ABOUT STILL HERE
A Foreword from Sarah, Still Here Founder
“Still Here was born from a lifetime of loving people affected by addiction.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived alongside the impact addiction has had on the people I love.
As a child, I experienced the effects of alcohol, gambling, drug use and domestic abuse long before I understood what addiction really was. I left home at fifteen believing I was leaving it behind.
Instead, I found myself continuing to love people whose lives were affected by addiction. It touched relationships, my first marriage and, years later, my own family. Today, one of my sons continues to navigate the challenges of addiction.
Throughout my own journey, I found support that helped me, and I will always be grateful for those services. However, much of that support wasn’t available face-to-face in my local community. Some services also only support family members when the person experiencing addiction is already engaging with treatment.
What was missing was somewhere I could go in my own right. Somewhere I could simply be Sarah, without having to explain myself, knowing the people around me would understand.
All of my experiences have reinforced what I already knew…whilst every family’s circumstances are different, the emotions they carry are often the same.
…And families matter too.
That became the beginning of Still Here - a place where families could support one another, reconnect with themselves and discover that hope could quietly begin again.”
stilL HERE'S PURPOSE
Still Here supports the families, friends and loved ones of people living with addiction.
Every family’s story is unique, but the emotions are often remarkably similar: fear, hope, guilt, worry, isolation, exhaustion, heartbreak, and confusion.
Still Here exists to ensure that no family, friend or loved one has to carry the impact of addiction alone.
Our groups provide a safe, welcoming, and confidential environment where people can speak openly without fear of judgement. We don’t focus on the addiction itself; we focus on the people living alongside it, because no one should have to face this journey alone.
We help people reconnect with themselves, rebuild hope, and remember that whilst they cannot control someone else’s choices, their own wellbeing matters too.
Registered Charity/CIC Number: Registration in progress
Why Still Here Was Created
Still Here was created from both personal and professional experiences and with one simple belief:
Whilst addiction affects one person, it impacts everyone who loves them.
Still Here was founded by Sarah Tingay, whose own experiences show how deeply addiction can affect families, friends, carers, and loved ones.
While many services rightly focus on the person experiencing addiction, she recognised that families are often left carrying fear, confusion, grief, exhaustion, and isolation with very little dedicated support.
The idea for Still Here came from Sarah’s experiences and belief that loved ones need a safe place of their own. Somewhere to talk openly, feel understood, ask questions, and be alongside people who know what it is like to live with the impact of addiction in the family.
Sarah Tingay, Founder & Chair
Sarah brings together over thirty years of professional experience supporting people through some of life’s most challenging circumstances, alongside a lifetime of personal experience of loving someone affected by addiction.
Her career has included adult social care, supporting children and families affected by crime, and working as an integrative counsellor.
Throughout her life, Sarah has lived alongside the impact of addiction on the people she loves. As a daughter, partner and mother, she has experienced the uncertainty, fear, hope, grief, and exhaustion that addiction can bring to families.
Sarah is passionate about creating compassionate, non-judgemental spaces where families feel safe enough to speak honestly, connect with others and remember that they matter too.
stilL HERE'S VALUES AND PHILOSOPHY
Our Values
Compassion – We meet people exactly where they are, without judgement.
Hope – Even in the darkest moments, hope can be found.
Connection – Healing begins when people realise they are not alone.
Respect – Every person’s journey is unique, and every story deserves to be heard.
Authenticity – Everything we do is rooted in honesty, integrity, personal experience, and professional understanding.
Collaboration – We believe families receive the best support when organisations work together.
Empowerment – We don’t tell people what to do. We help people rediscover their own strength and confidence.
Our Philosophy
We cannot make someone choose recovery.
We cannot remove addiction from another person’s life.
We can make sure families don’t lose themselves whilst loving someone who is struggling.
We can be…Still Here.
SMALL BEGINNINGS,
REAL CONNECTION...
Since starting in July 2026, Still Here has supported 23 people.
Not everyone feels ready to attend a group, and taking that first step can look different to each of us. But that support matters too.
We are in the process of launching an online group and want to bring Still Here to rural areas, so more people can access support closer to home.
23
PEOPLE SUPPORTED
Since July 2026
13
FACE TO FACE SUPPORT
Through group sessions
10
SUPPORTED IN OTHER WAYS
Through phone calls, messenger and email
26
SURVEY RESPONSES
Helping shape our future
OUR PARTNERS
vIA WEST BERKSHIRE
VIA delivers the 5-Step Method programme for families approximately twice a year. Still Here offers ongoing peer support between programmes and after they finish, giving families a space to connect, share experiences and focus on their own wellbeing.
Families do not need to have attended VIA’s programme to access Still Here.
ADDICTION
FAMLIY SUPPORT
Still Here is listed in the national Addiction Family Support directory for West Berkshire, making it easier for families and friends searching for help to find local support.
BERKSHIRE HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Still Here is in contact with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. A meeting is being arranged with its Co-occurring Mental Health, Alcohol & Drugs (COMHAD) leads to explore how we can work together to improve support for families and friends affected by someone else’s addiction.
The COMHAD approach is guided by the principle “Everyone’s Job – No wrong door.”
OUR fUNDERS
THE GOOD EXCHANGE - GREENHAM TRUST
Still Here’s pilot was supported by funding from Greenham Trust and donations through The Good Exchange.
This support helped us launch free peer support for families and friends affected by someone else’s addiction.
We are grateful to everyone who helped make this possible.
WEST BERKSHIRE WELLBEING FUND
Funding from the West Berkshire Wellbeing Fund helped support Still Here’s pilot, providing a welcoming space for families and friends to share their experiences, feel less alone and focus on their own wellbeing.
FURTHER FUNDING
Further grant applications are in progress and we look forward to shairng additional funding success stories soon.
If you would like to support Still Here with funding, please get in touch!
how to SUPPORT STILL HERE
If you or your business would like to support Still Here in the Berkshire area, there are a number of ways we would value your input, skills and funding. We are a small CIC, with a big responsibility and need your help!
FUND & SPONSOR
We are grateful for the funding we have recieved to date. We would love to partner with local businesses and any members of our community who are looking to fundraise.
VoLUNTEER WITH US
We are looking to expand our outreach. We would love local volunteers to help out at upcoming community events and are always looking for anyone with skills to offer in our growth.
HELP REACH MORE PEOPLE
Spreading the word about Still Here is easy. Please follow us on Facebook and engage with our posts by liking and sharing. If you know of anyone who may need Still Here, please share our details with them.