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UNDERNEATH A BLUE BARNSLEY SKY
, a group of keen knitters are setting up
camp for the day at a popular town spot. Before long, they’re hard at work
creating brightly coloured masterpieces – we’re not talking woolly jumpers and
scarves however, but recovery.
Over the last couple of months, residents in Barnsley have been waking up
to a new form of temporary street art that is sweeping the world, called
yarnbombing. Handmade banners saying ‘recovery for families too’ and other
colourful knitting have been appearing on buildings throughout the town, all to
raise awareness of the support for carers of loved ones affected by substance
misuse and show how important it is for families to get their lives back too.
The decorative messages have been created by carers, along with team
members and volunteers from Swanswell’s carer support service. The service is
part of Barnsley’s integrated treatment system, offering emotional and practical
support on a range of issues, from understanding a friend or relative’s treatment
to help with carers’ allowance applications.
Swanswell’s carer support service also provides a range of activities like days
out, and art and craft workshops called Knitswell, which is where the yarnbombing
idea started out. During July and August, the team decorated some of Barnsley’s
well-known landmarks, with the permission of the buildings’ owners.
The awareness-raising initiative has generated a lot of interest from the
public, who’ve been actively supporting the campaign by donating wool and
knitted squares and businesses have also offered their help. It’s all been
building up to an open day in Barnsley, where the group will be attempting to
cover the local carers’ cabin entirely in wool.
As Jeni Upperdine, senior practitioner at Swanswell’s carer support service
says, there’s a serious message behind yarnbombing:
‘Caring for a loved one affected by substance misuse can be a very isolating
experience and many don’t know where to turn for help. So we’ve come up with
an eye-catching way of letting people know that we’re here and there are
organisations like Swanswell that can help.
‘Over the past couple of months, our Knitswell project’s been highlighting that
it’s not only the person misusing alcohol or drugs who needs recovery, but their
family also needs to recover from the bad effect substance misuse has had on
them and their loved ones.’
Stuart Goodwin is PR executive at Swanswell. To find out more about Swanswell
and the carer support service in Barnsley, visit www.swanswell.org or to offer your
support to Swanswell, visit www.justgiving.com/Swanswell.
Team members and carers from Swanswell’s carer support service will be
involved in the first Adfam/DDN family conference, Families First, on Thursday 15
November in Birmingham. Details at www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
EVERY YEAR ADFAM RUNS A FAMILY VOICES
COMPETITION
, asking families to submit
their poems or pieces of creative writing
about their experiences of a loved one using
substances. The entries never fail to impress,
move and inspire us and demonstrates the
strength and resilience families show in the
face of devastating circumstances. Below is
last year’s winner, which shows both the
hope and strength families can offer to a
loved one’s recovery.
Please ask family members to submit their poems and creative writing to
familyvoices@adfam.org.uk. Details can be found at www.adfam.org.uk.
Joss Smith is director of policy and regional development at Adfam,
www.adfam.org.uk
Families First, the Adfam/DDN families conference is on 15 November in
Birmingham. Details at www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
FAMILY MATTERS
September 2012 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 15
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
Recovery |
Family matters
BE THE VOICE
This year’s Family Voices competition is now open
so please encourage family members to take part,
says
Joss Smith
For My Daughter
There is a light within you
It’s buried deep inside
Lost and tinged with sadness
From the world that lies outside.
Your life is not in a bottle
Or in a powdered haze
These are just a smokescreen
For the dark relentless days
Of feeling down and useless
The pain of something more?
The painted face of misery
That knocks upon your door.
Look within your heart
And find what you thought lost
Let go of all your anger, your sadness
And your pain...
Let love be there to guide you
I'll be with you all the way.
The road ahead’s not easy
Just take it day by day
Together we will beat this
Just give it one more day.
Remember that I love you
You are my precious child
And I’ll be here beside you
To walk along the way
And when you’re feeling weary
And the road ahead seems tough
I'll put my arms around you
And shower you with love.
Sometimes on life’s journey
We choose a path that’s wrong
We feel like giving up at times
It’s then you must be strong.
Recovery for people misusing alcohol and drugs is
the first priority for treatment services but
Swanswell believes there should also be a focus on
families, says
Stuart Goodwin
Worthy yarn