Sex, Drugs, and Social Unrest
Our story begins in Kingston upon Thames, 1968. It was an era when sex and drugs were at the forefront of youth culture, while pubs shut at 11 pm and the streets buzzed with unrest and brawls. Amidst this, a safe haven was needed for Kingston’s youth to gather. Enter Kaleidoscope.
Born from an urban church, Kaleidoscope quickly became a refuge where all were welcome—mods, rockers, teddy boys, hippies, and even Hell’s Angels. The name reflected the fractured yet vibrant youth culture, where the pieces of different subcultures came together.
A Mission to Protect the Youth
From the outset, Kaleidoscope’s mission was simple: protect people. We launched a clinic in the Minister’s office, offering treatment and advice without judgment. What began as a small service for the club’s members soon grew in both popularity and controversy, extending to the wider community. By 1975, the organisation had outgrown its space, and in 1977, a new building—a red-brick church, hostel, and club—opened its doors.
Ahead of Its Time
Kaleidoscope was groundbreaking in its approach to drug services, adopting harm reduction before it was widely accepted. We introduced methadone to help people stabilise their drug use and, in 1986, launched the UK’s first needle syringe exchange. We also developed the first methadone dispensing service, removing waiting lists and getting people the help they needed, fast.
Our influence soon spread overseas, supporting emerging drug services in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Asia. In India and Nepal, we established the first needle syringe exchange in Calcutta and a methadone service in Kathmandu, changing lives far beyond the UK.
A New Chapter in Wales
The turn of the millennium marked a dramatic shift for Kaleidoscope. In 2002, we were invited to start a new service in Newport, which quickly became the heart of our operations. Within just three months, 100 people were in treatment. That number grew to 500 in the first year.
A New Era with a Nod to the Past
Since moving to Wales, Kaleidoscope has grown into one of the UK’s leading substance misuse service providers. We run projects across the country and operate a 20-bed detox unit in the Wirral. Today, our 240 staff support over 10,000 people a year.
We’re entering a new chapter. After years of leadership, Martin Blakebrough is stepping down as CEO. Taking the helm is Rondine Molinaro, a 20-year veteran of Kaleidoscope. With deep experience in community drug and alcohol services, she’s a passionate advocate for service user rights.
Kaleidoscope remains one of the few not-for-profits that still feels like a family. With Rondine leading the way, we’re well-positioned for the next phase of our journey.