Talitha Koum – Drug and Alcohol Recovery Grant Application - Supplementary information

8 Nov 2017

Overview (Outcomes from Grant Funding)

Women Together recovery groups are community-based self-help support meetings which run in 3 locations across Ipswich 3 times a week. Groups are free to attend and open to any woman affected by any addiction. Women can be at any stage on their journey of recovery with an honest desire to beat their addiction.Groups are facilitated by ordinary women, some of whom are in recovery themselves and some who have supported others in their journey to freedom.

Our aim is to provide a safe environment where women can be with others who share a common desire to overcome their addictive behaviour and where they can share their thoughts, feelings and experiences. We want women to regain the self-confidence, self-belief and self-worth that addiction has stolen from them.WT has supported over 80 women on their recovery journey so far. Some of the women have faced abuse or exploitation, and many bring stories of homelessness, vulnerability, fear, hunger and their battles with addictions.

WT groups are run by a paid part-time leader with support from volunteers. All staff and volunteers are DBS checked. We work closely with local agencies and charities and WT work is funded entirely by donations and small grants.

Typically,there are 3-6 attendees per group although there have been occasions where there were 10 women in one group alone. It does vary a lot though from week to week and session to session.

WT is promoted via our web site: and Facebook, and word of mouth. We also have posters at many locations around Ipswich including GP surgeries, pharmacies, hairdressers, Turning Point, churches, and community centres.

Details of our groups:

MONDAYS: 10:30am to 11:30am
VENUE: Whitton Baptist Church, 209 Highfield Road, Ipswich, IP1 6DH

MONDAYS: 7:45pm to 9:00pm
VENUE: Shepherd Drive Baptist Church, Shepherd Drive, Pinewood, Ipswich IP8 3SL

THURSDAYS: 1:30pm to 2:30pm
VENUE: Ipswich Community Church, Clarkson Street, Ipswich, IP1 2JL

​PHONE: 07503 416576 EMAIL:

Meetings are not held on Bank holidays

Grant Application

We are seeking £2,280 in grant funding to cover some of our non-staff costs for one year. The total running costs for the WT groups is £15,540 p.a. of which the majority is staff costs for a part time group leader and part time administration staff. The group leader manages and facilitates the groups with support from trained volunteers. They also provide telephone support to group attendees at other times and work with partner organisations to help address individual needs. Other staff also work part time to publicise and report on the groups, and for general administration.

Non-staff costs of approximately £3,000 p.a. are included in the above figure. This covers:

Refreshments at meetings£25 per month

Staff/Volunteer travel (mileage / public transport)£55 per month

AA Materials (posters etc.)£10 per month

Books / Stationery £20 per month

WT dedicated phone top-up (so attendees can call for help)£20 per month

Staff counselling supervision£60 per month

Sub-total(£2,280 p.a.) £190 per month

Not included in grant application:

Staff training£20 per month

Social activities for group attendees in need (e.g. cinema, meal)£40 per month

Timescales

WT groups will run weekly throughout 2018 and grant funding would be held in a restricted account for use during the year with spend recorded on a monthly basis.