Sunderland Area Parent Support (SAPS) is a peer-led charity supporting parents and carers who are affected by a loved one’s addiction. We understand the emotional and practical challenges families face when supporting someone struggling with substance misuse.

Since 2007, SAPS has provided safe and welcoming spaces where carers can talk openly, access support and connect with others who understand what they are going through. Many of the people we support experience isolation, stress and financial hardship while trying to cope with the impact addiction has on family life.

Our services provide both emotional and practical support, including peer support groups, counselling, one-to-one support, advocacy and community foodbank provision. By bringing people together and offering compassionate support, we help carers feel less alone and more able to cope with the challenges they face.

Each year SAPS supports over 1,000 carers acrossSunderland, helping families access support, improve wellbeing and build stronger connections within their community.

Quotes from someour services users

"Before finding SAPS I felt completely alone trying to cope with my son’s addiction. The support group helped me realise I wasn’t the only one going through this."

"Counselling gave me a safe place to talk about everything I had been carrying for years. It helped me feel stronger and more able to cope."

"Talking to other parents who understand what you’re going through makes such a difference. SAPS helped me feel less isolated."

"When things were really difficult for our family, SAPS were there to listen and offer support without judgement."

"The support I received helped me understand addiction better and gave me the confidence to look after my own wellbeing."

"Knowing there was somewhere I could talk openly about what was happening in my family made a huge difference."