Kenward Trust Helps Launch National Open Houses Campaign at House of Lords
Kenward Trust joined leading residential rehabilitation providers at the House of Lords on 7 July to launch Open Houses 2026 – a national campaign encouraging decision-makers to visit residential addiction treatment services and see first-hand the life-changing impact they have on individuals, families and communities.
Hosted by Kenward Trusts Patron, Lord Brooke, the parliamentary reception brought together Members of Parliament, peers, commissioners, clinicians, service providers and people with lived experience to highlight the vital role residential rehabilitation plays in England's addiction treatment system.
As both Chief Executive of Kenward Trust and Chair of Choices Rehabs, Penny Williams addressed guests, calling for greater understanding and stronger support for residential treatment services.
"Residential treatment remains one of the least understood parts of our addiction treatment system, yet every day it helps people rebuild their lives, restore family relationships, improve their health and make positive contributions to their communities.
Open Houses is a simple invitation: come and see for yourself."
Throughout September, residential rehabilitation providers across England will open their doors to commissioners, local authorities, probation services, NHS partners and other stakeholders, offering an opportunity to meet staff and residents, tour facilities and gain a first-hand understanding of how residential rehabilitation supports long-term recovery.
Kenward Trust, based in Kent, will host its own Open House on Monday 28 September 2026, welcoming commissioners, partners and professionals to learn more about its evidence-based recovery programmes and the positive outcomes achieved by people accessing residential treatment.
Penny Williams said:
"Open Houses is about breaking down misconceptions and building stronger relationships across the treatment system. When people see residential rehabilitation in action, they gain a better understanding of the expertise, compassion and long-term value these services provide.
We hope our Open House will encourage commissioners and partners to work more closely with us to ensure that everyone who could benefit from residential rehabilitation has the opportunity to access it."
Lord Brooke, Patron of Kenward Trust and host of the launch event, said:
“It was a privilege to host the launch of Open Houses 26 at the House of Lords and to welcome such a diverse group of parliamentarians, commissioners, clinicians, providers and people with lived experience. Residential rehabilitation services play a vital role in helping individuals with complex drug and alcohol treatment needs rebuild their lives, yet too often these services are misunderstood or overlooked.
Open Houses 26 presents an invaluable opportunity for decision-makers to see first-hand the expertise, compassion and effectiveness of residential treatment services across England. By opening their doors to commissioners, local authorities, probation services and health leaders, providers can help strengthen understanding, improve collaboration and ultimately increase access to life-changing support.
The speeches from people with lived experience were particularly moving and served as a powerful reminder that recovery is possible when people are given the right support at the right time. I hope this campaign will encourage greater engagement with residential services and contribute to a more joined-up and effective treatment system for the future.”
The Open Houses campaign has been developed in partnership with Choices Rehabs, Phoenix Futures and sector partners to raise awareness of residential treatment at a time when demand for specialist support continues to grow.
The House of Lords reception also featured powerful testimonies from people with lived experience, whose recovery journeys demonstrated the lasting impact residential rehabilitation can have when people receive the right support at the right time.
Anyone wishing to attend Kenward Trust's Open House on Monday 28 September or find out more about the national campaign is encouraged to get in touch.
For details of Open Houses events taking place across England, visit www.openhouses.org.uk.