Kate's Patronages: Action on Addiction!
Welcome to the first in a new series of posts taking a closer look at Kate's patronages and her work with them over the years. Some years ago, the young royals made a decision to take on far fewer patronages than older generations in order to focus on specific causes close to their hearts. We've very much seen Kate follow that model over the past seven years. Kate's first patronage announcements came in January 2012 - they included Action on Addiction, East Anglia's Children's Hospices, the National Portrait Gallery and the Art Room.
At the time, in 2012, the Palace told The Telegraph's Gordon Rayner:
Today, we're chatting about Action on Addiction. Whilst William was deployed in the Falklands, Kate undertook her first visit as Patron of the organisation in February 2012, with a private visit to treatment clinic, Clouds House, in Salisbury.
The national charity offers high quality, effective residential rehab and community based addiction treatment. Action on Addiction provides residential and day treatment for addictions to drugs, alcohol, gambling and other behaviours. The charity offers life-saving treatment to individuals and families at its flagship treatment centre, Clouds House in Wiltshire, and at its community-based treatment centres in Essex and Liverpool. It also offers education to degree level at the Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies and funds and promotes research into effective responses to addiction.
On Valentine's Day 2012, Kate travelled to Liverpool to visit alcohol free bar The Brink, a successful project run by Action on Addiction.
The success of the Brink is a testament to the fact alcohol does not have to play a part in socialising and enjoying yourself. It is also a recovery enterprise, which means all profits go directly back into the community to fund support for those who have suffered through alcoholism and addiction.
The Duchess Smoothie became very popular after the visit :)
During her first official trip to the north-east in October 2012, Kate met representatives from Action on Addiction's programme M-PACT (Moving Parents and Children Together). The aim is to provide support and guidance for children affected by parental drug and alcohol misuse. It is a subject she is clearly interested in�, said Nick Barton, the charity�s chief executive. �She chose us because she had realised that with many problems faced by young people, the trail always led to back to addiction of some sort, whether alcohol, drugs or something else.� A 2009 report estimated that 3.5 million children in the UK are affected by parental alcohol misuse and 1.5 million by parental drug misuse across the country; and without long term support, the children of addicts are seven times more likely to develop an addiction themselves.
Kate visited Action on Addiction's Hope House in February 2013 when she was expecting Prince George. The Duchess had been away from the spotlight for several months as she was suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum. Kate returned to duties looking and feeling much better after a family holiday to Mustique with the Middletons. Hope House is a safe and secure place for women to recover from substance dependence and receive additional support for other compulsive disorders. Many of the clients have a history of difficult relationships and find an all-female environment a supportive place to work through issues and begin to recover.
Clearly inspired and encouraged by the work of the M-PACT programme she saw during her visit to Newcastle, Kate launched M-PACT Plus in April 2013, an initiative to support children, parents and families affected by parental drug and alcohol misuse, with the aim of providing early specialist support to children to prevent these inevitable outcomes. The project involved training school staff to identify children affected by a parent's drug or alcohol misuse. It then brings families together to work with trained practitioners. The project is a partnership between The Royal Foundation, Action on Addiction and Place2Be.
Kate delivered a speech where she revealed she was "struck" by the damaging impact addiction has on children.
At this point, we were beginning to see Kate's interest in early intervention emerge.
The Duchess was elegant in her much loved Jenny Packham gown for the 100 Women in Hedge Funds Gala at Kensington Palace in October 2013. The gala benefited Action on Addiction. It was held shortly after George's christening and discussion quickly turned to the little prince. Kate said "He was such a good boy actually, he's not always like that, but, the people there, lots going on, it's slightly distracting."
In July 2014, The Duchess arrived at Blessed Sacrament School in Islington, wearing a coral GOAT dress, to view the progress of the M-Pact Plus programme.
The Duchess met project co-ordinators and school head teachers to gain a real insight into the progress made since the launch before joining a private counselling session. Kate asked "Have you found it difficult to attract parents given the stigma that can be associated with these issues?".
In October 2014, the Duchess attended Action on Addiction's Autumn Gala. Chief executive, Nick Barton said: "The Duchess of Cambridge has shown unwavering support of the charity and we are delighted that our patron is able to attend the Autumn Gala evening. We are enormously grateful that Her Royal Highness helped us to keep addiction very much in the spotlight by her involvement to help reduce the stigma surrounding the condition. The charity's mission is to free people from addiction and we hope this evening will help us to make further progress in achieving that aim."
The Duchess of Cambridge made her first official visit to Wiltshire in December 2015 with a visit to Action on Addiction's Centre for Treatment Studies in Warminster.
Kate with Addiction Treatment Studies students.
During Kate's first solo overseas visit to the Netherlands in October 2016, she convened a roundtable discussion on the themes of addiction, intervention, family and mental health. The discussion brought together professionals from the renowned Trimbos Institute in the Netherlands, with the Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families and Action on Addiction.
