Reasons to partner with us
Since 1991, Forward's research-led expertise and commitment has helped to consolidate our status as one of the UKs leading social justice charities, with a particular focus on recovery from addiction and desistance from crime.
Through evidence-based interventions and programmes, we have helped thousands of individuals who felt they had reached 'rock bottom' to transform their lives. Our 'action-research' model means we continue to review our clinical and psychosocial interventions and programmes to ensure they adhere to best practice, that they remain ethical, and that we are improving our accessibility to reach even more individuals.
"I wouldn't be here without The Forward Trust" is a powerful statement that we often hear from by our services users.
Our support hubs work with individuals both in prison and in the community. – they These service users are often several years into active addiction for drugs and/or alcohol, long-term unemployed, homeless or sofa-surfing, and or have broken away from their families or lost their support networks. Many feel desperate and sometimes suicidal by the time Forward is working with them.
Yet recovery and lasting change is possible. Throughout the year, Forward holds many reunion and graduation events where heartfelt and emotional stories are shared. These events recognise not just the individuals in their journeys, but the teams across Forward and their local community that have helped make this a reality.
To ensure full compliancy with robust governance processes, The Forward Trust currently holds four accreditations – with certification to International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards that demonstrate we work to international or national best practice.
We are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide two types of regulated activity: accommodation for persons individuals who require treatment for substance abuse and treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
As a charity, we are also registered with the Fundraising Regulator which ensures that we adhere to a 'Code of Fundraising Practice', providing reassurance and credibility for our donor-led activities.
A number of our strategies, policies, and reports are hosted on our publications pages, including annual reports, business strategies, and policies. These important credentials have helped to instil confidence in our existing partnerships whilst also encouraging other commercial organisations, charities, and commissioners to work with us.
Registered charity number: 1001701 | Registered Company No. 2560474
Forward is led by a highly experienced and dedicated team of Executive Directors. Our Board of Trustees hold our leaders accountable for decision making and ongoing strategy, ensuring that we continue to evolve and algin with the ambitions set out in our organisational objectives.
Our CEO, Mike Trace, has led Forward for over 20 years and been a leading light for almost 40 years in the sector – both in the UK and internationally. Mike has become a prominent subject-expert in the field of developing national and international drug policy, having served for four years as the UK government's Deputy UK Anti-Drug Co-ordinator (Drug Czar) under Tony Blair. Mike continues to share his expertise to help shape and inform policy, including being interviewed as a subject expert by the media (BBC News and Channel 4 News). You can watch Mike's CEO vlogs to stay involved in this work, – and the publicity we generate to make change happen – whether that's in Westminster or in local communities.
In 2025, Forward appointed Tony Adams MBE as our Chair of Trustees, taking over from the Right Honourable David Bernstein after 10 years of dedicated service. Having been an ambassador for several years, Tony's appointment has played an important role in reaching new audiences – especially those previously unfamiliar with our work or the social justice sector.
Our Trustees play an enormous role in ensuring Forward continues to deliver on the principles we have set out in our mission. Their individual and collective expertise (in previous or existing professional roles) plays an important part in our strategic direction – including our campaigns.
The Forward Trust is an active campaigning organisation with purpose: to reduce stigma and raise awareness of support for addiction services (Taking Action on Addiction) and to tell important stories from lives touched by the criminal justice system (More Than My Past).
Using our evidence-based insights, the stories of our ambassadors and recovery community and are a part of the mainstream media coverage we regularly attract.
We're grateful to have the support and backing of many high-profile Patrons and Ambassadors, including HRH The Princess of Wales. These endorsements demonstrate the significance of our work and its relevance to the wider public and society.
Our most recent data reporting (2024/2025) showed that we achieved the following:
- 31,780 total clients supported through our wide range of support services.
- 8,413 of our clients (26% of all clients) participated in 'Develop' interventions – the cornerstone of our 'Theory of Change' rehabilitation and recovery model.
- Nearly 1,000 clients engaged in a Forward-led intensive drug and/or alcohol recovery programme, with a further 300 individuals referred to similar schemes run by other organisations.
- 4,500+ clients working with our Probation Support teams recorded a positive outcome following their engagement with structured support interventions.
- Nearly 200 people were housed in our Vision Housing and Recovery House private rented sector support properties, providing safe places for individuals that would otherwise likely be homeless or be placed in challenging living environments that might cause a relapse in their addiction or allow them to resume criminal activity.
- 400+ service users found jobs thanks to our Employment Support teams.
- At the end of 2024, we had over 5000 members in Forward Connect (our peer-led recovery community), with 10% of those attending one of our flagship reunion celebrations in London, East Knoyle (Wiltshire), or Hull.
You can find out more about our service developments in our latest Impact Report.