Opening soon – Darwen Hub 2026!
Come and join us at our new Darwen Hub, starting Thursday 7th May 2026. The project aims to support young people within Blackburn with Darwen, and will be open, warm and welcoming environment for all who attend.
Ketamine Conference
This week, THOMAS took part in the ‘Ket what?’ Ketamine conference held at Blackburn Rovers football stadium, Ewood Park. Elliot, Michael and Austin from our Promoting Recovery Engagement (PRE) team were joined by other organisations, parents, carers and families to discuss ketamine use in Lancashire, as well as its effects on individuals and the community. [...]
Anthony Meara – A THOMAS Success Story
“My name is Anthony Meara, from Manchester, and I’m 42.” Some may know him as ‘Turbo’ on YouTube, a nickname from his previous time spent on the streets of Manchester. Born in 1983, Anthony grew up in quite a large family in Greater Manchester. “I’ve got 2 brothers and 1 sister, and then there’s another [...]
Drop-in centre Xmas party
The end of 2025 saw another successful year for our THOMAS Drop-in Centre Christmas Party.🎄 For one joyous afternoon, our Drop-in Canteen was transformed into a mini Christmas haven, decorated by our amazing "elves". We welcomed over 81 people, who were all served with a hot Christmas dinner (including the signature home-made creamed [...]
End of 2025 Christmas letter
Christmas_Card_2025. pdf At THOMAS, we believe in the power of care and compassion. Every meal served, every life supported, and every new beginning is a reminder that hope can transform lives. We celebrate the difference we make together and the brighter tomorrows we help create. 288 referrals were made to our residential rehabilitation projects, with [...]
Ribchester group @ THOMAS
The THOMAS drop-in centre is run by the coordinator, Beverly Suddick, with a handful of staff members and a large cohort of volunteers; but on the first Monday of every month, the drop-in centre is blessed by the presence of a special group of volunteers. Known to us as the ‘Ribchester group’, the volunteers come [...]
Ketamine Support group – PRE
Promoting Recovery Engagement (PRE) The Promoting Recovery Engagement (PRE) team at THOMAS run a Ketamine support group every Monday 2-3pm at St Johns Court, Blackburn; also home to Sparks – a substance misuse service funded by Blackburn with Darwen Borough council. Elliot Weston – the PRE lead – orchestrates the meeting, supported by 2 [...]
Christmas preparations at THOMAS
Christmas is fast approaching, and THOMAS has taken preparations to a new level. THOMAS staff and volunteers worked cohesively to put up their Christmas tree, adorned by baubles, tinsel, beads and the likes. In the Drop-in canteen, there will be 2 Christmas trees, so everyone coming through those doors can witness the beauty of the [...]
Working in a Therapeutic Community
James McCartney (Chief Executive of THOMAS) Director of Dynamic Intelligence Programmes Working in a therapeutic community involves working with structure, culture, and agency with the mediation of reflection. Culture requires us to be its custodians. In other words, we are the ones who protect its dynamic. Why does it need protecting? Because it [...]
Change is Possible for Everyone
James McCartney Chief Executive The THOMAS dynamic is a psychosocial environment, combining, social learning, cognition and the 12 step programme. In the words of Albert Einstein, “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” Inextricably intertwined with the recovery process is building a social environment of positive connections with others that can ignite an [...]