Phoenix Futures

Home
United Kingdom
London
Phoenix Futures

Call Directions Website

Phoenix Futures is a charity and housing association providing services for people affected by substance use We expanded and opened more houses in the 1980s.

The UK's first 'Phoenix House' opened its doors in London in 1969, offering Therapeutic Community (TC) based residential rehabilitation. Throughout the 1970s the Phoenix House TC programme adapted and modernised, becoming less rigid and adding Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based group work to the programme. In the early 1990s, a large increase in funding for the substance use field focussed on HIV prevention. Many of the resulting services were harm reduction based. The first shift in approach came with the opening of the Fountain Project in 1994, an HIV/AIDS palliative care unit in South London. This service took clients on methadone prescriptions for the duration of their stay. From this point on the organisation began to embrace services for people who were trying to abstain, but were not quite at the point of actually achieving it. As these abstinence-oriented services expanded we won prison contracts where the goal of treatment was abstinence but the clients themselves were more ambivalent. As we developed more Tier 3 structured day services, commissioners increasingly asked us to add open access or Tier 2 elements to our provision. Initially, we embraced Tier 2 work that provided open access/entry points to the treatment system. With good services and strong local leadership we expanded into harm reduction. This has become the third stage of the organisation's evolution, so that we now deliver abstinence based, abstinence oriented and harm reduction services. We have always believed that people who use our services are individuals and that the recovery process for each person is different. We will use whatever interventions and models of service delivery help them along their personal path of recovery. As one of the most diverse substance use organisations in the UK we take pride in our ability to support changed lives from the street through to resettlement.

07/10/2026

It is with profound sadness that we mark the passing of George De Leon, one of the most influential figures in the history of Therapeutic Communities and addiction treatment.

George devoted his life to understanding how people change and recover. His pioneering research, teaching and writing helped establish the Therapeutic Community as a respected and effective approach, while his principle of “community as method” continues to shape recovery services across the world.

At Phoenix Futures, George’s landmark book, The Therapeutic Community: Theory, Model and Method, is affectionately known as the TC bible. Many of our staff and residents also had the privilege of learning from him in person. We remember his warmth, curiosity, generosity and unwavering belief in the healing power of community.

George’s death is an enormous loss, but his legacy lives on in the practitioners he taught, the organisations he influenced and the countless lives transformed through the recovery movement he helped shape.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the global Therapeutic Community.

Rest peacefully, George. Your work changed the world, and your legacy will continue in every life transformed through the power of community.

Read our full Obituary here:
https://zurl.co/MhttI

05/10/2026

❤️ Last Wednesday marked the final Open Houses event of the year.

Our National Specialist Family Service opened its doors, welcoming visitors to meet the team, learn more about the service and see first-hand what residential rehabilitation looks like for women and their children.

Reflecting on the day, Rachael Clegg, Head of Residentials (Women and Families), said:

"For those of us fortunate enough to spend time within the service, it was also a powerful reminder of why this work matters so much. As the only national specialist residential family service in England, we have the privilege of witnessing women and their children receive the exceptional care, compassion and support provided by our dedicated team every day.

We see women thrive as individuals and as mothers through pregnancy, birth and early parenting, often overcoming extraordinary challenges to build brighter futures for themselves and their children.

One of the most moving parts of the day was hearing women share their experiences so openly and honestly. Their accounts highlighted the reality of navigating complex and often challenging systems to access support, and the barriers many mothers face when seeking help. While some of these stories were difficult to hear, they served as a powerful reminder of just how vital specialist services like ours are, and of the resilience, courage and determination shown by the women and families we support every day.

These experiences also remind us that we must continue working together to reduce barriers and make residential services more accessible and available for women and families. Every woman should be able to access the right support at the right time, and no family should face unnecessary obstacles when seeking help. By listening to lived experience and working collaboratively across services, we can create more opportunities for women and children to access the life-changing support they need to thrive."

A huge thank you to the whole team for opening their doors and giving such a warm welcome to everyone who joined us.

And a special thank you to the women and families who shared their experiences so openly, helping others better understand the realities of accessing support and the difference residential rehabilitation can make.

Thank you, too, to everyone who has been part of Open Houses this year - every service that opened its doors, every team that welcomed visitors and everyone who stepped inside to listen, learn and challenge assumptions.

25/09/2026

A little splash of colour for our National Specialist Family Service 🌈

These murals were created by one of our residents during her time here - something for families who come through our doors after her.

Next Wednesday, 30th September, we're opening the doors to everyone 💜

Come inside, meet the team and see how our Sheffield service enables parents to access residential drug and alcohol treatment while remaining together with their children.

