Build on Belief (BoB),is a service user led charity that is changing the face of the drug and alcohol treatment system in London. Our services are run by people who have had their own experiences of drug and alcohol problems and understand not only what it’s like first-hand, but also the struggle people often have to reach and maintain recovery. After all who is better placed to understand what someone with dependency issues is going through than someone who has been there themselves?
The BoB vision has two major aspects. Firstly, it is intended to support service users in the design, implementation and delivery of a range of services that are, by and large socially based. These services are to be run and ‘owned’ by their service users and are intended to help volunteers and service users’ alike move forward with their individual recovery from substance use. BoB aims to give people somewhere to go when mainstream drug and alcohol services are closed or cannot help. Many of our drop-in services run at the weekend and we have an extensive online programme. We aim to give our service users access to opportunities that they cannot obtain through the conventional treatment system.
As the substance use experience can be all-consuming, it’s also really important to find new interests that help to fill the void many people are faced with in early recovery. With this in mind BoB runs a range of sports, art and music workshops and clubs that provide the opportunity to try something new, meet new people, have fun and maybe even fulfil a lifelong ambition to play in a rock and roll band or try out yoga. We provide an open-minded and supportive atmosphere that gives people the confidence to try out new activities and find a sense of purpose and belonging. Often people who come along to our ten social clubs across London and the south east, along with the online programme, feel a sense of belonging they have not had for a long time if ever. Some of us feel like we are part of a family.
Music workshops, sports clubs, arts, alternative therapies, food and drink, and a strong sense of community are just some of the things on offer to anyone who visits us.
