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people in recovery and working in the field, as well as those supporting recovery for
individuals and communities, and they can participate at no cost as race entry fees
have been jointly funded by the ADP communities sub-group and Glasgow Life, the
event organisers. The sub-group has also commissioned jogscotland to deliver a
bespoke ‘jog leader training course’ with 20 people signing up for accredited training
to establish and support jogging groups across the community rehab network.
Investment such as this is central to the GRANDweek ethos, with an increasing
focus on nurturing and sustaining community involvement and participation. The
sub-group is now keen to link its work with the wider aspirations that are being
highlighted as part of Glasgow’s staging of the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
We want individuals and groups to be well recognised for their significant
contribution to supporting community responses to alcohol and drug issues and
GRANDweek provides a banner for lots of different partners to work together in
raising awareness, involving communities and building partnerships.
Interest in the initiative recently went beyond the UK when I was invited to
deliver a case study and workshop presentation at the WHO European Healthy
Cities Networks annual business and technical conference in Liège. European
delegates responded enthusiastically to the idea of GRANDweek and a number
of countries wanted to know more about what we were doing – an exciting
development in sharing ideas further afield.
DDN
Stephen Birrell is service manager (alcohol, drugs and communities) with
Glasgow Community and Safety Services and is chair of the ADP communities sub-
group and the GRANDweek steering group. For more information email
stephen.birrell@glasgow.gov.uk or visit www.glasgowgrand.org
September 2012 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 9
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
Cover story |
Partnerships
group has performed locally and nationally to a wide range of audiences and has
been included in health board planning groups across Scotland. A highlight for
the group was being invited to perform for the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood –
next stop Hollywood!’
*****
Events this year will be particularly diverse with recovery becoming an increasing
focus in the week’s activity. Partners in Glasgow's north west have used GRAND
funding to plan for three conversation cafés about recovery, while a city centre
recovery hub will open on Saturday evenings. A celebration event, It’s GRAND to be
a Volunteer will recognise the work of volunteers in the addictions field in north
east Glasgow. Drama productions will include
Autumn Falls
, performed by
Toonspeak Young People’s Theatre and pupils from secondary schools in Glasgow; a
film premiere and dance event focusing on how alcohol and drugs have an impact
on young people in the south of the city; and a family support drama,
Knock at the
Door
, developed by Family Addiction Support Services with input from Strathclyde
Police and the procurator fiscal, looking at the issue of drug-related deaths.
‘Planning for these events has involved service users, recovery volunteers and
supporters of recovery from across the wider community,’ says Jackie Smith,
team leader at Glasgow’s North West Community Addiction Team. ‘It's been a
genuine team effort which has led to really positive networks and partnerships
being supported across the sector.’
This year’s week will also be heralded by more than 150 members of Glasgow’s
GRAND Recovery Runners doing the 10k at the Great Scottish Run. Runners include
‘This year’s event takes place
from 8-15 September and
includes an extensive
programme of almost 80 locally
led activities across Glasgow,
with a major event taking place
in each community health
partnership sector.’
AND
ideas
Photos, left to right – Glasgow Council on Alcohol’s ‘One Woman’ drama
performance, North West Glasgow Community Drama Group at the
GRAND week 2011 launch and serving up GRAND mocktails.