🏠 Open Houses - Wednesday 30 September
📍 Sheffield
🔗 Book your place - https://zurl.co/T4Nh8

23/09/2026

An 11% increase in drug-related deaths in Scotland is more than a statistic. Behind every number is a person whose life mattered, and the families, friends and communities left to carry the loss.

While important progress has been made through investment in treatment, harm reduction and public health approaches, today's figures show that more action is urgently needed.

We’re calling for health, social care, housing, mental health and justice services to work together in a truly coordinated response, because every life matters.

Today, we stand with those grieving and remain committed to creating a future where everyone has the support and opportunity they need to live the life they want.

Read our full statement here: https://www.phoenix-futures.org.uk/about-phoenix-futures/spotlight-on-recovery/phoenix-news-and-views/phoenix-futures-statement-on-scotlands-drugrelated-deaths/

22/09/2026

“I was adamant that I just wanted to go home.”

Residential rehab isn't always where people expect to find hope. But for many, it's where recovery begins.

Residential rehab is one of the longest-established and most well-evidenced forms of drug and alcohol treatment. Yet access in England remains far lower than it should be - with just 1% of people in drug and alcohol treatment accessing state-funded residential rehab each year, compared with a European average of 11%.

Despite the evidence, too many people who could benefit are still missing out.

Open Houses is an opportunity to come inside residential services, ask questions and hear directly from people who have experienced treatment for themselves. 🏠

Come and see for yourself.

Open the door to recovery - you are invited: https://zurl.co/JGSdr

17/09/2026

Are you visiting New Oakwood Lodge today? 🏠

If not, there’s still time to book onto one of our remaining Phoenix Futures Open Houses this September.

As Jon Hall, our Commissioning & Development Manager, says:

“There’s nothing like lived experience - meeting our people directly and just chatting with them.”

Come and do just that.

🏠 Wirral Residential Service - 29 September
🏠 National Specialist Family Service, Sheffield - 30 September

🎟️ Book your place: https://zurl.co/nJGG6

Step inside. See the difference.

17/09/2026

15/09/2026

You are invited. 🏠

Last week, we opened the doors to Ophelia House for our first Phoenix Futures Open House.

Here Jess, our Head of Residential Access & Placements, alongside Alice, our Customer Engagement Manager, explains why giving people the opportunity to step inside residential services matters.

Our next Open Houses event is at New Oakwood Lodge in Derby this week.

Come inside. Meet the people. See residential treatment for yourself.

🎟️ https://zurl.co/8RnfZ

Step inside. See the difference.

09/09/2026

“I leave Ophelia House as a new person, ready to live my best life.” 💚

Tomorrow, we’re opening the doors to Ophelia House as part of the Open Houses campaign.

Come inside our women-only therapeutic community, meet the team and discover what residential recovery really looks like.

You’ll be able to:

🌿 Meet the team and learn more about the support we provide, including the Freedom Programme and counselling.

💬 See therapeutic tools in action and find out how they support recovery and personal growth.

💚 Hear directly from current and former residents about their experiences of recovery and life at Ophelia House.

It’s a chance to ask questions, challenge assumptions and see for yourself what residential treatment can offer.

📅 Tomorrow - Thursday 10 September
⏰ 11am-2pm
📍 Phoenix Futures Ophelia House, North Oxfordshire
🎟️ Free - RSVP here: https://zurl.co/crv8t

Step inside. See the difference. 🏠

08/09/2026

Meet Kerrin 👋

As Clinical Lead at our Wirral Residential Service, Kerrin is a Registered Mental Health Nurse who has dedicated her career to supporting people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.

After first completing a student placement at Phoenix Futures, she knew it was somewhere she wanted to return to - and when the opportunity arose, she joined the team in 2018.

Today, Kerrin leads on the clinical care provided within the service, supporting residents with their physical and mental health needs, overseeing assessments and medication, and helping staff develop their knowledge and skills.

Passionate about challenging stigma and improving access to support, Kerrin plays a vital role in helping people take positive steps towards recovery.

🏠 Want to meet Kerrin and the rest of the team?

As part of the Open Houses campaign this September, you can join us at our Wirral Residential Service to meet the people behind the service, learn more about the support we provide and see first-hand how recovery happens every day at Phoenix Futures.

📅 29 September 2026
📍 Phoenix Futures Wirral Residential Service
🎟️ Book your place: https://zurl.co/kWSNj

Can't make this date? There are plenty of other Open Houses taking place across the country throughout September, October and November. Find one near you via the booking link.

Address

68 Newington Causeway
London
SE16DF

Telephone

+442072349740

Website

http://www.phoenix-futures.org.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Phoenix Futures posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.