Gloucester House provides 12-step residential rehab for male clients from both statutory and private referrals. An historic 19th century townhouse in the market town of Highworth in Wiltshire, it has rooms on site for 13 clients and a local move-on house for three to four clients.
Managed by The Salvation Army, Gloucester House has been providing treatment for addiction for more than 50 years. Originally founded by a Salvation Army officer, who had been an alcoholic himself when he was in the Merchant Navy, it was a dry house that provided help and a home for men of the road with alcoholic problems.
As its Mission states:
At Gloucester House we are passionate about igniting the unique potential of every individual. We aim to inspire clients to embrace ongoing change, to build a new life free from addiction. We do this by
providing a safe, supported environment, which is inclusive, structured and fair. We offer an holistic programme which addresses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of each individual. We have a professional, qualified and trained team, with good boundaries and good ethical practice.
The GH step journey is a bespoke programme…
A core principle of the centre is building community and promoting independence. Strength is derived from relationships that re-enforce unity, a sense of belonging and peer support. Clients are motivated to develop resilience, resources and life skills through our holistic programme.
Clients come from agencies all over the country, from diverse backgrounds, faiths and cultures. The programme is spiritual but not religious, and all views are respected. Alongside the 12-step programme, an integral part of the holistic treatment is provided by occupational therapy, through craft workshops, gardening projects and other practical skills – alongside classroom-based learning in IT and basic maths and English, for those who need it. This essential part of the process allows clients to build self-esteem and improve their personal and social capital.
Following their initial treatment, clients are supported through Stage 2, which provides opportunities to consolidate their recovery in the wider community. 
This is achieved via voluntary work placements or training courses and allows clients to demonstrate greater responsibility and independence.
All clients leaving Gloucester House are offered resettlement, if not returning to their own home. This would be in one of several, abstinence-based, supported move-on houses that we work with, or locally in our third-stage accommodation.
Former residents that are resettled locally can return for aftercare support groups, and are encouraged to offer peer support to new clients.
Gloucester House is a beautiful, tranquil place where clients do experience life-changing transformation, by embracing recovery and finding freedom from addiction.