Ambition Portsmouth has become a trusted, community-led service, grounded in lived experience and designed around the real needs of the people it supports. At a national level, the need for services like this continues to grow, with around 2.9 million people in England and Wales reporting drug use in the past year, and thousands of lives lost annually to drug-related harm.
Against this backdrop, the extension of our Ambition Portsmouth contract reflects the value of a model that not only supports recovery, but builds long-term resilience within communities.
Ayd Sims, CEO of AKG UK, said the continued growth of Lived Experience Recovery Services (LEROs) demonstrates the strength of the Group’s collective approach:
“The extension of our Ambition Portsmouth service alongside the launch of our newly formed Ambition Derby service highlights the strength of what we deliver as a group. Across AKG, we bring together deep expertise, trusted partnerships, and a genuine understanding of the communities we serve. ITS plays a vital role within that, consistently demonstrating how impactful, person-centred support can create lasting change.”
This impact is already visible in Portsmouth, where programmes rooted in lived experience are helping individuals rebuild confidence, develop new ways of thinking, and reconnect with their communities.
Phil Reynolds, Operations Director at ITS, said the success of the service since August 2023 is a direct reflection of the team delivering it.
“We are incredibly proud of our team in Portsmouth. Their commitment, empathy, real-life experience, and ability to connect with people have shaped a service that truly works and makes a meaningful impact at the heart of the community. Seeing this recognised through a further six-year contract award with Portsmouth City Council is a real testament to the impact they’ve made.”
He added that the launch of the Ambition Derby service marks an important next step:
“It means we can now bring similar opportunities to Derby. We’re looking forward to working alongside our partners Cranstoun, to support the local community in a collaborative way. Both our values are aligned in a way that we want to engage, support and empower people.
As Ambition Derby begins to take shape, the service which is formed as part of our new partnership with Cranstoun, will focus on supporting individuals who need it most. As part of our delivery model and having a welcoming activity hub, we will deliver an assertive community outreach service led by our Community Engagement Navigators into the heart of the community, ensuring that we reach into those communities so it’s not always expected that people come into services for help and support.
Our new Ambition Derby Hub, based at 12 Osmaston Road, Derby, DE1 2JA, will provide a warm, welcoming, community-led space where people can build confidence, develop skills, and connect with others with similar experiences.
Anyone interested in finding out more, accessing support, or working in partnership with the service can
contact the team via ambitionderby@intuitivethinkingskills.com or via https://www.intuitivethinkingskills.co.uk/ for further information.
You can learn more about our Ambition Portsmouth Service here https://www.intuitivethinkingskills.co.uk/ambition-portsmouth/ or you can contact the team on ambitionportsmouth@intuitivethinkingskills.com
