Touchstones12 is a registered charity. This particular project provides abstinence based support for individuals who have drug and alcohol problems. Touchstones12 believe that abstinence is the best predictor recovery.

MISSION STATEMENT

Touchstones12 exists in order to meet the needs of anyone who is suffering from an alcohol and/or drug dependency problem, principally through offering cost-effective services, providing residential rehabilitation, including supported accommodation and structured therapeutic timetable of events.

In our daily work we strive to go further, as we believe that a majority of our clients have entered into our particular programme for these two reasons:

• (A) Stop drinking and/or using drugs 

• (B) To concentrate on finding new ways of living.

The project is based on a residential programme. Touchstones12 strongly believe that total abstinence predicts recovery. The main aims of our particular project include the following:

(1) Provide in depth help with the main problems surrounding drug and/or alcohol addiction.

(2) Give individuals’ time and space to explore some of the underlying emotional issues that are associated with chemically dependency.

T12 Client Says: -

“I’ve been to the lowest depths of existence. So much so, I believed it would be better for everybody in my life that I was dead. I tried that, and failed. Then something happened, amidst all this insanity. This organisation saved my life.”

PROJECT HISTORY – PAST AND PRESENT 1994 - 2010

The Charity re-launched in 2002 under the name of TOUCHSTONES12 placing needy individuals at the heart of its work. In 2004 the Conwy County Borough Council became the managing partner under the Supporting People Revenue Grant. During this period the Board appointed a former senior officer of the County Council, as a consultant with a specific remit to advice on future strategy. In 2005 some of our service users formed a Service User Volunteer Group called “Channel”. Channel was commissioned by the SMAT and consequently they now have their own office in Colwyn Bay. January 2006 Touchstones12 took responsibility for the Norfolk House Hotel, a substantial property that was at the time in dire need of fire safety and hygiene upgrading. Following a move to the property Touchstones12 quickly engaged with the local fire authorities, the health and safety advisory and the food standards agency to work on an action plan in order to implement changes. March 2007, a new management team was appointed and subsequently a reassessment of the strategic position was undertaken. Early on into March the Welsh Assembly Government carried out a pilot audit. At the yearend, March 31^st 2007, Touchstones12 had demonstrated the ability to act on the recommendations and develop with a renewed sense of purpose. Later in the year Chris Goodwin (Project Manager) played a key role in submitting a retrospective planning application that later proved to be successful. Mid 2007 Rob Smith (Project Director) was instrumental in forging negotiations with the former owner of Norfolk House and the eventual sale of the property to Pennaf in 2009; which in turn gave rise to the allocation of convergence funding exceeding 1.5 million to aid both purchase and refurbishment. Following completion of purchase, extensive refurbishment work started at Norfolk House in spring 2009 and continued through to May 2010. Today Norfolk House is presenting a fresher, safer and more conducive environment for both residents and staff.  Each resident now has a refurbished room with en suite facilities. Throughout the main building more personalized relaxation space has been created for recreational purposes. On the work front, newly developed areas will provide more private meeting rooms and places to hold key working sessions. To benefit the wider community, Norfolk House can offer competitively priced conference facilities and an I.T. training suite for ten people with PC’s boasting Windows 7 operating systems and MS Office 2010. Thankfully 2010 was a very productive period that sets the stage for year ahead.