Supported Living

Rediscover Life Through Emerge's
Supported Living

Supported Living in Emerge is a 12 Step Based, Trauma informed approach set in a Psychologically informed environment

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Alcohol related deaths recorded in UK in 2025

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Emerge clients in paid or voluntary work

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Emerge clients have at least 9 months cleantime

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Emerge clients engaged with aftercare support in Q4 2025

Emerge Services and Information

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Welcome to Emerge

Emerge was founded in 2007 by Gerry Phillips with a clear and compassionate purpose: to create safe, supportive environments where people who have experienced vulnerability can begin to rebuild, rediscover themselves, and move towards recovery at their own pace.

We support individuals facing a wide range of challenges, including homelessness, alcohol and substance use, learning difficulties, and mental health needs. We recognise that these experiences are often interconnected and shaped by trauma, loss, and instability.

Our approach is grounded in understanding, choice, and respect. Emerge’s professional, highly trained staff bring many years of experience and work alongside individuals to promote trust, restore confidence, and support progress towards greater independence. We believe recovery is not a one-size-fits-all journey, and we are committed to walking beside each person as they define and achieve their own goals.

Emerge Charity
What We Do

Emerge Trust
What We Do

At Emerge, our primary focus is supporting people as they transition from primary and secondary drug and alcohol treatment programmes into third-stage recovery support.

Third-stage support centres on rebuilding everyday life in a safe and sustainable way. This includes support with reintegration into mainstream living, such as accessing stable housing, developing life skills, and moving towards education, employment, or volunteering opportunities. We recognise that this stage can feel daunting, and we work alongside individuals to help build confidence, structure, and independence at a pace that feels manageable.

Through our work in Bristol, we witnessed first-hand the significant barriers many people face in securing safe, suitable housing and ongoing support. In response to this unmet need, Emerge expanded its remit to include support for people experiencing homelessness. This decision reflects our commitment to reducing harm, promoting dignity, and ensuring that no one is left without the safety, stability, and support they need to move forward.

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Alcohol related hospital admissions in UK 2025

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Emerge clients are in supported move on flats

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Emerge clients in work/vol work/education/training

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Emerge clients have at least 1 year cleantime

Services Available
How We Help?

Services Offer
How We Help?

One size does not fit all at Emerge, and it really depends on your circumstances as to what type of help would be made available.

For those suffering with Alcohol and/or Drug misuse, we have our 12 Steps based Recovery Approach.

Alongside this, we have integrated a Trauma Informed Approach in order to be able to connect with and support clients with historical trauma in recovery and re-housing.

A Trauma Informed Approach is not a replacement for trauma-specific therapy but a framework to ensuire all interactions are sensitive to the potential efects of past trauma. It does this through key principles and practices of:
  • Safety

  • Trust and Transparency

  • Choice and Collaboration

  • Empowerment

Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) are services designed to take into account the psychological and emotional needs of both service users and staff, and helps to support people with complex needs. This is achieved through key principles of:
  • Psychological Awareness

  • Staff Training and Support

  • Understanding Behaviour

  • Therapeutic Relationships

  • Safe and Welcoming Spaces

Learn More about Our Services

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Emerge Recovery Supported Living

Providing safe, stable, and nurturing environments for individuals seeking a fresh start.
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Psychologically Informed Environments

Discover how Emerge uses the PIE framework to build trust and reduce conflict
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Integrated Trauma Informed Approach

Discover Emerge’s trauma informed care: safety, trust and empowerment that supports long-term recovery
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Volunteering Opportunities

Exclusive volunteering and work pathways that rebuild routine, confidence, and purpose in recovery.
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Proven Recovery Approach

A proven approach based on a framework adopted by many fellowships worldwide.
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Counselling

More details coming soon...

Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE)

At Emerge, we create homes where people feel safe, understood and able to move forward, whatever your starting point. That’s why we work as a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) — a service approach shaped around the emotional and psychological needs of the people who live and work here.

