SURREY DRUG AND ALCOHOL CARE LIMITED

RCN 1151494, Guildford

Supporting anyone struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, or wanting to seek support, help or make changes for themselves or their loved ones. People using drugs and alcohol often need support for their mental health, due to chemical changes in the brain, SDAC provide one to one support for mild to moderate mental health and can work with dual diagnosis. SDAC is a small Independent Charity who relies on support of donations to help anyone in Surrey to access immediate one to one counselling, support groups or boot camp program SDAC are open 365 days per year and the helpline offers confidential support, signposting and referral into Telephone Counselling Service providing psychosocial interventions by contracted BACP Registered Counsellors (within 24-72 hrs). SDAC outreach team provide educational talks to schools, colleges and other professional groups. In the UK 602,000 are alcohol dependant causing over 7000 deaths per year, to have immediate free support, can save someone's life and significantly change the lives of their family and loved ones..

SURREY DRUG AND ALCOHOL CARE LIMITED

Hi my name is Alison, I am 58 years old, I have decided to walk the Caminho 31 April 2025, which is 162 miles from Porto to Santiago de Campostela.

There are two reasons for this firstly; I retired from SDAC after 10 years as a counsellor, SDAC helps substance users to immediately enter into counselling, one to one or attend SDAC group abstinence program. They also offer family support for bereavement or individual support for anyone affected by others substance use/mental health.

As a counsellor, I listened to stories of people in pain, childhood neglect, sexual and domestic abuse, as well as mental health/neurodiversity challenges and feeling never good enough. I myself, can empathise with being told this at school/work as I am neurodiverse.

I am taking on this challenge, because in recovery, we know that mindfulness/connecting with nature is good for our wellbeing, I want to challenge myself and do this walk for all the clients who were brave enough to call and engage, or make changes and share very personal stories and trusted in me.

I will be reflecting on my own life and my next chapter in life, whilst walking the Caminho. I believe individuals accomplish incredible things if you have help to believe your own possibilities, this is why counselling is so important. 

I feel funding is desperately needed for this Charity to support individuals and may literally save someones life, this impacts not only their lives but the life of their loved ones. Its sad that often help is overlooked due to stigma around substances. Its also vital that people who have suffered loss of a loved one have confidental bereavement support.

I believe people can make incredible changes, if they get support quickly and its easy to access, which SDAC does well. 

This quote is one I personally like:

 “It is the people who no one imagined anything of who do the things no one can imagine.” Alan Turing's

  



Fundraisers


Latest

Angie Debenham – £40

Good luck!! We will be following your progress and sending lots of love! Great cause hope you reach your target! xxx

4th March 2025   Donation for: WALKING THE CAMINO FROM PORTO TO SANTIAGO

Sally Daniels – £40 + an est. £10.00 in Gift Aid

Alison, well done on taking on this fantastic challenge, wishing you every success and no blisters!

24th February 2025  

David Kerr – £100 + an est. £25.00 in Gift Aid

Best of luck Alison. What an amazing thing to do for SDAC! You helped many people including me to get well and build a new, sober life and the funds you raise will do the same for people out there who need SDAC's help. Happy hiking, one step at a time!

19th February 2025   Donation for: WALKING THE CAMINO FROM PORTO TO SANTIAGO

Charlotte Bushrod – £20 + an est. £5.00 in Gift Aid

Good luck Ali! Brilliant cause. Lots of love Charlotte, David, Bonnie and mini-pig xxx

18th February 2025   Donation for: WALKING THE CAMINO FROM PORTO TO SANTIAGO

Donate to this charity