Meet The Team
At Harbour, our team is the beating heart of everything we do. From the first face you see at reception to the specialist teams supporting recovery, our staff, volunteers and partners work together to deliver person-centred, trauma-informed care for care for people who use drugs and alcohol
A Team Built on Care, Connection, and Expertise
Our mission is to deliver support to individuals affected by substance use, creating safe spaces for healing, recovery and connection to thrive.
We recognise that substance use is a global issue shaped by trauma, inequality, and systemic factors, and we work to challenge stigma and reduce harm as both an independent charity and in collaboration with partners.
OUR MISSION
Our Vision
We envision a world where people who use drugs and alcohol are treated with dignity, not shame; where stigma is replaced with understanding; and where everyone has access to the compassionate support they need to heal, thrive, and make empowered choices.
Within our organisation, we strive to build a strong, collaborative team that upholds these values in our work, our partnerships, and how we care for one another. We strive to build a culture where every staff member feels a sense of belonging, support, and shared purpose.
Our reception team are often the first people you’ll speak to when you contact Harbour – whether on the phone, in person, or by email.
What we do:
- Welcome everyone into our space with warmth and discretion
- Help you access services quickly and efficiently
- Answer questions or signpost you to relevant support
You can self-refer to Harbour by calling, emailing, or visiting us between 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday. We'll help you complete a short referral form and arrange a time to speak to a Duty Worker.
Reception Team
The Community Alcohol Team works with adults whose lives have been significantly affected by alcohol use.
We support people at various stages of change - from those beginning to reflect on their drinking to those actively working towards reducing or stopping altogether.
We offer a calm, respectful space for people to explore their relationship with alcohol, understand their patterns, and think about what change might look like for them. Our team builds supportive, non-judgemental relationships and works at a pace that suits each person.
We understand that alcohol use is often connected to stress, trauma, isolation, or other difficult experiences, so we take a whole-person approach - listening carefully, staying curious, and working alongside people to help them feel safe, motivated, and supported.
COMMUNITY ALCOHOL TEAM
The Community Drug Team supports adults whose day-to-day lives are affected by their drug use, whether they’re starting to think about change or actively looking to make changes in their substance use.
We work with people across a wide spectrum of need - from those managing long-term use to those experiencing new challenges - always taking the time to understand each person’s unique circumstances.
We know that drug use is often linked to past experiences, mental health, trauma, or housing instability, so we take a non-judgemental, person-centred approach that builds trust and stability over time.
Our work is about more than drug use - it’s about helping people regain control, reconnect with their values, and feel empowered to take next steps. Whether someone wants to reduce use, stabilise, or simply have a space to talk, we walk alongside them at their pace.
Community Drug Team
The Families Support Team works with parents who use drugs or alcohol and whose parenting is affected as a result.
We provide tailored support to help these parents address their substance use in ways that improve their ability to care for their children.
Working closely with social services and other agencies, we aim to strengthen family wellbeing and promote safer, healthier home environments.
Families Team
The Transitional Team supports young adults aged 18 to 25 whose lives have been affected by drug or alcohol use.
We understand that this age group often faces a unique set of challenges as they move into adulthood - including navigating independence, managing responsibilities, and engaging with services for the first time.
We work in a flexible, person-centred way, building trust and creating space for young adults to explore change at their own pace.
Our team values consistency, honesty, and non-judgement - focusing on building strong relationships to help people feel safe, heard, and respected.
Transitional Team (Ages 18–25)
The Rough Sleeper Drug & Alcohol Team, also known as the Homeless Intervention Team, offers consistent outreach to individuals who are rough sleeping or living in supported accommodation.
We focus on building trust through a person-centred approach that recognises individual experiences and priorities.
Our team is regularly present in settings like Shekinah, George House, and The Salvation Army, providing steady, compassionate contact that helps people move at their own pace toward assessment and engagement with wider services.
The Rough Sleeper Drug & Alcohol Team
The Criminal Justice Intervention Team (CJIT) provides tailored, intensive support for individuals affected by substance use who are involved with police custody, probation, courts, or prisons.
We work with those subject to Community Sentencing Treatment Requirements such as DRR, ATR, or MHTR. Our goal is to reduce harm, manage substance use, and lower the risk of reoffending.
Additionally, we support smooth transitions from prison back into the community to promote lasting recovery and reintegration.
The Criminal Justice Intervention Team (CJIT)
Our Management and Central Services Team provides the structure, oversight, and coordination that allows all parts of the service to run smoothly and effectively.
We support the day-to-day operations, ensuring that teams are well-resourced, staff are supported, and our systems are responsive to changing needs.
The team includes service and operational managers, administrative support, data and reporting specialists, and staff responsible for quality assurance, governance, training, and service development.
We work behind the scenes to keep services safe, consistent, and focused on the people who use them. We’re also the link between frontline delivery and wider partnerships - helping to shape strategy, drive innovation, and ensure the service continues to meet local needs in a compassionate, accountable, and evidence-informed way.
Management & Central Services Team
The Harm Reduction Team works with individuals who use substances to minimise the negative health, social, and legal impacts associated with drug and alcohol use.
We provide practical, non-judgmental support and education to reduce risks such as overdose, blood-borne viruses, and unsafe behaviours. Our team offers access to safer use supplies, advice on safer consumption practices, and facilitates referrals to treatment and recovery services when clients are ready.
We aim to empower individuals to make informed choices and improve their overall wellbeing, regardless of their readiness to stop using substances.
Harm Reduction Team
Our volunteers bring heart, skill and lived experience to Harbour. From group support to Front of House roles, their contribution makes a real difference.
What’s happening now:
- Our current volunteer team includes peer mentors, group support volunteers and qualified counsellors
- Some are placed with our partners, including Shekinah and the HIT Team
If you’d like to express interest in volunteering in the future, we’d love to hear from you.
Thank you to every volunteer for sharing your time, skills and experience with us.
Making a difference
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Julie leads Harbour with vision, heart, and lived experience. Her leadership is rooted in compassion and a deep understanding of trauma, addiction, and recovery. Julie champions a collaborative, inclusive culture across Harbour, ensuring we remain true to our values while growing our impact.
Our CEO
Julie Howes
