Your first point of contact, whether by phone, email or in person. Our team will handle your referral with empathy and professionalism, connecting you to the right support.

Your keyworker (either a nurse, substance misuse worker, substance misuse specialist or recovery practitioner) is your main point of contact throughout treatment. They’ll get to know you, understand your needs, and work with you to develop your personalised recovery plan.

Highly experienced workers who will guide you through the alcohol pathways. These workers will also facilitate the Abstinence Preparation Group.

Recovery practitioners deliver brief interventions and structured treatment for up to 12 weeks in the other drugs pathway. They also facilitate the SMART groups, Stimulant group, Recovery Cafes and support peer mentors. 

Our nurses are trained to support people with alcohol and/or drug dependency. They’ll oversee any medical aspects of your care, including detoxification. They can also provide advice on managing your health and wellbeing.

Our team of nurse prescribers can support you with a whole range of interventions including tailoring any medication you need quickly to support your recovery.

Our Counsellor can help you explore the emotional and psychological factors behind your drinking. Through one-to-one sessions or group therapy, they’ll help you build coping skills, manage cravings, and address challenges that arise during recovery.

Our group therapist will support and guide you through the detox groups in conjunction with support from the ambulatory team.

Our medical team include Consultant Psychiatrists, Specialist Registrars and Trainee Doctors who provide diagnosis, treatment and medical interventions.

This team liaises with probation and prisons, ensuring continuity of care and a smooth transition from custody to community for people in the criminal justice system.

We work in partnership with a specialist Adult Social Care Substance Misuse Team who assess social care needs, complete applications for residential rehabilitation if indicated, and provide guidance to carers through a dedicated Care Practice Advisor.

Our Peer Mentor Programme offers additional support from people who have been through recovery themselves. Peer Mentors use their lived experience to motivate and encourage others, helping them engage more fully in their treatment.

Mentoring is a mutually supportive relationship built on empathy and shared experiences. Mentors are volunteers with the i-access service who have completed their own treatment journey and received specialist training, including NOVA (Nurturing Opportunity Visions and Aspirations), The Next Steps, and Peer Mentor training.

A Peer Mentor can support you with:

• Attending groups or accessing other services
• Setting and working toward personal recovery goals
• Navigating housing, benefits, or employment support
• Developing strategies to reduce substance use
• Participating in SMART groups.

Mentors typically work with people for up to six months, depending on their needs and goals.

If you’d like to work with a Peer Mentor as part of your recovery plan, or if you’re interested in becoming a Peer Mentor, please speak to your keyworker for more information.

Building resilience through boxing

Gloves is a 12-session recovery programme that uses the principles of boxing to build strength, resilience, and motivation.

• 6 classroom-based sessions focus on mindset, responsibility, and coping strategies
• 6 gym-based sessions use boxing training to reinforce key recovery skills—standing strong, staying motivated, and pushing forward even when things feel tough.

This programme isn’t about fighting—it’s about learning to face challenges with confidence and determination.

We have a dedicated CAB worker to help you with:

• Benefits and entitlements
• Debt management
• Other practical support typically offered by citizens advice
• Signposting to legal advice

We also have a dedicated housing support worker to advise you on any accommodation needs.

When you start your recovery journey with i-access you may be eligible for a Capital Card.

A bit like a loyalty card, you can earn points by attending appointments, going to groups, and getting health and wellbeing support.

You can then spend your points on positive and practical items like food and toiletries at your service, or in local gyms, cinemas, shops or restaurants.

i-access also arranges group events so you can use your points on things you might like to try or do with other people.

Breaking Free Online is an evidence-based digital treatment and recovery programme for addressing substance use in community settings. Once you start your recovery journey with i-access we will be able to provide you with free login details for this online resource.

To watch a brief video overview of Breaking Free Online, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWDLwM0wHDk

IPS is an evidence-based model that stands for Individual Placement and Support. In Surrey this is provided by Via.

IPS offers free and confidential support in-person, online and by phone with your personal employment specialist. This is alongside any support you are getting for your current or past alcohol/drug use.

Working together, we’ll help you to build up your skills and confidence and find the type of paid work that you want to do.

They can also help you with:

• Benefits advice and support.
• Guidance on sharing your personal information with employers.
• Help with any adjustments you might need in your new workplace.
• Access to clothing and equipment.
• Budgeting advice.
• In-work support, once you’ve started your new role.

IPS can also work with you if you are at risk of losing your job. Refer yourself to i-access or speak to your keyworker.