Nestled within the heart of Stockton, The Moses Project serves as a beacon of transformation for men aged 25 and above who are grappling with substance misuse issues, often coupled with experiences of homelessness. Each year, the Project welcomes approximately 250 men - a dynamic mix of new faces, long-term beneficiaries, and those who return to lend a hand as volunteers.
Established in 2012, The Moses Project is grounded in compassionate, non-judgemental care, balanced with firm yet fair boundaries. The organisation’s founders, Brian and Stella, identified a gaping chasm between beneficiaries and the organisations created to help them. They saw how easy it was for marginalised men to lapse into addiction and therefore set about changing these outcomes. Recognising this gap in provision, they founded The Moses Project to serve as a bridge between local service providers and the men who urgently required their help.
The Project prioritises the basics first: providing a hot meal, clean clothes, and finding the men a safe place to sleep. Next, the team tend to their health needs, such as walking them round to the GP or to hospital appointments, not only to make sure they attend but being their advocate ensuring they receive the right care. This all happens over weeks and months, as statutory services simply do not have the resource to offer this level of care and support. Once these more immediate needs are met, the long-term journey begins, working tirelessly to help the men regain control of their lives.
The decision to go into rehabilitation is not an easy one. Despite media portrayal, the reality is the journey takes at least 12 months in a residential facility and the men have to really want to change. That’s why the team work with them for so long beforehand (many for two years plus), changing mindsets toward recovery through holistic wraparound support. The Project’s in-depth, person-centred services include the following non-exhaustive list:
Advice and guidance; covering areas from addiction, homelessness, employment, nutrition, to securing a tenancy, and positive mental health.
Access to online services; staff sit with the men and teach them to use a laptop or mobile device to apply for benefits, for a job, learn how to pay bills, etc.
Support during a crisis; the team are a listening ear, they take the men to hospital, to rehab, liaise with the police, social workers, the courts – the list is extensive.
Reduce isolation; many of the men are scared to build relationships due to childhood trauma and abuse. The team create a safe community where they belong and can build genuine friendships.
Provide essential food, toiletries and clothes; this includes hot meals, food parcels, basic hygiene items and more, as well as washing clothes and other items.
Holistic wraparound care; this approach ensures the Project addresses the complex issues leading to poverty, offering ways for the men to empower themselves and reclaim their lives.
Once clean and in a tenancy, individuals are matched with a buddy for ongoing mentored support to give them the best chance of success. By maintaining a visible local presence since 2012, the team have built trust with beneficiaries, as well as forging strong relationships with other agencies and becoming a trusted professional partner.
With support from the Foundation, The Moses Project will increase staff ‘Floor Worker’ capacity. The Floor Workers are fundamental roles; they are the first port of call, beginning the process of meeting basic needs whilst unpicking the men’s circumstances and starting to put an individualised plan in place. The ultimate aim of the Project is to welcome any man aged 25+ and offer support to achieve a full and meaningful life, free from addiction. The Foundation will work with the team as the Project continues to grow and develop, recognising it takes a long-term, consistent and multi-faceted approach to put a life back together.
