The O'Connor Gateway Trust (OCGT) was established following service user feedback from people who had completed residential detox and rehabilitation and then faced significant barriers in reintegration into the wider community and moving on to become productive, healthy and happy members of society. From gaps in employment histories, lack of experience and/or qualifications, a lack of any or recent C.V. material, low self-confidence and, in some cases, criminal records, the barriers to employment and meaningful activity were presenting a risk to long-term abstinent recovery. It became apparent that something was needed to fill this gap in the recovery journey and to provide skills, confidence, C.V. material and training to people in early recovery.

The OCGT was therefore established and registered in 2004 and now provides a range of services to people in recovery including wholly owning and operating a social enterprise restaurant, Langan's Tea Rooms. Langan's provides work experience, both volunteer and paid employment opportunities, training,
confidence and C.V. building opportunities to people accessing our services. We are also commissioned to deliver Stoke Recovery Service as part of Stoke on Trent CDAS (Community Drug and Alcohol Service) providing tailored aftercare support for people who are in recovery from substances and alcohol.

The main objectives of the O'Connor Gateway Trust are to:
1. Support people whose everyday lives are significantly affected by drug and/or alcohol addiction; both individuals affected directly by addiction and their families/significant others with their families.

2. Provide hope, inspiration and motivation for change through the power of lived experience and adopting a trauma-informed approach to service delivery.

3. Provide training in independent living skills in order that beneficiaries may live an independent life and become contributing members of their community.

4. Provide a safe, respectful environment where individuals can undergo a series of workshops, training, education and group/individual work

5. Provide volunteering and paid employment opportunities for people in recovery to build confidence, skills and work readiness

6. To reduce the risk of relapse following completion of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and support individuals to live a healthy and happy life free from substances.

The OCGT works closely with the Burton Addiction Centre which provides residential detoxification and rehabilitation services for people affected by substance misuse. We are part of the partnership in Staffordshire (STaRS) and Stoke on Trent (CDAS) and have established pathways to facilitate access to inpatient detoxification and residential rehabilitation which will benefit the offer detailed in this proposal.