10 Mar 2026
A new video featuring four counsellors from The Forward Trust speaking about their work in Essex has been released this week.
Essex Recovery Foundation, a registered charity, commissioned a new film to showcase the valuable work of Forward’s Essex SHARP Community Rehabilitation Programme in the region.
In Essex, Forward provides dedicated abstinence-based recovery pathways for individuals and families affected by drug and alcohol use.
This short film features Forward counsellors Lisa, Simon, Natasha and Ruth, talking about their therapeutic practice, and share how rewarding it is to witness the transformational change experienced by clients on the SHARP programme.
Our Essex community rehabilitation service supports people with addiction issues to begin specialist treatment – with the aim of working towards long-term, stable, abstinence-based recovery.
The SHARP model involves 48 days of attendance at our treatment centres in Braintree and Wickford over the course of eight weeks.
The video shows how vital the treatment programmes are to the local community with the ripple of effect of recovery supporting not only the individuals with addiction, but also supporting their families.
Service users that have been through SHARP can rebuild their lives free from drugs or alcohol.
Shane, a graduate of SHARP, filmed his own video message to emphasise the life-changing impact the programme had on his life. Shane said:
“It saved my life, literally. I still stay in contact with all the counsellors – it’s just done so much for me.”
Harkiran Kaur, Essex Regional Manager of The Forward Trust said:
“Every day in the Essex Community Rehabilitation Service, we witness the extraordinary strength that people carry within them- often long before they recognise it themselves. What we do is simply create the space, the safety, and the belief for that strength to rise.
“Whether it’s a young parent fighting to rebuild her family or an overwhelmed mum rediscovering her voice and her worth, the transformation we see is nothing short of remarkable.
“These stories remind us that recovery is not just about overcoming substance use- it’s about reclaiming identity, rebuilding hope, and stepping into a future that once felt out of reach. We are incredibly proud of the courage our clients show and the dedication of our teams who walk beside them every step of the way.”
Our structured day treatment programme is funded by Essex County Council, and Forward also accepts privately-funded placements (subject to the usual assessment and suitability checking processes) - prices are available on request.
Other drug and alcohol treatment programmes in Essex include
· The Brink of Change - a six-week CBT-based programme consisting of Opiate Substitute Treatment (OST) related sessions and psychoeducational workshops; non‑addiction counselling facilitated by Trainee counsellors for those seeking emotional or psychological guidance; addiction counselling for individuals ready to explore their relationship with substances.
· M-PACT programme - supporting families impacted by parental substance use.
Our thanks to the Essex Recovery Foundation for selecting our service for this filming project, expertly filmed by creative agency, Back The Brave.
