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0
clients received information, advice and talking therapies from Ara Gambling Service
0
clients housed in our safe substance misuse Pathway 4 housing
0%
of ARRO clients were met at the prison gates on day of release and offered safe, secure housing
0
young people educated about problem gambling
0%
of alcohol misuse referrals were seen for brief interventions in Gloucestershire hospitals

Foreword by Chair of the Board – Tony Collins

Welcome to our first Post COVID-19 Annual Impact Report.  Ara has had another amazing year and has continued to grow and move forward. Ara’s services have reached over 12,000 individuals, which represents a 100% increase on the previous year – an amazing achievement for our Charity.

For the past 2 years all charitable organisations have focussed on dealing with the impact and implications of COVID-19.  I am pleased to report that throughout the pandemic, ARA was able to maintain all of its services and support our clients, and we are now hoping to put those challenging days behind us.  Ara is fully back to finding ways to increase the impact of and diversify its services to those affected with alcohol and substance misuse, gambling addiction, homelessness, and mental health issues.   We have also continued our work in supporting those leaving prison who are in need of support with their resettlement and accommodation.

It is Ara’s ambition is to deliver high quality services to more and more individuals across all of our sectors.  In addition to the increase in service, users we are also working hard to ensure the effectiveness of our programmes.  To those impacted by addiction and mental health issues, we want to offer long-term support and build life changing opportunities through housing, education and employment.  Ara believes in the potential of our clients and we are seeking to create services that will deliver their ambition for change.

Our Gambling Treatment services have grown and over 98% of the people supported in this have been very satisfied with Ara’s programmes. Ara, through its relationship with GamCare, has increased the reach of its gambling harms programmes to include education for young people and those affected by another’s gambling.  Next year Ara plans to increase the services it offers to affected others through the delivery of a major initiative.

This year Ara’s executive team led by Graham England (CEO) and supported by Andrew Ridley (CFO) and Robbie Thornhill (COO) have focused on delivering and improving our client experiences, and this Impact Report highlights many of these.  The overall quality of services is extremely good and I would like to credit our managers and staff for their achievements and contributions.  We have been innovative, effective, and above all caring.

Housing remains at the heart of Ara’s services and we continue to provide supported housing for those with alcohol and drug addiction, and recently released from prison.  The guiding principal behind Ara’s housing policy is to enable individuals to improve their lives whilst they are in our care.  We focus on providing support, access to treatment, and a positive transition to a new life.

As an organisation we are delighted by the positive and growing impact that we are having.  We are helping individuals change.  We are also, however, not complacent about what we are doing and we to plan to continue to deliver even more impactful services in the years ahead.  I hope you enjoy reading the impact Report and get a feeling for the passion and commitment within this Charity. For real time updates and stories about our work, why not follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Tony Collins

Chair of Trustees

Ara Impact Report 2021-2022

Previous Impact Reports

2020-2021

2019-2020

2018-2019