Speaker Meeting, 6.15 for 6.30pm

Our guest speaker said she’d been invited by Alan with the brief that she “de-mystify us about what goes on behind the Gloucester House doors”. Ros Rolfe is Gloucester House’s Programme Co-ordinator for Referrals, Marketing person and Family SPOC (Single Point of Contact); as well as many other things it would appear.

In the picture with President Mike are Ros Rolf and Cliff from the Gloucester House Rehabilitation Centre in Highworth.

Gloucester House has been in Highworth for some 50 years but not many people really know what its function is. Ros explained it’s an Addictions Rehabilitation Centre which aims “to inspire clients to embrace on-going change and to build a new life free from addiction.“ Although owned by the Salvation Army, the Centre is not run by them although the Army does train the staff. Currently there are 4 members of staff plus a large team of volunteers. There are 3 specialist therapists. The Sally Am requires the Centre to be 85% financially viable and it’s Ros’ job to ensure that it is.

The Centre is open for men only, men who are suffering from uncontrollable addictions. Mainly it’s alcohol but also drugs, gambling, medication, and so on. It’s a common misconception that these men will come from a low social group and be of low intelligence. In truth they come from all walks of life. For example they’ve included a vascular surgeon, a secondary school teacher and an IT expert. But almost all will be homeless when they are referred.

Gloucester House can take 13 clients at a time, plus 4 others in a supported community house in Windrush, Highworth. For them, it’s their home: “we work in your home, it’s not a work place”. They are placed on a structured rehabilitation programme for 24 weeks, in two 12-week stages. Peer mentoring also plays an important part. On leaving Gloucester House most are resettled in supported accommodation in different locations across the Country. A few might be able to return to their own families and some might live in the house in Windrush.

Accompanying Ros was Cliff. Cliff used to be a successful businessman living in a nice house with his wife and children. He lost everything due to his inability to control his drinking. He even lost the support of his parents who said they just couldn’t take anymore of his violent behaviour. He explained that if he took so much as just one drink he just could not stop: “I simply don’t possess an off switch.” At the lowest point in his life he searched the internet for a rehabilitation centre, found Gloucester House and sent them an email. He was admitted on their “Buy-a-Bed, Save-a-Life” scheme. He said that was “a divine intervention - there are no other words for it”. He is now a volunteer worker at Gloucester House.

Gloucester House Website