Anyone who works in a private rehab facility will tell you that the most important factor in a successful centre is the staff. It is probably true of most businesses, but particularly true when talking about addiction treatment. As part of your treatment programme, we ask all residents to complete an evaluation of their experience here. in 2021 96% of residents rated our team as excellent (5/5).

At The Providence Projects, we really are fortunate to have some of the leading therapists in the UK who are not only highly skilled and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about what we do. This is not a job to us; you only have to come and spend a day here to see that we do this work because we care. We know we have the potential to transform lives and put families back together.

Paul Spanjar

CEO

I can honestly say that heading up this incredible organisation is an honour and a privilege. I have worked in the field of addiction for nearly 20 years and the team of people who work at The Providence Projects, are, in my opinion, the best team I have ever seen.

Learn more about Paul

Counselling Team

Daryle Fortescue

Daryle Fortescue

Registered Manager

Daryle has been worked in the field of addiction treatment for 20+ years after joining The Providence Projects from another residential rehab centre. Daryle is passionate about individual treatment planning as opposed to a one size fits all approach and is keen to ensure that treatment delivery at The Providence Projects continues to evolve with latest evidence based practices. Daryle loves facilitating group therapy sessions and helped to design the aftercare programme at The Providence Projects.

Steve Spiegel

Steve Spiegel

Counsellor

Steve, our founder, started The Providence Projects in 1996. He officially retired in 2013 but we can’t keep him away! Steve’s passion for helping people in recovery is unparalleled and you will still regularly see him around the centre. Steve still facilitates group therapy sessions, workshops, assignments and delivers his famous relationship workshops.

Clinton McIntosh

Clinton McIntosh

Counsellor

Clinton started with us in our project in Weymouth many years ago and moved to our Bournemouth facility in 2008. Clinton also has an advanced diploma in Counselling and is accredited with BACP. He is passionate about recovery and has an incredibly fun and infectious spirit. He has a great ability to help people develop a positive outlook and self-belief. Clinton is also a fully qualified auricular acupuncturist.

Nicole Rakestraw

Nicole Rakestraw

Counsellor

Nicole has a degree in addictions counselling and is an accredited Drug and Alcohol Professional with FDAP. Nicole is a superb counsellor who has the ability to nurture our clients through the early stages of their recovery and manages to find that balance of kindness and challenge to ensure a balanced treatment approach. Nicole is passionate that every addict / alcoholic deserves a chance at recovery.

Tara Nolen

Tara Nolen

Counsellor

Tara has an Advanced Diploma in counselling and is a member of the BACP. Tara is also trained in both Mindfulness and meditation. The combination of her counselling skills along with mindfulness and meditation really helps clients to be in the moment and explore their feelings. Tara strongly believes in everyone’s ability to change and her infectious positivity ripples throughout the centre. She is passionate about supporting our clients to believe in their innate goodness and kindness. Tara has always had love for The Providence Projects, has many years of successful recovery and values how all clients are treated with dignity and respect.

Dean Lyons

Dean Lyons

Counselling Team

Dean was a client at the Provy in 2014, where he turned his life around and was inspired to want to help other people afflicted with addiction issues. After working in community and residential addiction services he made the decision to come to work on the counselling team at the Providence Projects in 2020. His passion and commitment to helping people, and his caring and warm nature make him an asset to the team and of great benefit to the clients he will work with.

Beth Wignall

Beth Wignall

Counselling Team

Beth has a beautifully kind and gentle nature and has the fantastic ability to help people in treatment express themselves. With a background and a degree in acting, as well as a passion for Creative Writing, Beth also delivers a range of workshops enabling clients to express their feelings. Beth is currently completing her Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and gaining full accreditation with BACP.

Nigel Streeter

Nigel Streeter

Counselling Team

Nigel joined The Providence Projects counselling team in 2021 after working in the local community for drug and alcohol services. Nigel loved the community work but his real passion is seeing people get clean and sober. As well as his studies in counselling, Nigel is also an Advanced Practitioner in Substance Abuse. Nigel is passionate in helping clients address their addiction and is devoted in helping clients find their journey in recovery from addiction.

Helene Stratton

Helene Stratton

Counselling Team

Having worked in the field for over 15 years, Helen is both experienced and skilled in helping people recover from all types of alcoholism and addiction. Helene has both an Advanced Diploma in Counselling and is currently working towards a specialist degree in Addiction at Bath University. Helene’s mantra is, “Given the right environment, anyone can achieve their goals.”

Lindy Jones

Lindy Jones

Counselling Team

Lindy has been working in addiction services for the last 13 years supporting adults, young people, children, and families. Lindy joined the Counselling Team at The Providence Project in 2022 and is passionate about recovery. Lindy believes finding the perfect balance between mind and body, opens doors to a healthier and more joyful life. Rest assured sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Lindy has almost completed her level 4 diploma in Counselling and will gain accreditation with the BACP.

