Brian arrived at WHW in September 2022 having struggled with addiction as well as depression and anxiety for many years. After several months in rehab he wanted a place to consolidate and deepen his recovery with the goal of moving on into work and his own accommodation. During his year at Windsor Hill Wood he benefitted from a structured and supportive living and working environment that provided acceptance, stability, meaningful activity and peer support. From this secure base he engaged with addiction recovery support, individual counselling, began voluntary work and by the end of the year was a trained peer support worker for others with an addiction. His mental health and wellbeing improved consistently through the year, his coping skills and strategies strengthened so he was more resilient in dealing with the ups and downs of life. In September 2023 he moved on successfully to his own accommodation, continued and developed his voluntary work with the aim of getting paid employment as peer support worker. He continues to stay in touch with WHW and is doing well. This is just one example of many such stories we could tell.

In the past year 86% of our long term clients have gained sufficient recovery and resilience in their mental health and wellbeing during their time at Windsor Hill Wood to enable them to move on successfully while maintaining their sobriety and growing in life confidence.

Here are some recent things guests have said about the value of their time at Windsor Hill Wood.

'This place has saved my life. Simply that.'

'I wouldn't be here if wasn't for Windsor Hill Wood. I would have ended it all, pretty sure.'

'I'm not used to people being nice to me.'

'When I'm having a bad day, I go and spend some time with the sheep and they calm me down.'

'Disappearing into the woodland helps me to breathe easily.'

'Living through the seasons, so close to the seasons, has helped me have a more healthy perspective on life.'

'Here is unconditional love, I am accepted for who I am.'