From survivor to contributor
After overcoming addiction’s grip and reconnecting with others, there comes a crucial next step in the journey toward recovery and a fulfilling life: taking action. Charter Recovery Housing’s third phase, ‘Do,’ is all about moving from healing and connection to purposeful engagement. In this stage, residents step fully into life by learning new skills, finding employment, and setting goals for a future filled with possibility and pride. This phase is about finding and embracing a new sense of purpose, allowing people to experience the fulfillment that comes with achievement and contribution.
For commissioners and referrers, understanding the importance of the ‘Do’ phase is essential. It’s the step that solidifies recovery, transforming individuals from survivors to contributors, ready to add value to their communities. In ‘Do,’ Charter doesn’t just help people survive recovery; it helps them thrive.
Learning and building skills for a new life
Many people who come to Charter have had limited access to education, employment, and career development opportunities. In some cases, addiction and homelessness have held them back from achieving their potential for years or even decades. The “Do” phase provides a path to skills and qualifications, empowering individuals to envision a new career and a new future.
Charter offers access to educational programmes, vocational training, and workshops that provide residents with valuable, practical skills. This might mean taking a course, learning a trade, or building computer literacy—whatever they need to enter the workforce with confidence. For many, these opportunities spark a renewed sense of self-worth as they see themselves not just as people recovering from the past, but as individuals with unique talents and capabilities to offer. This transformative learning experience is more than just training; it’s an invitation to rediscover talents and possibilities that may have felt lost.
Achieving employment and financial independence
Finding employment is a major milestone for individuals in recovery. Having a job is more than a source of income; it’s a way to feel self-sufficient, empowered, and genuinely contributing to society. Charter works closely with residents to help them identify career goals, prepare for interviews, and develop job-related skills. Through partnerships with local businesses and job placement services, residents have access to employment opportunities that suit their interests and strengths.
For many, this phase marks a significant turning point. Earning your own money represents a step toward financial independence and stability, allowing individuals to create a life they can control and be proud of. Employment also offers a routine, a sense of responsibility, and the satisfaction that comes with working toward something greater than oneself. Each workday becomes a reminder that they have overcome the past and are actively shaping their own future.
Volunteering and giving back
The journey to recovery is often filled with moments of support from others, and for many, the ‘Do’ phase includes a deep desire to give something back. At Charter, residents are encouraged to volunteer and contribute to their communities, paying forward the kindness and support they received. Through volunteer opportunities, individuals in recovery gain a sense of purpose and pride that comes from knowing they’re making a positive impact on others.
Whether it’s organising a community clean-up, or mentoring someone in an earlier stage of recovery, these acts of service offer a new perspective and renewed purpose. Volunteering isn’t just about giving; it’s about realising that every individual, regardless of their past, has the power to make a meaningful difference. This experience also reinforces the idea that they are part of a larger community—a network of people who rely on and support each other.
Celebrating success and supporting others
Milestones deserve to be celebrated, and the ‘Do’ phase is full of achievements worth recognising. Every certificate earned, every volunteer hour completed, every job landed is a triumph over adversity. Charter encourages residents to celebrate these successes openly, creating an environment where achievements are recognised and shared. This celebration of progress not only strengthens residents’ confidence but also serves as inspiration to others on the same path.
In the ‘Do’ phase, individuals are encouraged to support and mentor others, sharing what they’ve learned along the way. For someone who has completed the journey from the darkness of addiction to the accomplishment of employment or certification, their story becomes a beacon of hope for those who are still struggling. By helping others, residents reinforce their own growth and recovery, finding that the joy of supporting others is often one of the most rewarding aspects of their own healing journey.
The power of purpose: embracing the ‘do’ phase
At its core, the ‘Do’ phase is about moving from survival to purpose, from merely existing to truly contributing. It provides a path for individuals to regain a sense of control over their lives, to recognise their strengths, and to see themselves as valuable, capable people. By learning new skills, gaining employment, and giving back to the community, residents move beyond recovery to become leaders, role models, and contributors.
For commissioners and referrers, the ‘Do’ phase is an assurance that Charter Recovery Housing is creating a sustainable, lasting impact. Individuals who complete the programme leave with not only a new perspective on their potential but also with practical tools, a support network, and the confidence to navigate the future on their own terms. Through ‘Do,’ Charter doesn’t just provide temporary relief—it builds a legacy of independence, resilience, and community.
In the end, the ‘Do’ phase is more than a stage in a programme; it’s the realisation of a new life. It’s where people find purpose, pride, and fulfillment that carry them forward. Through this final phase, individuals don’t just recover—they rebuild, redefine, and reclaim a life filled with promise, purpose, and pride.
If you are interested in how we work and would like to make a referral, or need more information, please contact us directly for an initial conversation.