In November 2016, Kate walked the red carpet in a Self-Portrait gown, for the Recovery Street Film Festival and the UK premiere of 'A Street Cat Named Bob' in London. The Duchess viewed the highlights of the Recovery Street Film Festival, which focuses on filmmakers who have experience of recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, whether their own or that of a loved one. The festival was established by a consortium of charities including Action on Addiction. The aim is to empower people affected by addiction by giving them a voice, and providing a platform for them to tell the stories of the �ups and downs� and how they reached recovery.
The premiere of 'A Street Cat Named Bob' benefited Action on Addiction, and it was interesting to see the charity linking both of this evening's engagements. Graham Beech, chief executive of the organisation said: "Today, we are highlighting the message which is a theme of the film that even in the depths of addiction, there is hope. Addiction is a devastating condition which affects individuals, families and the wider community, and people find it difficult to talk about the issue. We are grateful to the Duchess for continuing to ensure that the subject of addiction is not ignored, and that people are encouraged to speak out and seek support and treatment."
In February 2018, Duchess Kate officially opened Action on Addiction's new treatment centre in Wickford, Essex.
The Duchess also launched the charity's community-based recovery programme 'Clouds in the Community'. It is is a Self-Help Addiction Recovery Programme (SHARP) that provides an effective alternative to residential treatment, and enables the charity to provide services for more people in more places. 'Clouds in the Community' is the starting point for long-term recovery and abstinence, and leads to improvements in participants� physical and psychological health, self-efficacy, and overall quality of life. Independent evaluation of the programme in Essex showed that almost 80 per cent of clients did not return to any treatment service upon completion of the scheme.
During an impromptu speech, Kate looked back on the six years since she began supporting the charity and credited getting involved with Action on Addiction as "the start of my learning" which led to her work in mental health. She added: "You're very special to me."
When Kate's first patronages were announced in 2012, this was one that piqued my interest in particular. It's a difficult, challenging and stigmatised area. I don't think there are any of us who haven't been touched by addiction in some form, whether it's the heartbreak of watching a loved one struggling, or battling it personally. The work they do is absolutely vital and it's been a joy to watch the organisation grow over the years. If you would like to find out more about Action on Addiction or donate, please click here.
At the time, in 2012, the Palace told The Telegraph's Gordon Rayner:
"She is in a unique time of her life,� said a Royal spokesman. �She has no children, her husband is in a full time job and is not a full time member of the Royal. She has the time to really get stuck into these new roles. They reflect her Royal Highness� personal interests in the arts, the promotion of outdoor activity, and supporting people who are in need of all ages, especially young children."
Today, we're chatting about Action on Addiction. Whilst William was deployed in the Falklands, Kate undertook her first visit as Patron of the organisation in February 2012, with a private visit to treatment clinic, Clouds House, in Salisbury.
The national charity offers high quality, effective residential rehab and community based addiction treatment. Action on Addiction provides residential and day treatment for addictions to drugs, alcohol, gambling and other behaviours. The charity offers life-saving treatment to individuals and families at its flagship treatment centre, Clouds House in Wiltshire, and at its community-based treatment centres in Essex and Liverpool. It also offers education to degree level at the Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies and funds and promotes research into effective responses to addiction.
On Valentine's Day 2012, Kate travelled to Liverpool to visit alcohol free bar The Brink, a successful project run by Action on Addiction.
The success of the Brink is a testament to the fact alcohol does not have to play a part in socialising and enjoying yourself. It is also a recovery enterprise, which means all profits go directly back into the community to fund support for those who have suffered through alcoholism and addiction.
The Duchess Smoothie became very popular after the visit :)
Kate visited Action on Addiction's Hope House in February 2013 when she was expecting Prince George. The Duchess had been away from the spotlight for several months as she was suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum. Kate returned to duties looking and feeling much better after a family holiday to Mustique with the Middletons. Hope House is a safe and secure place for women to recover from substance dependence and receive additional support for other compulsive disorders. Many of the clients have a history of difficult relationships and find an all-female environment a supportive place to work through issues and begin to recover.
Clearly inspired and encouraged by the work of the M-PACT programme she saw during her visit to Newcastle, Kate launched M-PACT Plus in April 2013, an initiative to support children, parents and families affected by parental drug and alcohol misuse, with the aim of providing early specialist support to children to prevent these inevitable outcomes. The project involved training school staff to identify children affected by a parent's drug or alcohol misuse. It then brings families together to work with trained practitioners. The project is a partnership between The Royal Foundation, Action on Addiction and Place2Be.
Kate delivered a speech where she revealed she was "struck" by the damaging impact addiction has on children.
'Addiction is a hugely complex and destructive disease and its impact can be simply devastating. All too often, lives and families can be shattered by it. Through my patronage with Action on Addiction, I feel fortunate to have met a wide range of inspirational people who have overcome addiction. It is so encouraging to see with the right help - like that of Action on Addiction - it can be conquered.
