer, too.

We’re a medium-term supported accommodation service so people can stay with us from 6 to 18 months. The people we support are adults aged 18 and over, covering a large area—around 250 square miles—so we work with people from rural villages as well as larger towns. Our role is to help people regain stability, rebuild confidence and move forward.

What kind of support do you offer?

Skye: Many of the people we support arrive with nothing, so we start with the essentials: helping them get ID, set up a bank account and access healthcare. From there, we build up a personalised plan.

Although Acorn House didn’t originally open as a substance misuse service, over time we developed Recovery Pathways in response to the number of people that we were supporting who were struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. We work in close partnership with local drug and alcohol services, helping people who might never have accessed rehab before getting the support they need.

We’re in a unique position because we support only 11 people, so we can develop a deep understanding of their needs. Our work starts by having open conversations about alcohol dependency and giving people the tools to begin recognising their own addiction.

We don’t ban alcohol at Acorn House, residents can drink in their own space. That might sound controversial, but in reality, it keeps them safe, builds trust and reduces anti-social behaviour in the local area. It also gives us a clearer picture of their use and helps us guide them towards safer habits or reduction in consumption as a stepping stone to rehab.

Can you tell me more about Recovery Pathways?

Skye: Recovery Pathways are tailored to every person we support. It looks closely at the links between trauma, addiction and homelessness. Many of our residents have lost housing due to their substance use, but for some, the addiction came after becoming homeless. It’s often a very complex issue.

We’re not a clinical service, but we provide essential 24/7 support. Rehab is extremely intensive and often inaccessible for people entrenched in addiction, so we work to prepare people emotionally and practically for that journey. That might include taking them to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings and helping them develop routines they’ll carry into rehab and beyond.

Importantly, we hold their room open while they’re in rehab. Many people fear they’ll have nowhere to live if they leave to attend rehab, and we remove that barrier. Having stable accommodation makes all the difference in recovery. Without it, it’s almost impossible to succeed.

How do you work with the local community?

Skye: We work closely with local drug and alcohol services, acting as advocates for our residents when applying for rehab. Sometimes people don’t meet the typical criteria for services because their addiction has made it difficult to attend appointments or communicate effectively. That’s where we step in.

We also tackle practical barriers. We’re in the Forest of Dean, but many services are based in Gloucester, which is a 40-minute car journey or 2 hours by public transport. That’s a huge challenge for someone with health problems, no income, or no phone. We help bridge that gap, providing transport and moral support to make sure people don’t miss out on life-changing opportunities.

What anxieties do people have when coming to Acorn House?

Skye: For someone who’s never lived in supported accommodation, coming to Acorn House can feel scary. There’s often a lot of shame and fear because people don’t know what to expect – you’re sharing a space with strangers and for people who’ve experienced trauma, that can be incredibly daunting.

Even for those who’ve been in similar services before, there’s often a lack of trust. They might see it as just another failure or another system they’re expected to fit into. Our job is to show them through bespoke support that we’re not here to judge. We’re here to support each person in taking control of their own recovery.

Can you tell me more about your perspective of AA?

Skye: I’m not an AA member, but I’ve attended meetings with the people we support. They’re incredibly powerful. Someone will share their story and others respond, not to give advice, but to connect. It’s a community built on shared experience, with no judgement.

You’ll see people from all walks of life –business people, students, people who are homeless – all united by a common goal: sobriety. For those early in their journey, it’s a beacon of hope and a powerful tool against isolation.

I’d recommend any support worker attend at least once. It gives real insight into addiction and recovery.

Is Acorn House doing anything specific for Alcohol Awareness Week?

Skye: In a way, every week at Acorn House is Alcohol Awareness Week. Supporting people through alcohol misuse, helping them understand addiction, and working toward recovery is what we do every single day.

Why should someone choose Acorn House?

Skye: No supported accommodation is perfect, but Acorn House offers something rare: a safe, structured environment where people can begin to rebuild, without pressure or judgement.

Residents have privacy, security, and 24/7 on-site staff. There are no visitors allowed, and everyone has their own space to heal and reflect. We don’t just support recovery, we help people get their lives in order by supporting with mental health, GP appointments, benefits and life skills.

If someone truly wants to change, we’ll walk alongside them every step of the way. We’re not here to fix anyone; we’re here to offer a genuine chance.