A CHARITY that supports people recovering from drug addiction received a late Christmas present that put a smile on the team’s faces.
Hope and Vision Communities had leased a van from Arnold Clark for two years, with support from Reeds Solicitors, who paid for the lease during that time.
The vehicle is vital to the community for propety and garden maintenance, moving residents, collecting donations and driving to churches and food banks.
So with the vehicle contract due to end, the charity was concerned about how it would manage.
Tony Attwood, Hope and Vision Communities founder, says: “We knew the lease was up for renewal, and we were anxious about whether we would be able to continue.”
Tony emailed Arnold Clark to ask whether they might be able to offer a reduction that would allow the charity to stay on the road.
“Just as the arrangement was coming to an end, they contacted us with the great news that they wanted to donate the van to us,” says Tony.
”It was a huge gift, and it makes a big difference to what we can do.
“It’s the biggest member of the team.”
Hope And Vision Communities provides support and accommodation for people who have successfully completed residential rehabilitation.
All have a history of drug or alcohol misuse, with some having turned to crime.
Many have lost family and friends, and transitioning to independent living can be overwhelming.
The charity helps those who have shown a willingness to change to find a safe, suitable and supportive environment for their continued recovery.
FounderTony understands better than most what members of the community go through.
Through his early adulthood he combined alcohol and drug use to combat feelings of grief, loneliness and anger.
He says that to begin with narcotics gave him a sense of power, acceptance, and that he felt invincible.
But as time went on Tony’s drug use became an unmanageable addiction.
Cocaine and heroin habits led to a vicious cycle of crime, prison and chaos.
He lost relationships, jobs, finances, family, and respect, and felt that there was no way out.
Then he began to notice unusual coincidences in his life, and began a faith journey that would gradually lead him out of his impossible situation.,
He was given the opportunity to go to Yeldall Manor residential treatment centre, and found new experiences in the beauty of the place, and the friendship and love of the community there.
Through counselling, and the love he received from members of the church, he experienced there what he describes as a miraculous moment of awakening.
“I’ve been through all this myself,” says Tony.
“And it’s a really hard journey.
“After I completed treatment at Yeldall Manor, I had to find somewhere to live.
“What I needed was a safe environment.”
Tony explains that often the only available accommodation tends to be a room in a shared building with strangers – not ideal for someone wanting to start a life of rehabilitation.
“I was fearful about how to move on, and I didn’t want to go back to my old ways,” he says.
So Tony approached the judge whose decision in court had given him the chance for rehabilitation at Yeldall Manor.
“I went back to the court to thank Peter, and invited him to lunch.
“I had been working on a proposal for a charity that would help others in the same situation as me.
“I showed him my plans and asked him to join me.”
His Honour Judge Peter Ross is now a member of the charity’s board of trustees, who are experienced in law, rehabilitation, recovery, counselling and project management.
“It is a powerful witness to people when they see the special relationships that have been formed to create this community,” says Tony.
With Arnold Clark’s van gift, Hope And Vision Communities will be able to continue supporting people from the start of their journeys at Yeldall Manor and then into suitable accommodation.
“We are very grateful to Eddie, Sean, David and everyone at Arnold Clark for our Christmas gift,” says Tony.
“They are a company who consistently go out of their way to make a difference.
“And we’d also like to thank Reeds solicitors are also supporting us on our journey.”
Hope And Vision has plans to set up a services and building work business to provide employment for community members.
They seek sponsorship for this and other planned projects, and invite people to contact them at: info@hopeandvision.org.uk
For more information about the charity, visit: hopeandvision.org.uk
For Arnold Clarke’s website visit: arnoldclark.com
To know more about Reeds Solicitors visit: reeds.co.uk
