03 Mar 2026
The Forward Trust reached over 35,000 people in 2024-2025, making this a record-breaking year with a 9% increase in the number of individuals supported compared to the previous year.
This growth was fuelled by the expansion of our services - we now have 74 contracted programmes across England and Wales, in prisons and the community.
This report, which formed part of our wider 'Annual Review, Impact Report and Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2025', showcases a range of service developments and interesting case studies that show why Forward has been able to support more people than ever before.
Context for the importance of our work is evidenced in the ‘Who we work with’ section: one in four clients in the community are in need of housing (or already homeless), and one in ten people have never been employed.
As a social justice charity, we reach some of society’s most marginalised and disadvantaged groups – the individuals we support are often homeless, out of work, and in poor mental or physical health. Most will have been let down by schools or the care system, and many will have been traumatised by adverse childhood experiences.
This is why our research and evidence-based treatment approach is fundamental to our work, including the Theory of Change, which is a foundational element to all of our service support pathways.
The report also provides a meaningful explanation for the service categories – Substance Misuse and Mental Health, Criminal Justice, Employment, and our range of smaller services within Recovery and Belonging.
The impact of our work has had a profound effect on individuals seeking support within substance misuse and mental health services. These include:
1,700+ clients successfully progressed through our specialist drug and alcohol treatment programmesa25% increase from the previous year.
578 Naloxone kits distributed to help save lives and reduce the risk of fatal overdose.
720+ clients supported through our dedicated care after custody support programme - Reconnect - with 80% successfully referred to mental health services.
11,000+ clients supported through specialist in-prison rehabilitation services.
3,200+ clients supported through our dependency and recovery services – including from 69 different nationalities – highlighting our expertise, inclusive approach and commitment to service accessibility.
1,000+ clients receiving job support or training to help with their reintegration into the community.
3,700 clients supported in prison through career guidance sessions.
1,000 clients the community helped through employability and skills training.
730 people gained secure employment or self-employment directly due to our help.
Recovery and Belonging is comprised of a range of smaller, specialist services that include: support for families, finding people somewhere safe to live, residential treatment centres and online programmes, ongoing recovery support (post-treatment), and peer-led recovery community groups, including Forward Connect.
This year:
280+ clients accessed residential recovery programmes at Clouds House and The Bridges - with 83% leaving drug and alcohol-free.
160+ people found a safe place to live independently through Vision Housing.
100+ families supported through our M-PACT structured programme, which helps children, partners and clients work through addiction concerns through a sensitive, therapeutic-led approach.
5,000 total members are registered for Forward Connect, our peer-led recovery group, to support each other post-treatment.
Forward remains committed to expanding our service reach, driving innovation, and delivering impactful services to those who need them most.
Alongside this core activity, our campaigns continue to be at the forefront of our plans, building on the success of last year’s Addiction Awareness Week campaign, which reached over 2.13 million people on social media.
Forward Chair, Tony Adams, and CEO, Mike Trace, jointly said:
"The generosity of those who have supported us financially has enabled us to continue growing our reach and impact, and the expertise and dedication of our service delivery partners have ensured that more people have the opportunity to thrive and build a better future."
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You can read the full report 'Annual Review, Accounts, and Impact Report 2024/25' on our Publications page.
