A VITAL rehabilitation which supports people with drug and alcohol addictions is planning to enhance its services thanks to “major” new investment.

Sanctuary Lodge, in Hedingham Road, Halstead, is owned by parent company, The UKAT Group, however it has now been acquired by private equity firm, Sullivan Street Partners, The Gazette can exclusively reveal.

According a spokesman for UKAT, this comes at the “same time the government has finally inflated drug and alcohol treatment budgets”.

Last year, the Department of Health and Social Care granted Essex County Council a budget of £1,758,755 towards their 2023/24 drug strategy spend. 

Rehab - Sanctuary Lodge signageRehab - Sanctuary Lodge signage (Image: Sanctuary Lodge) According to analysis by the UKAT Group, Essex County Council now has a staggering 64% more money to spend on drug and alcohol treatment services in their area, as their 2024/25 budget now stands at £2,886,357.

For the first time since 2012, councils like Essex County Council have a protected budget allocated for inpatient detoxification only- a service that the UKAT Group provides as standard. 

The UKAT Group runs eight residential treatment facilities including Sanctuary Lodge and this takeover will allow its operation to expand and support more drug and alcohol addicts.

Plans are still being discussed internally but Sanctuary Lodge’s short-term focus will be a potential redecoration of the building, employing more therapists and support workers, and continuing to strengthen its relationship with local services.

Building - a space inside the centreBuilding - a space inside the centre (Image: Sanctuary Lodge)

Daniel Gerrard, Managing Director at the UKAT Group which operates Sanctuary Lodge said: “We’re thrilled to welcome new ownership under Sullivan Street Partners.

“We have a positive history with the team, and they know the industry, our business and most importantly, our desire and drive to help as many people suffering with addiction as possible.

“They’ll undoubtedly be able to help us achieve our mission.”

Sanctuary Lodge clients typically are admitted into the centre for a 28 day period which involved a seven day detox, and residential therapy programme.

The UKAT Group says its sobriety rate for clients stands at 95 per cent one year after leaving treatment.

Earlier this year, the group published statistics on its sobriety data. 

Layton Tamberlin, Managing Partner, Sullivan Street Partners, said: “The addiction treatment market is chronically unserved, and we are delighted to have acquired a leading pioneer.

“We look forward to supporting Daniel and the team at Sanctuary Lodge as they grow the business and expand its facility footprint and service offering."

“The UKAT Group’s ethos and standard of care towards their clients is second to none, and we are proud to be able to help them to continue freeing people from the grips of addiction.”

To find out more about Sanctuary Lodge, visit sanctuarylodge.com.