Rehabilitation centre’s ‘therapeutic’ environment will change lives, staff say

Staff at the first residential rehabilitation centre in the north east of Scotland say the “magic” taking place in its “therapeutic environment” will change lives for the better.

The Rae House facility was formally opened by the First Minister on Wednesday.

Set amidst rural Aberdeenshire landscape, it is run by the Phoenix Futures charity and will provide 27 beds for people recovering from drug and alcohol addictions.

Increasing the number of residential rehabilitation beds has been a key part of plans to tackle Scotland’s drugs deaths rate, which is the worst in Europe.

Rae House runs a six-month programme and is already half full, with residents being referred by local services or self-referring.

Stephen Kennedy is the residential manager at Rae House and has 20 years’ experience of working in rehabilitation.

Speaking to journalists, he said: “It’s therapeutic, the environment, the grounds, the building, are stunning.

“But sometimes buildings don’t get people’s lives back together, it’s the magic that happens inside them.”

He said Phoenix Futures uses a peer-led method in its recovery programme and it has already proved popular.

Those taking part in the abstinence-based programme can do activities such as tree-planting and nature conservation while at the facility.

Mr Kennedy said that providing an environment away from drugs and alcohol is key to recovery.

He said: “You go to the corner shop for a roll – alcohol is everywhere.

“The temptation is massive to relapse or lapse when you’re in the community.

“When you come here, it’s a safe environment and you learn different coping strategies, different triggers.”

Justin Taylor has been helping to set up Rae House, having completed a Phoenix Futures programme at another facility in Scotland last year.

Speaking to journalists, he said he had long struggled with alcohol problems earlier in his life but the programme had helped him find structure.

He said: “It’s the chance of a lifetime for people to come and experience this.

“We’ve had people come up from the Glasgow service who are still residents there and they love it.

“It’s a beautiful place, beautiful environment, to be coming to.”