Timetable Of Events From Conception To Opening
01. Beginning (2002). Two founding members Elizabeth Geary and Sandra Goggins start a support group for carers at St Johns Church, Church Street, Seaham
02. The group advertises its existence and attracts support. A grant of £500, private donation, by Mr Thomas Stuart Senior helps to finance it and money was raised internally to continue funding it
03. The group attracts new members and with the support of the press attracts attention of the County Durham Drug & Alcohol Action Team and the support of Mandy English, the user and carer’s officer for Durham
04. The group publishes the plight of some of its members and holds an open forum in 2003 at St Johns Church
05. Members of the public, local politicians, social services representatives, the police, The Drug & Alcohol Action Team and members of other drug agencies meet to discuss substance misuse in the area
06. New members include recovering addicts, local politicians and the help of Community Enterprise Direct in the form of Michael Dennison
07. The group with the help of CED forms its aims, objectives and ethos
08. The original members of the support group form the committee of the trustees of the new FREE THE WAY board
09. A company with charitable aims is formed and its structure constructed. Its memorandum and articles of association are formulated
10. The organisation becomes a company limited by guarantee and its business plan is formulated
11. Mrs Elizabeth Geary was Chair of the group until ill health forces her withdrawal
12. With the help of the Durham Drug and Alcohol Action Team, Primary Care Trust, Community Enterprise Direct and others funding is sought to locate premises and further the aims and objectives of the charity
13. 2003. Premises are obtained, planning permission is sought and a lease is drawn up for a five-year period. Tom Stuart takes over as chair
14. Opposition is overcome and reports are prepared showing the need for the centre and its services. Petitions and questionnaires get the support of the public. An open forum is held at Seaham Leisure Centre to address the fears of the public and shopkeepers in Church Street
15. Planning permission and funding are granted and work commences on the renovation and fit out of the premises
16. Premises are renovated, shop fit is completed and staff are recruited. The manager is hired, volunteers secured and the centre is ready for opening
17. Opening day 2nd August 2004. David Cliff, Mandy English from the Drug and Alcohol Action Team, Dr Roger Balis Chief Executive, Easington Primary Care Trust. Anna Lynch is invited to opening day
18. The centre is launched and is immediately inundated with young homeless substance misusers
19. More staff are recruited as more funding is secured with the help of the Drug and Alcohol Action Team and the Primary Care Trust
20. The centre becomes a runaway success as in the first month over 300 addicts and carers use its services
