About Us
Founded in 2022, STAR Housing is a Not For Profit by people who have hands on experience of drug and alcohol recovery.
Who We Are
Our team of experienced and licensed professionals have worked together to create a safe space where our clients can recover, with free treatment for those who are eligible.
With years of experience in addiction recovery, we were unable to find a place where people can recover and get access to an evidence based program of treatment in an affordable way.
We created STAR Housing to do just that.
Meet Our Amazing Team
CEOs & Founders
I have lived experience of recovery from addiction , accessing treatment and supported living services. I believe the secret to living is giving . By creating a service that provides a safe & supporting environment to empower our clients , our mission is half way there , the only thing that is left is honesty , willingness and action from them .
Everything we ask of clients I have done myself therefore I know it works . Everything I have experienced on my own journey has been put into play. Also the areas we felt needed more support we have ensured we provide .
I have a history of being a support worker in forensic background, supporting individuals with mental health & often drug & alcohol addiction can be part of this. During my time I completed the care certificate , this provided me to have good knowledge and behaviours to ensure high level standards and safety are met. I have a good understanding of safeguarding, GDPR and the code of conduct.
With 9 years' experience of working in the field of mental health and addiction, I have extensive experience of mental health, homelessness, and addiction. I am thankful to say I had great training and gained Health & Social Care qualifications in leadership to diploma level at a forensic unit for adults with mental health & learning difficulties.
For the last two years I have been working in the addiction and homelessness field, working with a trauma informed approach to support individuals achieve their recovery goals, having a person-centred approach, putting the individual at the centre of their recovery journey. In this role I was rewarded with employee of the year for going above and beyond in my responsibilities. I have always given 100% and been described as a forward thinker, recovery focused, positive and passionate.
I believe having lived experience of addiction and supported living accommodation alongside working in the field gives me an insight on how to create positive outcomes for our clients. This begins with passion and perseverance with good leadership, a hand pick team of dedicated workers committed to providing a safe home environment, structure, and support. I am excited and privileged to be able to bring my expertise to STAR Housing
Trustees
I am an experienced corporate professional with lived experience of addiction recovery in the UK and Australia and am honoured to have worked with Zena and Chloe from inception, through to founding STAR Housing and transitioning into an operational Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Using the skills acquired through a decade of Professional Services consulting experience to give back to the recovery community in Bristol was an ambition of mine ever since I first checked in to a residential rehab in 2018, so when Zena and Chloe approached me to begin making STAR Housing a reality I jumped at the chance.
Not only is STAR Housing’s vision one which we have put a lot of ourselves into, it represents a chance to do something differently and to put our clients’ recoveries first and foremost in a way which I do not feel has been seen before in our industry.
Working with Zena, Chloe and the board has been a real inspiration to me in my own recovery and as Chairman of our board I remain excited and motivated to take STAR Housing from strength to strength in the coming years.
Currently supporting development of one of the worlds most iconic and well established residential treatment providers, and working in private practice as an addictions/trauma therapist and consultant.
With a background and passion for therapeutic work, I had the privilege of leading a team of therapists in the same service, to provide high quality, evidence based treatment for those suffering the effects of addiction.
Early in my career I took a special interest in working with the effects of psychological trauma, which seemed to interplay with the regulatory symptom presenting in addictive behaviour. I also trained as an eating disorder practitioner, which gave me a specialism and development in this area over the past 8 years.
Within the past 14 years, I have worked with many profile of client from high profile celebrities, psychiatrists, musicians, veterans, doctors, street homeless, sex workers, and others; with the point being made of a diverse skill set with immense adaptability. I have trained professionals, counsellors and other services on the topics above.
I’m passionate about all areas of diversity, equality equity & inclusion. The cumulative effect of my cultural background and lived experience, drives me to ensure systemic change happens.
Coordinator with a demonstrated history of working in adult health and wellbeing, drugs and alcohol, homelessness and key areas of social disparity.
Experience in Talent Management, Peer Support and coaching, Having worked in collaboration with many different trauma based professionals, and produced a series of art based therapeutic workshops with the aim of bringing people to live fuller lives, whilst connecting with their communities, gaining healthier coping strategies to do so.
Working with a person-centred approach, I am passionate and dedicated to empowering the people I work alongside, believing in the importance of bringing them to their own autonomy.
I have a track record of developing the work and impact of charities and able to translate strategic vision into practical application.
