Gateway Foundation
Richard Taylor’s Gateway News!

Joseph has struggled with alcoholism for numerous years following a series of events that dictated hard times for him. He resorted to what he felt gave him comfort, which happened to be Vodka. This coupled with other circumstances, Joseph found himself homeless and living on the streets.

Luckily for Joseph an old friend of his would not give up on him and would visit him most days on the street to offer shelter, and food. Joseph would often decline both. However, his friend was also a member of The Gateway foundation’s Tuesday night mentorship group. After some persuading Joseph attended. during the last 3 months Joseph has maintained sobriety, and is a regular attendee of Gateway.

Matthew attended the Gateway Mentorship group 4 weeks ago, with his employer who is a member of Gateway. Matthew had moved from Poland some years ago and had developed quite a serious Cannabis habit. Following attendance at Gateway, and the support of the people from Gateway, Matthew has successfully stopped smoking Cannabis, and is back in regular full time work.

He says it isn’t easy but the help he receives has had a big part to play in his ongoing recovery.

I was given the priveledge of presenting the work and vision of the Gateway foundation to a number of Rotary Club members at Halesowen on wednesday 10th June 2009. I took along with me two members of the Gateway mentorship programme.  Following my presentation and explanation of Gateway they both gave a brief outline of their lives, how Gateway had helped them and how now they saw a clearer future thanks to the help of Gateway. I then showed the Gateway DVD. 

Members were greatly impacted by the work we do. This opened up doors as I spoke to a councilor for the Dudley area who was so impressed with our work that he has arranged another presentation with the local authorities, young persons and adult services. His hope is to pursue funding for Gateway.

The Gateway foundation is pleased to be able to help yet another individual find a way forward in their lives.  Matthew has been a resident in Victory Outreach U.K for a long time after years of Cocaine and alcohol abuse. Through this structured environment Matthew has developed himself and become a manager of a residential environment himself.

Gateway is currently supporting this young man financially by covering the cost of his driving lessons, theory and practical driving tests. This will allow Matthew to commute between his family and work and also free up staff time, driving residents to needed appointments.

Alan has just finished his third year of a residential rehabilitation programme. Through his time at Victory Outreach U.K (one of Gateways’ partners) Alan has achieved and maintained abstinence and sobriety,  developed skills for life, and is now equipped for society.

Due to the length of time spent in a structured environment, Alan still feels he needs further support in the community. Thanks to the Gateway mentorship programme, Alan is accessing regular one to one aswell as group support in aiming for and achieving his goals. Through Gateway’s mentorship co ordinator Alan has also secured regular employment, and is now looking at a property to rent.

Alan states ” the help I have received through Gateway has helped me so much, without it i don’t know where I’d go or what i’d do”

Gateway is pleased to be able to help Alan in restructuring his life, enabling him to live a drug free life.

Matt one of long term members is now a fully fledged car valleter. He had been given business advice and support when needed to promote his venture. Since its beginning he has numerous regular clients and is known for doing a good job. This is a long way from the person he used to be. Matt took cocaine and alcohol for several years until finding help and support through Gateway.

February 28th 2009 saw the first Gateway skydive. 9 members took the plunge and raised just under £2800. This money will help many other people put their lives back together. A big thank you to all who volunteered to take part in the skydive. Your leap of faith will be instrumental in changing lives.

Gateway has moved up a gear and is now being modelled on a smaller scale in the north. A church in Sheffield are now using the Gateway model on a tuesday evening. Members with past and current substance misuse issues are welcomed into the home of a church member who once had problems with drugs. It is a safe environment for members to discuss their issues and to find sollutions. Individuals have the same oppurtinities as the Gateway members in solihull. So when and if there is a need for onward referral to a rehabilitation centre or detox centre the members are welcome to access these avenues.

Jay began attending tuesday evening mentor group just over 5 weeks ago. Jay had been addicted to cocaine and alcohol for numerous years. Following regular attendance he is now abstinent and back into work. He has also started back at the gym. After discussing his future career prospects, Jay is now looking at the possibility of accessing funding from the Gateway foundation to pursue further education.

 Gateway would like to offer thanks and congratulations to Sean. Sean has recently taken responsibility of individual mentoring for Gateway. His role includes co facilitation in the mentorship group on tuesday evenings, training individuals to mentor others, and furthering their skills through local colleges.  Simon is a company director and is married to Karen who is also being trained to mentor female members of Gateway