Get to know us Our approach Paulo Freire is someone we reference on our Psychology for Change course. A lot. While working with marginalised, illiterate and disenfranchised communities in Brazil, Freire developed a revolutionary approach to education that disrupted the traditional power dynamics between teachers and students. He emphasised the importance of connecting personal experiences to broader societal forces and was explicit about education as being inherently political. His approach closely aligns with our own philosophy of learning at Foundation for Chance. We have developed a unique methodology for working with substance use and responses to trauma Developed initially over a ten year period within the mainstream drug and alcohol treatment sector, and followed by another ten years of further strengthening and refining, the Foundation for Change Approach is a sophisticated response to a significant gap in understanding and support for people leaving drug and alcohol treatment services. It also reflects a crucial response to recovery that is often missing throughout the treatment process, and within services more broadly. We believe: that knowledge is power. in the transformative power of learning and the role it plays in liberating people from shame. that every human being has the right to flourish. that everyone has the right to feel – emotions and a connection to our bodies is our birthright. in the democratisation of knowledge and resources to support wellbeing. that everyone has the right to live with dignity, respect and fulfill their potential. that people are multi-faceted, capable human beings who are more than the label of an 'addict'. We support people to manage the often difficult transition between leaving treatment services and being part of society. Our approach focuses on: Broadening the focus on individuals as whole, complex people rather than as addicts. This begins as soon as people enter our referral process and throughout their journey with us. Being intentional in all we do to support this shift in identity. From using deliberate terminology (people are ‘trainees with tutors’ not ‘service-users with key workers’ for instance) to creating a space for learning and being that is warm, calming and non-clinical. Supporting a shift in people’s relationship to learning through exploring theories and ideas in a way that is accessible, stimulating and engaging, and that harnesses their natural curiosity. Supporting people to develop vocabulary and language to make sense of theirs and others’ lives, and the world around them. Encouraging people to develop systemic, critical and meta cognitive thinking skills through which they shed previously held negative beliefs about themselves, learn to trust themselves and find their voices. These skills also enable individuals to better understand the world around them, revealing how personal experiences are deeply connected to broader political and social structures - the personal is political. Our approach to recovery At FfC, we see the concept of recovery as being something that is relevant to everyone. We see the content of our courses as well as the culture in which learning takes place as being both relatable and transferable in addressing the emotional and existential distress felt by all human beings. To us, recovery is not a destination, but an ongoing practice of curiosity, self-discovery, connection, integration and authenticity. For these reasons, this definition of recovery really resonates with us: “ Recovery is a personal journey of discovery. It involves making sense of, and finding meaning in, what has happened; becoming an expert in your own self-care; building a new sense of self and purpose in life; discovering your own resourcefulness and possibilities and using these, and the resources available to you, to pursue your own aspirations and goals. ” - Repper & Perkins, 2012 Our approach supports individuals to move beyond mere abstinence to a place of profound personal growth, meaning and empowerment, ensuring our graduates have the tools and resources they need to thrive in their lives. Learn more about our courses. Manage Cookie Preferences ✕