The Forward Trust and Action on Addiction join forces to expand much-needed addiction recovery services in the UK

Today, The Forward Trust and Action on Addiction are uniting their efforts by merging to create a powerful force for recovery from addiction, at a time when there couldn’t be a greater need for these services.

The charities join forces to reach more people in more places to live their lives free from addiction and the stigma associated with it.

Both charities share a longstanding commitment to helping individuals achieve long term, stable, abstinence-based recovery from addiction, and supporting families affected by addiction.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on individuals and families who are affected by all forms of addiction. Rates of harmful drinking and drug-related deaths are at an all-time high; gambling addiction is rising exponentially, and families and children are living with the hidden harm of addiction in greater numbers than ever. All this is happening at a time when access to treatment is diminishing.

The two charities have joined forces in response to an ever pressing post COVID surge in demand, combining their expertise to create a powerful voice to achieve lasting change in relation to addiction and recovery.  

The Hon David Bernstein, Chairman of The Forward Trust, said:

“With the similarity in mission of both our long-established and respected charities – helping people to overcome addiction and related problems to find recovery and a new purpose in life – it makes sense that we combine our experience, expertise and resources to help more people make lasting positive change. We look forward to welcoming Action on Addiction’s team into the Forward family.”

John Lloyd OBE, Chairman of Action on Addiction, commented:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our two organisations to maximise our impact. We are very excited about the possibilities the merger will create to help more individuals and their families living with addiction access the treatment and support they need to move on. We are deeply committed to raising public awareness of addiction, addressing its stigma so that long term recovery is available to anyone, no matter what their route into addiction or economic or social circumstances may be.”

There will be no short term changes to any of the existing Forward or Action on Addiction services, and our service users should be reassured that they will continue to run as they currently do.