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The Bush, Abertillery, was once the town's top hotel, but for the past twenty years has been a key home in the work of Victory Outreach UK, helping recovering alcoholics, drug addicts and ex offenders.

The charity was founded 25 years ago by Dinah and David Sansome, who had become convinced it was needed after years of trying to help homeless young people on the streets of London. It now has six homes, with about fifty residents between them at any one time. It has given hope to literally thousands of young people from all over the United Kingdom, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, has been its supportive and active patron since his days as Bishop of Monmouth. Earlier this year Dinah Sansome handed on the directorship to Richard Taylor, himself a former drug addict and convicted criminal.

Roy Jenkins spends a day at The Bush with its residents and managers to gain insight into how Victory Outreach UK operates, to assess the challenges it faces and discover how the work fits in with the story of Christmas.

All Things Considered can be heard on Radio Wales on Sunday 20 Dec at 8.30am and is repeated on Wednesday 24 Dec at 6.30pm).

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