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  1. About us
  2. Our story

A History of Build on Belief

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!'

How did a couple of heroin addicts, still in structured treatment after decades of addiction, come to design, implement and run the first open-access peer led weekend service in London, and perhaps anywhere in the country?

How on earth did they talk their friends into helping them do it?

Why did the local Commissioner agreed to fund it, and what on earth persuaded the local treatment service to hand over the keys and alarm codes to their premises?

How did £200 and badly played game of badminton become one of the largest peer-led organisations in the country? It's a tale of audacity, commitment, stubborn determination and blind luck. And all, as the late, great Joe Cocker sang, 'With a Little Help From Our Friends.'

A personal tale . . . . .

Over the years, a great many people have expressed an interest in how we came up with our unique form of interactive aftercare in the first place, and how that led to the eventual creation of Build on Belief as a registered charity. Rather than tell you this in a stiff, formal and self congratulatory manner, we have decided to do something else.

The story of Build on Belief has been written as a series of personal tales by the Chief Executive, who after all, like Gandalf, was there from the beginning. They include occasional reflections of a personal recovery journey, the sometimes experimental nature of our way of working, and the recollection of what would turn out to be pivotal moments in our collective journey. 

The decision to write our story in this manner has been taken for two reasons. Firstly, our own volunteers and staff have been enthusiastic about reading a history of the organisation written in a manner they can relate to personally. They liked the fact that it 'felt human.'

We also hope that the following pages might in their own small way, inspire other service user groups and organisations around the country to take their own steps to a future where peer-led projects, after hours services and visible recovery become available to all.

By the way, the Chief Executive apologies for the occasional swear word that crops up here and there, but felt it was important the the story remains as 'real' as possible.

One last thing. 

This is a story with a cast of many characters, all of them real and most of them still alive. It is important to recognize that what you are about to read is not some grand truth set immutably in stone for posterity, but simply my perspective, with all the flaws and human prejudices that such a telling invariably reveals. There are many who might disagree with my way of seeing things, or my version of events, and they are perfectly within their rights to do so.

Keep coming back . . . . 

If you are interested in the unfolding tale of our slow-burn creation, why not check these pages every month or so? New chapters will be added regularly. 



Bruce Springsteen changes the World!

Bruce Springsteen changes the World!

Everything you see or read on this website was the result of a single question asked in 2004 and a remarkable coincidence. Curious? Read on . . . . Read more

Published: 5th April, 2018

Updated: 25th October, 2018

Author: Tim Sampey

How did it all begin?

How did it all begin?

What was the impetus behind the eventual creation of our first weekend service and why did we begin with Badminton? Read more

Published: 4th April, 2018

Updated: 15th May, 2018

Author: Tim Sampey

The Third Man

The Third Man

A mutual aid meeting and the mysterious appearance of the third man in our tale . . . . Read more

Published: 3rd April, 2018

Updated: 4th May, 2018

Author: Tim Sampey

Remember Drug and Alcohol Action Teams?

Remember Drug and Alcohol Action Teams?

Do you remember the days of DAAT's? We do, and our first encounter with them . . . . Read more

Published: 2nd April, 2018

Updated: 18th November, 2021

Author: Tim Sampey

Coming out to play

Coming out to play

We meet our peers in the wider service user involvement world, and attend our first London-wide service user meeting . . . . Read more

Published: 1st April, 2018

Updated: 23rd June, 2020

Author: Tim Sampey

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Showing 10 of 5

Latest

  • Harrow - Northwick Park Hospital

    Harrow - Northwick Park Hospital

    Meet our Mental Health Support Workers!

  • Become a trustee for BoB!

    Become a trustee for BoB!

    Help people with drug or alcohol problems reshape their lives.

  • Memorial Service for our trustee and dear friend Chris

    Memorial Service for our trustee and dear friend Chris

    We were enriched by his presence, will be diminished by his loss, and will miss him greatly.

  • Thank you, Annette!

    Thank you, Annette!

    Annette has been with us from the very beginning and has been hugely supportive over the past decade. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Most read

  • Will my kids be taken away?

    We know that the fear of losing your children often prevents people, especially women from seeking help. This is what we learned from talking to the Care Management Team . . . . .

  • BoB's Online Programme

    BoB's support service goes digital!

  • Job Vacancies

    Looking for a new opportunity?

  • Kensington and Chelsea: Acorn Hall Weekend Service

    Kensington and Chelsea: Acorn Hall Weekend Service

    The original Weekend Service now in it's thirteenth year!

  • What is a recovery worker?

    You may have wondered what a Recovery Worker is. Read about how your recovery worker can help you in dealing with problematic substance use.

  • Newham

    Newham

    A vibrant weekend service and the garden of BoB!

  • Harrow

    Harrow

    A quiet and gentle weekend project with a real family atmosphere and plenty of music!

  • Ealing

    Ealing

    The busiest of the social clubs, there's never a dull moment in Ealing!

  • CLERO

    CLERO

    Learn more about the 'College of Lived Experience Recovery Organisations' (CLERO)

  • About volunteering

    About volunteering

    Why are we a volunteer driven charity?

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Build on Belief is a registered charity in England and Wales (1148916) and a Private Limited Company (8041887)

Registered Office: 69 Warwick Road, Earls Court, London SW5 9HB
Phone: Tim 07739 796054 or Ani 07597 046433 | Email: [email protected]