Hanley charity gives assurances amid fears over centre for former alcoholics

A CHARITY has reassured residents that a proposed centre for former alcoholics will not be used by recovering drug addicts.

Hanley-based Brighter Futures met with Brian Huxley, committee member of the Townsend Residents Community Association (TRCA), yesterday.

The meeting took place after residents raised concerns over the redevelopment of the Mary Bourne Care Home on Wooliscroft Road, Bucknall.

Chris Herbert, the charity’s director of business development, said: “It is simply a calm environment to help people who have overcome alcohol addiction to integrate back into society. It is absolutely not a drug rehabilitation centre.”

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Mr Huxley, who lives at Causeley Gardens, said: “We have been meeting with Brighter Futures for months and they have reassured us that the centre will be there to help people gain skills to get back into work.

“The centre won’t home former drug users.

“From talking to people in the area I think that most people understand the project and accept that sometimes people fall on hard times.

“Mostly, people appreciate that the home could be a good part of the community.

“There’s just been a few people who have misunderstood the intended use for the home.”

Mr Huxley said the TRCA had a good working relationship with Brighter Futures.

“We’ve been in talks for weeks and they have mentioned that there will be possibilities for local people to work with residents and maybe use the facilities,” he added.

For more than 20 years, Better Futures has provided support to people who need help to live ‘independent and fulfilled lives’.

The charity currently supports around 2,000 residents in the city.

It says residents typically have low incomes and problems with their health, ability to find work and social skills.

The charity approached the city council with a proposal to change Mary Bourne from a 50-bedroom care home into a smaller number of self-contained units where people can stay for up to two years.

TRCA chairman, Karen Bowen, lives around the corner from the site, on Theodore Road.

She said: “A few residents have raised concerns with me because they aren’t sure what the home will be used for.

“We’re doing our best to try and help everyone understand what the true purpose of the home actually is.

“I’ve visited residents near to the current Brighter Futures centre in Shelton.

“Some of the residents didn’t even know it was there. They had never had any problems whatsoever with the centre.

“I think the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, but for now it’s important to address the concerns of residents so everyone is sure exactly what to expect from the new home.”