A local charity called EACH is offering you an opportunity to saddle-up and take one of its four places on a prestigious, 100-mile bike ride to help it rebuild lives.

For the last 26 years EACH Counselling and Support, based in Hanwell, has been helping people affected by drugs and alcohol, mental health issues or by violence and abuse.

You can find out below how you can help the charity by raising money on the Prudential Ride London 100 bike ride, on Sunday, 30 July. It will be the fifth time the annual three-day festival of cycling has taken place, after being set up by the Mayor of London in 2013.

People are referred to EACH by Ealing Council to help them overcome their addiction to drugs and alcohol or reduce their risk of homelessness. EACH runs counselling and abstinence-based group programmes; and also offers support to deal with tenancy issues, or help to get back into work.

It has also started a new service called The Jasmine Project for women experiencing issues with domestic violence, abuse, mental health or homelessness – providing a safe and confidential, women-only, environment to address their needs.

‘I had truly hit rock bottom’

Jean (not her real name – name changed to protect her identity) was referred to EACH in 2015.

She said: “I had lost my home, my family, my friends, my self-respect and truly hit rock bottom.

“Growing up I didn’t have any proper guidance and I lost my way in life and, consequently, I began misusing substances aged 13.

“But when I found out I was pregnant I decided it was time to get some help.”

Jean attended a 12-week abstinence programme run by EACH, which she said made a real difference to her approach to life and how she dealt with problems. She has since been supported by a counsellor.

She said: “When I first went, I was guarded and was unsure but what really helped was that it gave me structure to my days and my life as a whole. I learnt to accept the past and understand the present and developed good coping skills to minimise any relapse potential. As the days slowly turned into weeks that slowly turned into months, I became more of myself. I became assertive and confident.

“I am lucky to have the support of my partner and his family and, in terms of maintaining my recovery, I still see my individual counsellor every week.  I find that this relationship keeps me grounded and focused. My counsellor isn’t the only person I see at EACH who helps me, though. All the staff there have been amazing and continue to be so with their support.”

Up for a place at Prudential Ride London 100?

To raise money for EACH, the charity is offering four places to riders ready for the 100-mile endurance cycle through London and the Surrey countryside.  If you are ready for a challenge, you can ride to help EACH rebuild lives. Contact Hazel by 22 May 2017 to register your interest, via email at hcartmill@eachcounselling.org.uk or call 020 8577 6059.

More information about EACH

• Visit the website www.eachcounselling.org.uk or its Facebook page
• Contact the main office by email at info@eachcounselling.org.uk or by calling 020 8579 4529
• Contact the housing support team by email at infoefss@eachcounselling.org.uk or by calling 020 8579 9837
• Contact the Project STRIDE team (employability services) by email at mailto:stride@eachcounselling.org.ukor by calling 020 8961 8623