Birmingham drug and alcohol charity changing Britain is going out of business

A major drug and alcohol treatment center that has helped more than 1,000 people in Birmingham has ceased trading after failing to secure new funding.

Changes UK ran a Recovery Central in Digbeth, supporting addicts and their families.

It also provided accommodation for 65 vulnerable adults in recovery facilities across the city.

The charity struggled to secure long-term funding and a potential merger never materialized.

The company had been in talks to merge with national addictions charity Forward Trust, but revealed last year that legal restrictions at its Digbeth headquarters would make the merger difficult.

Changes UK said it has been unable to find funding to meet the rising costs it faces in delivering its services.

An insolvency administrator was called and the charity ceased trading on Friday, the BBC reported.

“We are extremely proud of the impact we have had on the city over the past 16 years,” said Director of Operations Anthony Coakley.

“We have achieved an incredible success rate in terms of the number of people we have helped in the fight against addiction, families restored, and sustained recovery.

“This is all due to the dedication, compassion and professionalism of our staff and the support we receive from our community.”

Changes UK said it was working with partners in Birmingham to look into the possibility of making savings on some of its services to “avoid any evictions or unsupported customers”.

In December, the family, which had been supported by Changes UK, called on other charities to help secure its future.

And the demand for recovery services in Birmingham is increasing.

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows there were 102 drug-related deaths in Birmingham in 2022, almost half of the total of 207 across the West Midlands.

Deaths have increased by 15% in the past two years, raising concerns about the viability of services supporting addicts.

The BBC understands that the planned merger with Forward Trust ran into problems due to liability, or restrictions, placed on the Digbeth estate.

This was introduced in 2014 when Changes UK secured £800,000 of public funding to reopen the building and provide services.

Among other things, the legal charges prevented the charity from borrowing money against its properties, preventing it from raising further funds, it said.

Birmingham City Council has been contacted for comment and previously said: “The basis of this registered charge has not changed.”