Working with its local clinical partner, Hanham Health, DHI enables people to undertake a community alcohol detox in supported housing. This gives people who lack safe accommodation or support at home the opportunity to detox in a stable, supportive environment.
The approach is also significantly more cost-effective than inpatient detox. A two-week detox at Hawthorn costs £420 per person, compared with approximately £6,130 at a nearby private facility and £5,928 in a hospital setting - savings of up to £5,700 per person.
Rosie Phillips, DHI’s Chief Executive, said: “Being a local charity, working closely with a local GP service as our clinical partner, helps us develop practical responses to the needs we see in our community. At Hawthorn House, we’ve brought supported housing and community alcohol detox together, giving people a safe place to begin recovery and support to build on it.”
Hannah Cooke, Substance Misuse Nurse Specialist at Hanham Health, said: “We’re seeing a rise in referrals from people who don’t have the support or safe housing needed to undertake a community detox. People who may not otherwise have considered detoxing from alcohol can do so safely here in a more relaxed environment.”
During the visit, which took place as part of the National Housing Federation’s Supported Housing Week, the MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke heard from resident Kern, who described how DHI’s support had transformed his life following a period of homelessness.
“I’ve been at Hawthorn since December 2025,” said Kern. “This time last year I was living in my van with ice on the windows. I was drinking too much, but it was a vicious cycle. Because I didn’t have an address, I couldn’t register with a GP or open a bank account. When you’re homeless, the system doesn’t allow you to get help.”
Now alcohol-free, Kern is a valued member of the house community. He helps with DIY projects, has repaired the fishpond and supports new residents as they settle in. He is also embarking on Peer Mentoring training with DHI, using his lived experience to help others.
Lived experience leadership
DHI Peer Mentor Scott told the MP how he visits the house every week to support people at the start of their recovery. “I’ve been there myself, which clients find reassuring,” he said.
Rosie added: “Lived experience is a key part of how we support people. Our Peer Academy turns people’s difficult experiences into something positive that can help others.”
Peer Supporters can go on to gain an accredited Level 2 qualification in Peer Mentoring, helping them build confidence and progress into employment or volunteering roles.
Claire said: “I'm grateful to the team and resident Kern for inviting me to visit Hawthorn House during the first-ever Supported Housing Week.
“It was incredibly valuable to see the work the team at DHI has done over the past year since Hawthorn House opened to support local people at different stages of recovery.
“The lived experience of residents who become Peer Mentors is irreplaceable, and it's clear the impact Scott already has, and undoubtedly Kern will have, in supporting others in our community.
“Supported housing of all kinds has a real impact for many local people, and this Supported Housing Week I'd like to thank everyone involved in providing this invaluable support.”
The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss emerging local needs, including the rise in ketamine use.
“The drug is cheap and we’re seeing people buying large quantities of it, which can quickly cause serious physical harm,” said Hannah.
“That’s why DHI’s South Gloucestershire Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service launched a specialist ketamine pathway this year,” said Rosie. “It demonstrates how local charities can identify and respond quickly to emerging local need.”
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