But those who are addicted are not the only victims. I have been struck by the profound and deeply damaging impact it has on the children of affected parents. Research has shown that children of those who are addicted are seven times more likely to have addiction problems themselves. They are also brought up surrounded by fear, instability and chaos.
Last year, I asked The Royal Foundation, which I share with William and Harry, to see what could be done to help these children. In partnership with Comic Relief, our foundation commissioned a piece of research to explore this issue. Today, it gives me an enormous feeling of pride and excitement to launch a programme that will bring this research to life. Place 2 Be delivers exceptional specialist counselling services in schools. Action on Addiction's MPACT (Moving Parents and Children Together) programme delivers life changing and expert support to families affected by addiction. The Royal Foundation has simply brought these two outstanding charities together to deliver a programme that will ensure that many children living with addicted parents will be identified, supported and guided to look towards a positive and hopefully, addiction free future.'
At this point, we were beginning to see Kate's interest in early intervention emerge.
The Duchess was elegant in her much loved Jenny Packham gown for the 100 Women in Hedge Funds Gala at Kensington Palace in October 2013. The gala benefited Action on Addiction. It was held shortly after George's christening and discussion quickly turned to the little prince. Kate said "He was such a good boy actually, he's not always like that, but, the people there, lots going on, it's slightly distracting."
In July 2014, The Duchess arrived at Blessed Sacrament School in Islington, wearing a coral GOAT dress, to view the progress of the M-Pact Plus programme.
The Duchess met project co-ordinators and school head teachers to gain a real insight into the progress made since the launch before joining a private counselling session. Kate asked "Have you found it difficult to attract parents given the stigma that can be associated with these issues?".
In October 2014, the Duchess attended Action on Addiction's Autumn Gala. Chief executive, Nick Barton said: "The Duchess of Cambridge has shown unwavering support of the charity and we are delighted that our patron is able to attend the Autumn Gala evening. We are enormously grateful that Her Royal Highness helped us to keep addiction very much in the spotlight by her involvement to help reduce the stigma surrounding the condition. The charity's mission is to free people from addiction and we hope this evening will help us to make further progress in achieving that aim."
The Duchess of Cambridge made her first official visit to Wiltshire in December 2015 with a visit to Action on Addiction's Centre for Treatment Studies in Warminster.
Kate with Addiction Treatment Studies students.
During Kate's first solo overseas visit to the Netherlands in October 2016, she convened a roundtable discussion on the themes of addiction, intervention, family and mental health. The discussion brought together professionals from the renowned Trimbos Institute in the Netherlands, with the Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families and Action on Addiction.
In November 2016, Kate walked the red carpet in a Self-Portrait gown, for the Recovery Street Film Festival and the UK premiere of 'A Street Cat Named Bob' in London. The Duchess viewed the highlights of the Recovery Street Film Festival, which focuses on filmmakers who have experience of recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, whether their own or that of a loved one. The festival was established by a consortium of charities including Action on Addiction. The aim is to empower people affected by addiction by giving them a voice, and providing a platform for them to tell the stories of the �ups and downs� and how they reached recovery.
The premiere of 'A Street Cat Named Bob' benefited Action on Addiction, and it was interesting to see the charity linking both of this evening's engagements. Graham Beech, chief executive of the organisation said: "Today, we are highlighting the message which is a theme of the film that even in the depths of addiction, there is hope. Addiction is a devastating condition which affects individuals, families and the wider community, and people find it difficult to talk about the issue. We are grateful to the Duchess for continuing to ensure that the subject of addiction is not ignored, and that people are encouraged to speak out and seek support and treatment."
In February 2018, Duchess Kate officially opened Action on Addiction's new treatment centre in Wickford, Essex.
The Duchess also launched the charity's community-based recovery programme 'Clouds in the Community'. It is is a Self-Help Addiction Recovery Programme (SHARP) that provides an effective alternative to residential treatment, and enables the charity to provide services for more people in more places. 'Clouds in the Community' is the starting point for long-term recovery and abstinence, and leads to improvements in participants� physical and psychological health, self-efficacy, and overall quality of life. Independent evaluation of the programme in Essex showed that almost 80 per cent of clients did not return to any treatment service upon completion of the scheme.
During an impromptu speech, Kate looked back on the six years since she began supporting the charity and credited getting involved with Action on Addiction as "the start of my learning" which led to her work in mental health. She added: "You're very special to me."
When Kate's first patronages were announced in 2012, this was one that piqued my interest in particular. It's a difficult, challenging and stigmatised area. I don't think there are any of us who haven't been touched by addiction in some form, whether it's the heartbreak of watching a loved one struggling, or battling it personally. The work they do is absolutely vital and it's been a joy to watch the organisation grow over the years. If you would like to find out more about Action on Addiction or donate, please click here.
A reminder we'll see Kate, William, George and Charlotte on Saturday morning for Trooping The Colour :)
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