23 Mar 2026
Our community rehabilitation programmes (or ‘structured day programmes’) are essential elements of our substance misuse service delivery and one of the main pathways to recovery that we offer to our clients.
In this new evaluation report (March 2026), we provide a mixed methods ‘pre- and post-comparison’ evaluation of three of these programmes (Hull, Dover and Medway) by Forward’s research team.
The data from this research shows positive and statistically significant results in terms of key recovery behaviours, as well as a range of personal and social indicators of recovery.
Key findings
Interviews with 18 clients conducted between 6 and 9 months after completing the programme showed:
Strong capability, opportunity, and motivation across four assessed recovery behaviours (as measured by the ‘COM-B’ tool), with scores ranging from 82-95% for ‘asking for help’, ‘admitting mistakes’, ‘being on time’, and ‘undertaking peer support roles’ – which are all established as evidence-based predictors of sustained, long-term recovery. These high scores demonstrate that the programme has a ‘medium to strong’ effect in terms of attributable significance.
Positive changes in widely-recognised personal and social recovery indicators - all 18 participants (100% at follow up) reported improved physical and mental health, and better personal relationships. All 18 reported being abstinent from drugs and alcohol at time of interview. Meanwhile, a third were engaged in education or training, and half were involved in volunteering or peer support; just under half (8 people) were in independent secure housing with the remainder (10) in temporary or secured supported housing.
An-evaluation-of-Forward’s-community-rehabilitation-programmes-A4-V2.pdf
Find out more about the service user journey and clincial perspectives from Forward’s community rehabilitation programmes below:
Case study - Essex SHARP - Essex community rehabilitation treatment programme
This short video explains more about the Essex Day Programme. Interviews with our counsellors at our dedicated drug and alcohol service, SHARP, Our Essex community rehabilitation treatment programme helps people to understand their addiction and achieve long-term, stable, abstinence-based recovery.
The programme adheres to our Self-Help Addiction Recovery Programme (SHARP) model, which involves 48 days of attendance at our treatment centres in Braintree and Wickford over 8 weeks. Filmed for Essex Recovery Foundation by video agency, Back The Brave.
Service User Journey - short animation
This animation explainer video explains the treatment approach for our community-based support services by outlining each step in our research-led Theory of Change treatment model - Pause, Engage, Develop, Prosper.
To find out more about our community rehabilitation programmes:
Email us: development@forwardtrust.org.uk
Commissioners and delivery partners: Commission our services
