Who are Kaleidoscope?
Today Kaleidoscope runs projects across Wales and helps upwards of 10,000 people a year to achieve their goals and live better in their communities.
Our teams are based throughout Wales, as well as our residential treatment centre in the Wirral, but our story began in Kingston upon Thames. It’s 1968 and sex and drugs are the height of fashion. Pubs close their doors at 11pm, unrest brews in the streets and large brawls erupt. A safe place is needed for Kingston’s youth to gather.
Kaleidoscope, set up within an urban church, became that place. The name reflected the shattered pieces of youth culture coming together, be they mods, rockers, teddy boys, hippies or Hell’s Angels – everyone was welcome at Kaleidoscope.
Since moving to Wales we have become a major substance use service provider, committed to keeping our clients at the centre of all that we do. The people who use our services are achieving incredible things, but don’t just take our word for it…
"I turned to heroin to cope with OCD - now I want to help others."
After a decade battling drug addiction and negative mental health, Cullan Mais has come full circle. Now eight months free of heroin, he’s launched The Central Club podcast to help others overcome adversity.
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"I’ve got my families' full support, but those without loved ones around them could be using more drugs and alcohol to fight loneliness."
As drug and alcohol referrals to our Powys services are just 32% of this time last year, Rachel is urging those struggling to seek help, despite lockdown conditions.
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"It was a slippery slope. Before I knew it I was relying on alcohol to feel I belonged – to be outgoing, funny, one of the lads – it just got worse from there."
Champion Boxer Russell was getting hurt fighting for money just to fund his addiction - but now he's turned his life around and is helping others to do the same.
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"I always thought, having the lived experience I had, that people would look down on me for jobs. But Kaleidoscope embraced it."
Tony battled a 20 year addiction to heroin. Now he's mentoring others to overcome the challenges he's faced.
Read MoreAre you, or someone you know, struggling with drug or alcohol use?
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