Meet The Team At
Bright Start Homes CIC

Meet The Team

Dale Milne Director of Bright Start CIC

Dale Milne (Director) - My Story

Over a decade ago I was practically a homeless and lost drug addict that would often wash and eat at local soup kitchens. At this point in my life, I had no hope and was full of despair. I had also lost all sense of direction in life and was living in what can only be described as a constant fear.

“I drank for happiness and became unhappy. I drank for joy and became miserable. I drank for sociability and became argumentative. I drank for sophistication and became obnoxious. I drank for friendship and made enemies. I drank for sleep and woke up tired. I drank for strength and felt weak. I drank for relaxation and got the shakes. I drank for courage and became afraid. I drank for confidence and became doubtful. I drank to make conversation easier and slurred my speech. I drank to feel heavenly and ended up feeling like hell.”

The day I stepped into sustainable recovery was on the 6th of May 2014, I had only the clothes on my back with nothing but exhausted and broken relationships. Thankfully, one thing i did have was a desire to change and access to a supportive environment and safe place that I could call home for the first-time in years.

Because of this opportunity, I am proud to be able to say that today my life is very different. I have a very supportive wife with children, along with a very clear vision and natural desire to help others who find themselves in similar situations to my once lost and vulnerable self.

Karla Milne Bright Start CIC

Karla Milne (Director) - My Story

My name is Karla Milne and I’m a Registered Nurse. I have been a nurse for 12 years and have worked in various settings including Acute Medicine, Rapid Response, and Rehabilitation and have recently progressed into a more senior role (Sister). I have always been involved in Adult Social Care and decided to follow my dreams to help people in need since leaving school.

Dale and I now have a have a young family of our own together. I have always known about his own lived experiences and fully supported him on his journey to help others who found their most vulnerable self in similar situations. Together we have created Bright Start Homes to carry the message of hope, that you can recover and hard times don’t last. 

I believe that there are no limits to what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on your own thinking.

Louise Ford Bright Start CIC

Louise Ford (Head of Housing Management & Services) - My Story

My name is Louise and I am Head of Housing for Bright Start Homes. I joined forces with Dale and Karla in January 2021 after a 15 year career in substance misuse within a detox setting. I have personal experience of addiction and have maintained recovery for over 13 years. My personal experience ensure that I have a deep understanding and empathy for those facing similar issues.

I am a qualified mental health nurse with over 23 years experience of different settings including forensic mental health, eating disorders and in more acute settings. This mental health experience enables me to support individuals who are suffering from mental health difficulties.

At BrightStart homes we aim to create a safe and nonjudgmental environment, providing crucial support and guidance to individuals navigating their own paths to recovery. We value connection, community and the importance of having a safe place to call home.

Over the past 2 years I have been honoured to support individuals who have evidenced to me how planting a small seed of hope can empower them to take control of their own life’s and make positive changes. This in turn has a ripple effect of change and healing towards family, friends and out into the community.

Outside of work I enjoy walking, reading and spending time at home with those I love. I continue to work on myself and attend 12 step meetings to continue to connect with other recovering addicts which reminds me of the desperation I once faced and the importance of action in order to facilitate change to move into sustainable recovery. 

Suzie Brooks Bright Start CIC

Suzie Brooks (Finance Director) - My Story

I am a qualified Accountant and business advisor, specialising in working with ambitious companies to help them build successful, sustainable businesses.

The thing I love most about my work is helping people achieve their dreams and when Dale and Karla asked me to work with them, I jumped at the chance.

The passion they have for providing much needed support to others is infectious and their hard work and compassion is enviable.

It’s a privilege to work with such great people, who make a huge contribution to the lives of vulnerable people in our local communities. 

James Green - Bright Start CIC

James Green  (Recovery housing officer) - My Story

In July 2018, recovery had managed to find me when I had reached my rock bottom and became teachable. I had lost everything which consisted of my family, friends, and basic living skills and my identity. I felt hopeless and had an admission to a hospital with a brain infection and could hardly walk. I was truly lost and afraid.

This was a gift for me, and it brought me in into recovery. The support which I received was amazing, my life started to change from that moment I was a resident in a recovery environment. I no longer felt alone, and I was amongst people who had similar experiences to me on their journey.

Bright Start offered me the opportunity to work for them, I hadn’t worked in the community for 32 years because of the lifestyle addiction had in store for me. Now I’m happily married and have my family and daughters back in my life. 

Claire Quigley,  - Bright Start CIC

Claire Quigley, (Recovery housing officer) - My Story

I am the female support worker in our Recovery Homes. I have lived experience with addiction both myself and within my family and understand first hand how it affects the family as a whole.

I have professional experience within the Criminal Justice System and this has allowed me to understand that addiction shows no discrimination.

My personal recovery has given me the courage to help and support others and I strongly believe that this is key to my recovery and the recovery of the people I work with.

I am very grateful I have the opportunity every day to work within our homes and provide the people I work with a supportive community that I believe really enhances the chances of a positive recovery and the start of a new life.

Get In Touch


07543 508299

Email Direct

Contact Form

Referrals

We Are Open

Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:00

Company


Bright Start Homes

Read Reviews

Facebook Page

10a St Georges Park,

Kirkham, Preston

Lancashire PR4 2EF

© Copyright 2025 Bright Start Recovery Homes - All Rights Reserved

Complaints  | Web Design