Kenward Trust opens its doors to showcase the life-changing impact of residential rehabilitation
Kenward Trust has welcomed commissioners, professionals, partners and supporters to its Yalding rehabilitation centre as part of Open Houses, a national campaign highlighting the vital role residential rehabilitation plays in helping people recover from addiction.
Developed through a partnership between Choices Rehabs and Phoenix Futures, Open Houses aims to increase understanding of residential treatment, challenge misconceptions and demonstrate the importance of ensuring people can access the right treatment at the right time.
Visitors to Kenward Trust heard directly from staff, residents and treatment specialists, gaining an insight into the charity’s work and the challenges and opportunities facing addiction treatment services today.
The event also provided an opportunity to announce an important leadership transition, with Samantha Hopper taking on the role of Interim Registered Manager as Mark Holmes moves into a new strategic position as Head of Addiction Services and Development.
Penny Williams, CEO, Kenward Trust Team.
Penny said:
“Open Houses is about opening our doors and showing people what really happens in residential rehabilitation. Too often, decisions are made about these services without people having the opportunity to see them first-hand.
“Today has been about showcasing the expertise, compassion and hope that exist within residential treatment and demonstrating how lives can be transformed through recovery.”
Guests heard from Dr Annie McCloud, who spoke about the increasing complexity of people entering treatment and the growing impact of ketamine use across the UK.
Dr McCloud highlighted the devastating physical consequences that prolonged ketamine use can have, including the increasingly recognised condition known as “ketamine bladder”, which can lead to severe and life-changing health complications.
Saul, Former Kenward Trust Resident.
One of the most powerful parts of the event came from three Kenward Trust residents, who shared their personal journeys from addiction to recovery.
Among them was Saul, who earlier this year represented residential rehabilitation services at the House of Lords during the national launch of the Open Houses campaign.
Visitors also heard from Ali Presley, Head of Therapeutic Services, who provided an overview of Kenward Trust’s treatment programmes, including the 12 Steps approach and SMART Recovery.
Ali also highlighted some of the therapeutic approaches and activities available to residents, from EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy, which can help people address trauma, to engaging activities involving Kenward Trust’s well-known alpacas.
The event concluded with a presentation from Michael Bourne, Head of Resettlement, who highlighted the importance of stable housing in sustaining recovery.
Guests learned more about Kenward Trust’s Stage 2 and Stage 3 accommodation projects, which can provide ongoing recovery-focused housing and support for up to three years following residential treatment. Discussions also explored how stronger links between treatment, housing and community support can help people sustain their recovery.
Penny Williams added:
“Recovery doesn’t end when someone leaves residential treatment. Having the right accommodation, support network and opportunities to rebuild a meaningful life are essential.
“Today’s discussions reinforced just how important it is that housing, health and addiction services work together to create pathways that genuinely support people to thrive.”
Jean Park, President and Trustee of Kenward Trust, praised the staff and residents who shared their knowledge and experiences with guests.
Jean said:
“I was very impressed with the presentations today. They gave the audience a clear, complete picture of the services Kenward provides.
“As a Trustee and President, I am very proud to be a small part of it. Well done to all the staff who spoke, and very well done to the brave residents who told their stories.”
The event formed part of a nationwide programme of Open Houses events across England, bringing together residential rehabilitation providers, commissioners, policymakers and local communities to strengthen understanding of residential treatment and pathways into recovery.
