- Janis receiving MBE from HRH Prince Charles, 2010
1998 to May 2000 : Janis Feely (an addiction counsellor) approaches local churches to support her vision for a structured day treatment centre. Janis undertakes extensive local lobbying, networking and presentations to communities and churches
The Living Room launches in May 2000 through the support of local people and Council.
The Living Room has grown from providing treatment to a few clients at a local community centre to a nationally recognised centre for addiction treatment. Between 60% and 70% of those engaging in our services leave free of their drug of choice. Our advocacy work with Children, Schools and Family has seen 32 children returned from ‘looked after care’ to parents (now recovered from addiction) and many more removed from the ‘Child Protection Register’.
May 2000 to April 2003: We secure suitable self-contained council owned site in 2002. We recruit key staff admin, and treatment team. The fully refurbished includes a crèche decorated by clients. We start running small groups for those with sex and love addictions and eating disorders.
April 2003 to March 2005 First sponsored fundraising events include a parachute jump and national motorcycle tour.
First ex-client recruited on to Board of Trustees. We receive a highly commended award from The Centre for Social Justice Awards.
April 2005 to March 2007 : We open our first charity shop (Revival). We hold our first Charity Ball – attracting high profile guests including the Mayor of Stevenage and High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.
April 2007 to March 2010. We receive our second Highly Commended Award from Centre for Social Justice. Our Freedom Project (working with young sex workers) wins a High Sherriff Award. Wynford Ellis Owen, CEO of The Welsh Council of Alcohol and Other Drugs http://www.welshcouncil.org.uk begins work on establishing a bilingual Living Room in Cardiff, Wales. Janis receives many awards both nationally and locally including most notibly an MBE in the 2010 New Year’s Honours List.