PIE means we pay close attention to relationships, daily routines and the spaces we share. We work with you in a calm, consistent and respectful way, so support feels predictable and practical — helping you build stability, strengthen wellbeing and take confident steps towards your next goals.

Integrated Trauma Informed Approach

Emerge adopts an Integrated Trauma Informed Approach into their programme, to help those who need a little extra specialised help.

At Emerge, we recognise that many people don’t just need to “stop using” — they need a safe, steady environment where they can rebuild trust, learn new coping tools, and recover at a pace that feels manageable. Trauma-informed support helps us understand behaviours as survival responses, not personal failures.

By weaving this approach through our daily routines, boundaries, and recovery work, we aim to reduce re-traumatisation, strengthen emotional safety, and support long-term change alongside our 12 Step, supported living model.

Integrated Trauma Informed Approach

Emerge adopts an Integrated Trauma Informed Approach into their programme, to help those who need a little extra specialised help.

At Emerge, we recognise that many people don’t just need to “stop using” — they need a safe, steady environment where they can rebuild trust, learn new coping tools, and recover at a pace that feels manageable. Trauma-informed support helps us understand behaviours as survival responses, not personal failures.

By weaving this approach through our daily routines, boundaries, and recovery work, we aim to reduce re-traumatisation, strengthen emotional safety, and support long-term change alongside our 12 Step, supported living model.

Proven Recovery Program

The 12 steps os Alcholics Anonymous has been adopted by almost every other Addiction Organisation as it has already been proven that it works.
The 12 steps takes you through a journey of from the very simple act of admiting you were powerless over your addiction of choice, all the way through to providing you with the tools and design for living.

This is a program of action, and while meetings, fellows, sponsors are all there to help guide you, this program requires you to put the work in in order that you get the most benefit out of it.

If you do that, you will see miracles happen that you thought were never possible, including never having to resort to your addiction of choice again!

In Partnership with...

What Our Clients Say...

I arrived in Emerge in the summer of 2023. I was homeless, jobless, in debt, my family had lost interest in me and I was completely broken.
I was welcomed by people who understood and actually “lived” the life I was living.
I was desperate and eagerly accepted help and guidance from everyone (staff and clients alike) and regained something I had all but lost, “Hope”.

Today, two and a half years later, I have a job working as a Comunity support worker, focusing on people with mental health and addiction issues. My immediate family are back in my life and I see my children on a regular basis. I’m about to move into my own house and my future is looking better than I could have imagined.
Emerge made this happen.
If anyone is struggling, lost, alone and feeling hopeless, but willing to turn their life around for the better, then I wholeheartedly recommend contacting Emerge. They quite literally “saved my life” and for that, I’m eternally thankful and overwhelmingly grateful.
Thankyou 🙏
Danny
Ex-Resident
I have been a client at Emerge Charitable Trust for the past 20 months, and my life has changed in ways I never thought were possible. Emerge has not only supported me in entering back into recovery, but continues to support me through difficult times in my sobriety. The staff have always been kind, supportive, and they really care about us. They always go above and beyond.

I have also made some of my closest friends while living in the houses, which has meant a great deal to me. The houses are well maintained, and any maintenance issues are always addressed promptly.

Emerge has been my home for the past 20 months and continues to be a place where I feel safe and supported. I would highly recommend it to anyone who needs a stable and encouraging environment to focus on their sobriety. It has given me the time, space, and encouragement I need to heal from my alcohol and cocaine addiction.

Seeing both myself and my peers grow and change through this opportunity has been incredible. I still remember my first day I was extremely nervous but everyone welcomed me warmly and helped me feel at ease. I am very grateful for Emerge and the positive impact it has on people looking to change their lives around 🧡
Anonymous
Ex-Resident

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Karl

Karl has been in Supported Living for over 6 years and has brought a wealth of experience to Emerge. His honest and empathetic style has enabled new clients to trust him quickly and settle into recovery.