PROVIDING HOPE AND BETTER LIVES
Empowering communities through Support and Recovery Services
Welcome to Ara, an organisation that has been dedicated to providing much needed and respected services to vulnerable individuals and communities since 1987. With a passionate staff team and Board of Trustees, we strive to help people make positive changes in their lives and create a better future for themselves and their loved ones. Our sole purpose is to provide hope and better lives.
About Ara: Supporting vulnerable communities since 1987
We are a registered charity formed in 1987, providing structured treatment, counselling, housing support, education, training and employment guidance, as well as many other interventions to provide hope and better lives through recovery.
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People received CBT and strength-based counselling
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Young people in Southwest England & Wales took part in our programmes to raise awareness of gambling harms
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Of clients would recommend our service to others
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Clients housed in our recovery community accommodation
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Referrals for men and women leaving prison homeless
OUR VALUES
Our purpose is to provide hope and better lives
At Ara, we are driven by a shared passion to make a positive impact on the lives of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities. With over 30 years of experience, our dedicated staff team and Board of Trustees work tirelessly to provide much-needed and respected services that help people improve their functioning, wellbeing, and quality of life. All of our actions are driven by the following core values:
Aspiring
We are ambitious for clients, act with purpose, are motivated and eager for change. We are committed to enterprising solutions and the best possible outcomes.
Brave
Competent
Determined
Transforming lives through supported housing, gambling harms treatment, and prison resettlement
At Ara, we are dedicated to providing essential services to vulnerable individuals and communities. Our wide range of services, including Supported Housing, and Gambling Support, aim to empower individuals and help them improve their quality of life.
Specialised programmes to assist individuals struggling with gambling addiction and related issues.
Safe and supportive housing solutions for individuals facing homelessness or housing instability.
We create long lasting partnerships with like-minded organisations
MEET THE TEAM
The unwavering strength and unity of the Ara leadership team.
Finance Director & Deputy CEO
Andrew Ridley
Andrew oversees Finance, IT and Administration, and also serves as Company Secretary. He joined Ara in 2006, following earlier roles in housing, health, and at a large accountancy firm.
Director of Operations
Robbie Thornhill
Robbie specialises in programme management, business transformation and strategic planning, and holds an MBA alongside degrees in Sociology.
Housing Manager
Richard Chilvers
Richard brings extensive experience across homelessness, humanitarian aid and the charity sector, having previously worked with St Mungo’s and Oxfam.
Gambling Service Manager
Guy Hawker
Guy rejoined Ara in 2022, bringing 23 years of experience in management, leadership and counselling within addiction services.