I am able to confidently communicate with individuals and organisations at all levels, including with Ministers and other representatives in Government. I have represented organisations at a wide range of events, meetings and public speaking opportunities. I also have significant experience in working with the media, , and event production.
I am passionate about what I do, and am dedicated to achieving changes in policies and practices that disadvantage socially-excluded groups, ensuring that people with lived experience are at the heart of improving service delivery and policy reform.
My aim is to achieve positive and long-lasting social change, with a particular focus on the issues that socially excluded groups face, and the ways in which these issues can be addressed through service delivery and policy, through innovation, action and persuasion.
With lived experience of recovery, including Rehab and 12 Step Fellowships, since 2020 I am delighted to be able to support and give back by being a Trustee for STAR Housing.
My skills and expertise are in IT, where I have nearly 30 years experience. My roles over the years have ranged from a programmer, to project manager, and across many different industries.
I currently have a small business in lead generation and website builds, as well as being a Director of an Insurance startup.
My hope is that my experience and knowledge of IT can help STAR Housing in a positive and progressive way and help provide the best support to the team and the residents.
I am a Chartered Accountant & Chartered Tax Adviser.
I have audit experience in the charity sector & was invited to be a trustee to give an objective & balanced view towards the financial management of the charity.
I do not have any lived experience of addiction, but I have a close family member who has suffered from addiction. Not all addicts have the benefit of families who will spend thousands of pounds on rehab & often sadly fall through the gap.
Star Housing seeks to bridge this gap not only offering supported housing but an excellent therapeutic program. Chloe & Zenia have designed a wonderful program for residents and has a wonderful success rate of abstinence.
But even more than that - the program helps to re-integrate addicts into society to be productive contributors just as they have become.
I am proud to be part of this life saving charity.
Staff / Volunteers
I am excited to join the team at STAR Housing, as I feel passionate about people and communication. I have lived experience of the heartbreak families go through when their loved one is in active addiction. It has given me a deep understanding and knowledge of the complexities around this, the challenges people face and the ripple effect on individuals who love and care for them.
My background is varied, working as a Sales & Marketing Manager for an Engineering Company to 7 years Voluntary work at a Local Citizens Advice. I have also trained as a Mentor/Coach Volunteering with Bristol Probation Service and trained in paid employment as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Specialising in Housing. I am currently in the process of a part-time Master’s Degree in Business, Leadership and Sustainability following a life-long passion for Business. I believe we have all got the capability to achieve whatever we want with the right help and support in place.
It is refreshing to see an Organisation that can appreciate the advantages to having Volunteers/Paid Staff who are Dyslexic, to welcome the qualities of a “Dyslexic Thinker” and to embrace what this means to the business with the individuals ability of looking at the “bigger picture”.
I am currently a personal trainer, I have lived experience of recovery and i have a passion for 12 step mutual aid groups and giving back to others.
I am excited to grow with STAR and help them achieve their goals. This opportunity has come at the right time for me as not only can I offer , support , experience and guidance.
I can also bring my qualifications from the fitness industry into STAR and help the clients develop physical and mental wellbeing. I believe physical rehabilitation is just as important. I am looking forward to the training and skills I will achieve with STAR Housing.
I am an experienced counsellor and group therapist, particularly interested in addiction and adoption. We know that addiction does not discriminate and I have worked with individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life. No one starts off with addiction as a life ambition. I have lived experience of growing up with addiction in the family and am in recovery from life…
I trained in Addiction Counselling at the University of Bath, in conjunction with one of the UK’s oldest and most established treatment centres. I currently work in private practice offering a safely held space for one-to-one counselling and group therapy and feel privileged to do so.
I believe in taking a holistic view of addiction and additionally have been a holistic therapist and tutor for over 30 years. I was fortunate enough to be able to also bring this skill to the residential treatment centre.
I am fully insured and have accreditation with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) as well as Advanced Practitioner status with Addiction Professionals.
Lizzie is an artist and teacher who runs art for well-being sessions in Bristol. Lizzie has a BA in Fine Art, a diploma in Art & Design, a Bsc in Childhood Development and a Waldorf teacher training qualification. Her passion is in creating inclusive and accessible art sessions that uplift her students. Lizzie’s art sessions encourage play, creativity, relaxation, connection, community and healing through sensory rich, mixed media materials.