History

Steve Spiegel I originally met Dr Peter Turnbull in May 1996 through a series of ‘coincidences’ and discovered we were like-minded in our ideas with regard to successful high quality treatment delivery. I had been researching various treatment modalities both in the UK and in the USA and was looking to put together a revoluntionary cost effective alternative to the higher costing residential centres that were currently delivering. Peter was in agreement and together we formulated a treatment modality which, since our launch in 1991, many other organisations around the world have tried to emulate.

The concept we put together was for the Providence Project, or ‘The Provy’ as it is affectionately known, to offer best quality detoxification and intensive treatment at a low cost within a community setting. The providence modality would allow and encourage patients to take responsibility for their treatment and their actions while working within a highly supported structure. Superb, safe, supported accommodation was paramount as was the introduction of a high quality programme delivered by staff, all of whom were experts in their field. Dr Turnbull and his medical team would oversee the prescribing of medication to allow detoxification and also the general health needs of the patients and I would construct and deliver the programme of recovery. At the time, education was the ‘buzz’ word. Within ‘The Provy’ the buzz word was and still is ‘inspiration’.

On the 12th September 1996 The Providence Projects became the first treatment centre of its type. A GP lead, non profit making organisation, abstinent based, offering residential day care treatment to those suffering from dependence upon alcohol and all other drugs. The Project opened in two rooms above the surgery and catered for nine clients. It was full from its first day, as our philosophy was never to have an empty bed. The demand for treatment at The Provy was overwhelming. More and more people wanted to try this new type of treatment. So much so, new premises were located in Christchurch Road, Bournemouth which meant that the intake would increase to 20 individuals at a time and expert staff were hired in order to facilitate the new demand.

Since that time ‘The Provy’ has grown from strength to strength. The yearly reunions now accommodate over three hundred people and ‘The Provy’ treats sixty patients at a time. Primary, secondary and aftercare each cater for twenty people. The project has always run at maximum capacity and clients access our service from all over the world.

It would be easy to expand but we don’t want to lose our personal touch and we feel if we grew too large our quality of service would suffer. We are not empire builders and we don’t want to lose sight of our mission.

The Providence Projects have recently purchased two high-tech treatment centres, which are terrific buildings. The atmosphere in each is superb and conducive to the delivery of best practice. We recently helped on a consultancy basis with the setting up of the first NHS funded twelve step residential treatment centre in Edinburgh and have also helped a charity in Glasgow set up practice, as well as other centres around the country.

Come and have a look and see for yourself.

Why have we been so successful in treating addicts, alcoholics and the eating disordered? It’s just PROVIDENCE!!!!!!!

Steve Spiegel

Co-founder
DIP (Counselling). NCAC FDAP Accredited Drug and Alcohol Counsellor

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