Connell Green

Connell Green

Counselling Team

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Connell has now settled in the UK. He started working with people in alcohol and drug recovery back in 2016. His experience in a residential recovery home and a desire to help led him to a master's degree in counselling, which he is set to complete in 2023. He is currently writing his master's thesis on video game addiction. With a background in creative writing, Connell has a passion for using writing and storytelling as part of the therapeutic process. He is also interested in wilderness therapy and the therapeutic benefits of spending time in nature. He feels strongly that in order to facilitate meaningful, long term recovery, it is essential to address the underlying factors contributing to addiction.

Operations Team

Louise Spanjar

Louise Spanjar

Finance Director

Having joined the organisation in 2000, Lou is the longest serving member of staff! She manages all finance operations at The Providence Projects and runs a tight ship! Fortunately for us, Lou strongly values continuing investment in the organisation, meaning that the staff team continue to keep up with the latest training, accommodation standards are kept high and The Providence Projects remain leaders in the field.

Jon Radcliffe

Jon Radcliffe

Admissions Manager

Jon is the admissions manager and oversees the process from your first contact through to the day you start treatment. He joined us at The Providence Projects in 2008 and is able to take you through the entire admission process. He will explain how the treatment works, help you arrange transport into rehab, liaise with the family and be your point of reference right through to the day you start treatment. It would be fair to say that Jon is the gatekeeper!

Lisa Taylor

Lisa Taylor

Administrator

Lisa has about fourteen jobs at The Providence Projects. As well as assisting Jon with the pre-admissions, Lisa’s main role is administrative supporting all staff teams including counselling teams, support teams and accounts teams. She has the superb ability to remain calm while multitasking!

Support Team

Anita Rowe

Anita Rowe

Support Team

Normally the first person you will see on arrival, Anita oversees reception duties. Whenever you walk through reception, you will always see at least one of the residents talking to Anita. She has that natural personality that means people want to tell her their problems! Between groups, residents love chatting with her. Anita is also the voice at the end of the phone for families calling in.

Cherril Moore

Cherril Moore

Support Team

Cherril has been with us since 2004 and is now part of The Providence Furniture! An absolute natural carer, nothing is too much trouble for Cherril who is always prepared to go that extra mile to ensure your stay is comfortable.

Carl Jones

Carl Jones

Support Team

Carl is Mr Dependable. He has been at The Project for many years and is a model of professionalism and consistency. He is passionate about recovery and supports clients with all non-therapeutic needs. Working at Providence is far more than a job for Carl.

Les Richardson

Les Richardson

Support Team

Les began volunteering at The Providence Projects in 2013 and went on to become a full time employee in 2016. He is full of enthusiasm and kindness, and is passionate about 12 step recovery. Les is an excellent support worker, always ensuring that clients receive the support they need

Chris Gregory

Chris Gregory

Support Team

Chris is the newest addition to the support team, having been a client himself at the Providence Projects in 2013. He always has a smile on his face and his passion for recovery and helping others means he is loved by clients and staff alike!

Angel Clarke

Angel Clarke

Support Team

Proud to be a part of an amazing team here at The Provy and have the opportunity to grow by working with my team and the clients. Excellent communication skills and a natural carer, Angel is made for this job! Our clients will tell you that Angel has a great balance of being tough but fair!

Therapists

Suzy Curtis

Suzy Curtis

Therapist

You know when Suzy has put you through your paces. Suzy runs our fitness classes and specialises in boxercise which is a combination of Boxing and Aerobics. These classes are very popular due to Suzy’s fun and energetic spirit. Suzy, who is a highly respected personal trainer was in treatment at The Providence Projects 20 years ago!

Night Staff

Les Fryer

Les Fryer

Night Support Worker

Les is now approaching 25 years in personal recovery himself and has worked in treatment centres all around the world. He worked with us at The Providence Projects over 15 years ago and has come full circle, re-joining us in 2018 after setting up an addiction treatment centre in Thailand. He still loves to travel but has an incredible passion for helping people in early recovery. Although he has worked in a variety of settings, Les eventually realised that The Providence Projects is the best treatment centre in the world!

Victoria Sim

Victoria Sim

Night Support Worker

Victoria joined in 2021 after qualifying as a substance misuse practitioner. As a people person, she enjoys getting to know people and supporting others through detox and through their first steps of recovery. When not working she is studying for a degree in social work.

Shelley Mitchell

Shelley Mitchell

Night Support Worker

I came to the provy in 2016 and relocated. After leaving I realised that I wanted to help people and volunteered at the provy for 18 months. I went out to work as a support worker in a homeless hostel and gained my level 2 in health and social care and qualified as a substance misuse practitioner in 2020. I am very excited to be back at the provy as it was instrumental in my personal recovery and look forward to supporting people at the beginning of theirs.


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