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4 November 2025

Every day people are carrying out good deeds so we decided to celebrate the great work that charities, community groups and campaigners do with a regular feature on Tuesdays, to tie-in with #CharityTuesday on social media.

This week, we caught up with Chris Sylvester, founder of Leeds not-for-profit company Getting Clean to find out more.

How do you support people?
We provide peer-to-peer support to people in drug and alcohol recovery including effected family members by giving them support showing that change is possible.

Many of the people we work with get involved in making the soap that directly supports Getting Clean to be able to help others onto a similar path. They go from needing support to becoming the support. That kind of lived experience is powerful: it breaks stigma, builds trust, and creates community rooted in understanding and mutual respect.

What geographical areas do you support people in?
Leeds with networks UK wide.

How did you come to be founded?
I was first introduced to heroin in the school toilets aged 12. The only education I received was how to obtain and procure substances, preventing me from having to deal with the reality of my world. From the age of 15 I became a small cog in the criminal justice system and prison service. My prison number and addiction became my identity for over 26 years. At the age of 36 I found recovery by chance. This was not intentional as I was powerless to my addiction and had been for so long. I was presented with an opportunity to attend a mutual aid meeting, peer to peer support lived experience recovery. My addiction had always spoken louder than any professional trying to provide support. When met, my peers provided an insight and identification that deeply resonated. Seeing a solution, I gripped hold of recovery firmly with both hands. Finding a new way to live and not merely existing, I carved out a new life gaining employment within support services. After a period of time of being a support worker I became frustrated by seeing people that I identify with failing to receive the support that was needed. Whilst working a 50 hour week in a homeless shelter I came up with the concept of Getting Clean. A project allowing people to support one another, promoting abstinence based recovery which focuses on an individual’s skills, strengths and empowers them to become leaders within their communities. The skills that I acquired throughout my career as a criminal have now been transferred and applied to the business methods that we approach as a multi award winning enterprise, selling bars of soap that not only inspire hope but also reduce crime and grime at the same time.

How many people do you have working at Getting Clean?
We currently have 6 employees and a team of over 140 valued volunteers.

How can people support you?
One of the most direct ways people can support this journey is by purchasing our handmade soap. It’s more than a product, it’s a vehicle for change. We employ people with lived experience in the soap-making process, offering meaningful work, skill development, and a pathway to stability. Every bar of soap sold helps fund the support services we provide, making it possible for more individuals to take their next step forward.

But support doesn’t stop there. Sharing our message – by following, liking, and posting on social media helps us reach more people, challenge stigma, and grow a network of empathy and action. Every share is a chance to change someone’s perspective or get them involved.

We also believe in the power of collaboration. Whether through creative partnerships, community initiatives, or brand alliances, working together expands what’s possible.

Have you faced any challenges along the way?
Despite strong support from local stakeholders, one of our biggest challenges has been navigating a highly competitive funding landscape. There are so many worthy causes, all vying for the same limited pots of money. While the goodwill is there, the financial resources often aren’t. Our solution was to build a level of self-sufficiency through our social enterprise: making soap. This model allows us to generate our own income, reduce reliance on grants, and reinvest directly into our mission. The soap-making enterprise not only funds our work but also creates meaningful employment for people with lived experience, making it both a financial and social engine for change.

Do you have any events coming up and where can people find out about these events?
Our website and social media pages are the best way to see us in action.

Is there any advice you could give to other agencies?
“if you want a sausage, see the butcher” – don’t be afraid to ask the people with the correct expertise for help.

You can find out more about Getting Clean on their website or via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok or X (Twitter).