Catalyst, The Alcohol, Drug And Mental Health Issues Charity, Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

Published on: 14 Apr, 2019
Updated on: 14 Apr, 2019

Catalyst, that works to improve the wellbeing of people with alcohol, drug and mental health issues, has celebrated its 30th anniversary as a Surrey charity.

Libby Grant, current Catalyst trustee, and Frank McCormack, past chairman of trustees cut a cake to mark the charity’s 30th anniversary.

In an evening of fascinating history, personal stories and cake; past and present staff, clients, volunteers, counsellors and trustees had the opportunity to catch up, revive old friendships, hear about the unique work the organisation delivers for adults and look to the future.

Chief executive officer Sue Murphy spoke about the challenges of being a voluntary sector organisation working in partnership and that “there needs to be a recognition that the voluntary, community and faith sector are seen as equal and professional” with statutory partners.

As part of the Catalyst drive to identify and break down barriers to co-operation, it announced that is is the first ever charity in Surrey to host a Darzi Fellow to research the challenge and find solutions – a prestigious appointment!

Catlayst’s chief officer Sue Murphy (centre) with long-standing counselling volunteers Judy Millar and Jackie Morey, who were thanked for their work for the charity.

Links with the past and the future were made by Mike Ward, the first chief executive officer of what was then SAdAS, who was justly proud of the organisation’s focus on the most vulnerable and socially excluded groups who are often not supported elsewhere.

The evening also saw the launch of the new Haydn Morris Award, to offer small amounts of funding to people to enable them to re-engage back in the community – training course registration fees, travel to a job interview – anything to help make that difference.

A moving story by a member of staff of his journey from first engaging with Catalyst’s services to being a full-time employee with the Welcome Project ended the evening, that was held at the Burford Bridge Hotel, Dorking, on Monday, April 1, on a positive note.

Catalyst celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Burford Bridge Hotel in Dorking. Its head office is in Jenner Road, Guildford.

Catalyst’s aims for the future is to work in partnership and to look to innovative ways of helping people change. To find out more go to its website, www.catalystsupport.org.uk.

Follow on Twitter @CATALYSTethos . Donate at https://www.catalystsupport.org.uk/donate/