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New Appointment
  • 31 Oct 2023, 10:05
  • louise

We are delighted to announce that Kevin Randall is joining us as our new Head of Key Working. Kevin is a 'bitsa' which means he's lived bits of his life in different countries including New Zealand, Australia and the USA. He grew up experiencing the same kind of trauma that many of our residents have faced and has been in recovery from substances for over 20 years. He first met Tony when he was running Freedom Communities, a Christian rehab programme in Devon. The pair bonded and their paths have remained crossed since. It has always been Tony's dream to employ Kevin within the charity - which proves that hope and vision really does matter, and miracles really do happen. Kevin is well qualified for the role. He has a degree in chemical dependency and 30 years working in the addictions field. The opportunity to help those who suffer by using an addiction to escape has always been a goal of his, and we are delighted to have him join our team because we know his appointment will make a significant difference to everyone we work with. He tells us: "I began working on my trauma many years ago and I have had many life experiences that help me to gain an understanding of addiction. My work is much more than a job - it is a calling and a way of life. I believe I was destined to be involved in this line of work and working with Tony feels like a privilege. God is clearly blessing him and is this, and all that is unfolding for him."

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Meet Paul Blair
  • 30 Oct 2023, 10:00
  • louise

I wanted to tell you more about my friend Paul Blair who is leading the team climbing the 21 Peaks in a few weeks. Paul and I were in Bullingdon prison together and it was Peter, our Chairman, who sentenced us both. This photo is the moment Paul met Peter again for the first time since the court room. Paul experienced sexual abuse as a small child. By 12 he was selling drugs, believing himself to be a part of an untouchable gang who had become his new family. His highs were high, but his lows were low and by 17 he found himself in prison. He tells us “I couldn’t bear to be in society. I was always looking over my shoulder to see who would attack me next.” In 2014 Peter sentenced him for conspiracy to supply a class A drug. It was a serious enough offence for him not to get the grace of the community order that I had received. Our paths crossed over the years, and he's always been a friend. He tells us more about why he wants to help us: "I always thought I'd be in prison, always selling drugs. I was the man relapsing every two weeks. I was always starting again, and again, and again. I never imagined it would be any different but eventually I got it, and now I run my own business, I lead a boxing group, a cold water swimming group and Abingdon Extreme Fundraisers. The consistency of training has always helped me because it gives me a routine and a focus. It helps keep me on the straight and narrow. I remember hearing how somebody in the community didn't have the funds to pay for a grave headstone and I thought 'I can help with that!'. Now a lot of people with needs come and tell me about them, and if I can I help. I've probably helped around 25 good causes and my group do a fundraising challenge every month. The craziest thing I've ever done is run up Ben Nevis in my pants. My team has run the 3 Peaks in 19 hours. We rode the 140km Ridgeway on old 'granny bikes' with bells and baskets - that was fun! Our last challenge was to build a raft and float down the River Wye over 2 days for 40 miles. Even as we faced rapids with people begging us to get out, we carried on. That's what recovery teaches you - to be very fixed on the goal inspite of temptations. My advice to someone struggling? It's the same advice as I'l be giving to Tony and the lads as we're climbing the 21 Peaks. Never give up. You're far stronger than you think. Find the right people to have by your side, pick yourself up and keep on going." Please celebrate all that Paul has achieved by making a donation - however small. https://www.justgiving.com/page/21peaks-2days-1697746991338?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2F21peaks-2days-1697746991338&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

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21 Peaks Fundraising Challenge
  • 23 Oct 2023, 10:00
  • louise

This is Paul Blair. He and I have a few things in common: 1. We were in Bullingdon prison together 2. Judge Ross sentenced us both 3. We’re both crazy enough to climb 21 peaks over 2 days next month to raise money for Hope and Vision. Please share this post and consider donating to help more men like Paul and I learn that there’s no mountain you can’t climb when you’re with the right people. https://www.justgiving.com/page/21peaks-2days-1697746991338?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2F21peaks-2days-1697746991338&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

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New Podcast - More Than My Past
  • 17 Oct 2023, 10:05
  • louise

The final episode of the More Than My Past podcast from this series featuring Tony has been released. It focuses on reducing addiction and crime. It includes Tony's perspective on how a punitive response is less effective. He asks whether an empathetic response would be more effective and cost efficient to society? Thank you Julie Muir and Jason Flemyng and the team The Forward Trust. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/d8jZJS7

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New Ambassador - Roger Davies
  • 2 Oct 2023, 10:05
  • louise

We are delighted to welcome two-time World Record Holder and Wild Adventurer Roger Davies as an Ambassador of our charity. It’s fair to say that having recovered from a life of crime, addiction and cancer, Roger knows a thing or two about transformation and second chances! He was once a man on the run from his past but now he runs – usually as part of some hard-core expedition – towards his future with optimism and uncompromising self-belief. He has played rugby on Mount Everest, trekked 650 km to the North Pole, battled the deadly North Atlantic in the world’s toughest rowing race and taken on the Himalayas and Sahara Desert. He’s someone who we’ve always admired. We’re thrilled to have him officially join our team to help us raise the profile of what we’re doing for men who want a second chance at life but think the mountain ahead is impossible to climb - Roger is proof that it isn't. Check out his story - https://lnkd.in/eq8HZ-8P

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New Ambassador - Michael Emmett
  • 2 Oct 2023, 10:05
  • louise

We’re really honoured to have Michael Emmett joining us an Ambassador of our work. Having once been the world’s biggest drug smuggler he understands how important second chances are. He was 18 when he joined the family business and entered into the dangerous world of organised crime. His father was a career criminal and in 1993 they were both were arrested for their involvement in a £13-million smuggling operation. Michael was sentenced to twelve years, serving time in the same prison as his dad. A chance encounter in prison led to him joining an Alpha course and he turned his life around thanks to the extraordinary strength his faith has given him. Helping others is now at the heart of Michael’s message. His experience led to the creation of Alpha in Prisons which has reached 900 prisons globally, and he's written about his life in a book called Sins of Fathers. We love hearing Michael's story. We love his mission in life. We're thrilled he's agreed to join our team.

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New Ambassador - Elizabeth Burton-Phillips
  • 2 Oct 2023, 10:05
  • louise

Elizabeth Burton-Phillips MBE has always been a supporter and friend of Hope and Vision Communities, so it feels very natural to welcome her as an Ambassador. She is best known as the author of ‘Mum, can you lend me twenty quid?’ which tells the story of how her ordinary family was devastated by drug addiction which drove her twin son Nick to end his life. Elizabeth has campaigned continuously to raise awareness of the harm caused to families by drug addiction and to influence policy and practice so that the needs of families are better recognised and met. She delivers thousands of lectures and speeches in schools, prisons and conferences and is currently on the Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs New Recovery Committee. Her charity, DrugFAM provides support to those affected by the harmful use of, or death from, drugs, alcohol, substances or gambling. In 2017 Elizabeth was awarded an MBE for ‘services to people who experience drug addiction and their families’. If someone you know is struggling to cope with the nightmare of a loved one's addiction to drugs, gambling or alcohol please visit their website: www.drugFAM.co.uk

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