General:-

The organization faced new challenges throughout 2007 and into 2008. One important task was to prepare and submit a retrospective planning application at Norfolk House. The planning application was successful on the basis that Touchstones12 has operated from Norfolk House without objection or local concern since January 2006. To add, the organization has been supported throughout this period by our managing partner Conwy County Borough Council and further by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The main focus of our attention throughout this financial year has been stabilization. It has been paramount that we pay serious attention to consolidating the position of the organization. Consolidation has been achieved on a number of fronts.  On one front we have secured significant ground and demonstrated our ability to manage our finances given the positive turnaround in the financial statements. Other significant ground has been gained in the practical areas as we have managed to strengthen the support team and continue to lubricate operations with the ongoing use of new systems and paperwork.

This year a new understanding and a mutual relationship has developed between ourselves and other key organizations working in our field. The project offers 22 service users a structured timetable of events which in turn helps them to build a foundation for their recovery. With pride, Touchstones12 is the key abstinence based referral option for service users in North Wales.

Letter published in the North Wales Weekly News – November 2008

“I am sick and tired of reading bad press about touchstones12. Does it really matter where the clients come from as long as they are willing to receive treatment and they are trying to turn their lives around? In an ideal world we would be treating local people, but what if they do not want help? 

Most clients who enter Touchstones12 do so voluntarily and they should be praised for taking this courageous step, not made to feel ashamed and inferior to everyone else.

Do we stop people from outside the area and from other countries getting accommodation? No we do not. Should we vet them first to see if they have a drug and alcohol problem? Of course not. 

Residents living nearby say they have real concerns. Why? 

I live on a small housing estate in the town which is full of alcoholics and drug dealers. What about theses people who are living among us without support or a desire to stop. They are a real danger. 

I know several people who have been treated successfully at Touchstones12, most of them local, and I have nothing but praise for the rehab.

My message to them is keep doing the good work!”   

What’s Happening 2008 2009?

At the yearend we are able to see that previous nurturing of the finances has borne a healthy development of the accounts. The year ahead will be difficult to gauge at this point in time due to a reduced residency income resulting from necessary refurbishment construction work. Major construction work will be ongoing throughout the year ahead. The estimated time for the completion of works will be March 2010. It is a realization that whilst the construction work is being carried out there will be swings and roundabouts with regard to finances in the year ahead. On the positive side reduced maintenance costs will swell the financial reservoir; conversely reduced occupancy levels will deplete natural sources of income. However, it is anticipated that the organisation will continue to make financial gains across several new sectors in the year ahead. In practice we are aware that we will have to lose some to win some in order to create a better environment for both our workforce and service users.

A major consideration for this year has been the identification of a new managing partner. Several potential partners were identified, but the process funneled in the direction of Pennaf who appeared to be a best fit partner in developing circumstances at the time. In the year ahead we are very encouraged to know that we will be changing our ASP and working closely with Pennaf. Above all we are confident that our main focus will remain true to helping vulnerable people.  

Norfolk House is currently being extensively renovated therefore it will not be a priority to extensively raise the profile of the organization this year. To place this in context, whilst the construction works are in progress at Norfolk House there will be a number of facility restrictions and limited bed-space availability. However, in practice we will remain fluidly operational and support our service users with all available resources.

Rob Smith, Project Director

On behalf of the staff and our service users I’d like forward a special thanks to the Board of Trustees for their loyalty, support and for the sound advice that they have given us throughout the year. In line with our thanks, I would like to praise the members of the committee for their valued contribution of unpaid time. On a personal note, I would like to express my appreciation to my team for unequivocally supporting me and Touchstones12 throughout the year. I can only give special thanks to Chris Goodwin for his professional friendship and his tireless commitment to the cause. Foremost I am proud of all the staff team for their ability to deliver a compassionate and caring service. I would also like to thank all of the service users that have placed their trust and believed in our service.          

To date, my own personal achievements have been evident in the stability and order that I have instilled throughout my time at the project. In 2006 the project was seriously ailing from the effects of many exhaustive changes, but since that time I have played my role by advising, negotiating and guiding the project through three major audit points and ultimately developed policies, procedures and introduced employment management systems. Today I feel confident that my contribution has been valued because we are looking healthier and more vibrant than at any other point in the history of the Charity.   

Working for Touchstones12 is emotionally demanding but with sense of worth. In reality our clients are drowning on dry land, but we aim to provide them with a neutral ground to enable and empower them to make life saving changes of their own choice. Change is one of the only certainties in life, the only fact is that we know is that our lives will change over the course of time. Thankfully many of our service users manage to develop their motivation to change as exemplified by those who are alive and well for today.    

One of the highlights this year has been the inception of a new musical project in association with TAPE (a local community music and film company). In tune with the TAPE project five of our services users formed a rock band, naming the band using a play on words ‘theinbytens’ (house door closes at 10:00pm). The band has practiced hard and recorded some worthy material culminating in a number of live performances.

The essence of our role is to create an environment where individuals will have a chance to develop and change their life. Out of chaos comes order, I believe that we have managed to create a special environment that comprises aspects of grit, empathy and love. Overall, this project is a special place where many service users have stabilized and gained their inspiration, self belief and confidence to aid recovery.

Once again we are very grateful to the local authority and all the agencies that have supported Touchstones12 in the past year. Time has passed since we first moved to Norfolk House, therefore in closing I would like to personally thank the local community for their support and local embracement.   

Robert G Smith