Rugby in mind for rehab

Will Johnston, Joint Commissioning Manager (Substance Misuse - Adult & Young People's Treatment & Care) with ESH Works Chief Executive Paul Urmiston.

Social enterprise ESH Works was given the £545,000 grant from Public Health England because of its ‘incredibly successful’ work in providing support to recovering addicts and their families.

The enterprise is based in Leamington but works with people from Rugby – and Rugby is one of the areas where it is looking for a property for the new facility.

It employs people who have experience of recovering from addiction themselves as it believes this is the most effective way to help current addicts beat their problems.

Its chief executive Paul Urmston said: “It’s great to see that the government are continuing to support recovery communities and endorsing the philosophy that the power of one addict helping another is without parallel in a person’s recovery.”

He added the search for the property was going well: “We’re very actively looking for a property and trying to find somewhere suitable.

“We’re confident we can find somewhere because we can buy straight away because of the grant.”

Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White helped introduce a law passed in 2012 which enabled enterprises like ESH Works to win public sector contracts by considering more value than just finances.

He said: “I’ve witnessed the passion, commitment and hard work of the ESH Works team over the years and without a doubt they have certainly proved that the wider definition of value is a reality in the provision of their peer led approach to recovery for addicts and their families.”