March 2015 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 5
SUPPORT FOR WOMEN
IN SOMERSET
THE WOMEN’S ACTION GROUP
(WAGS), a
women-only
support group,
has been
launched in
north Somerset
to offer advice
on addiction to
service users,
their friends
and family.
Drop-in
sessions will
offer activities
such as nail care
and movie
viewings, along with support for vital issues
including domestic violence and empowerment.
Women will also be able to talk to peers
and female support workers about their
addictions and recovery.
For more information email
WESTON-SUPER-MARE
LEADS HEP C FIGHT
ADDACTION
’s hepatitis C treatment project
in Weston-super-Mare is being celebrated as
an example of best practice in treating
people with the virus.
During a discussion attended by leading
health professionals and politicians in the area,
it was announced that the project could be on
track to eradicate hepatitis C in the region.
The programme combines community-
based treatment with peer education, and has
led to an increase in testing and treating
those with a history of injecting drugs. The
peer educators are former drug users who aim
to offer psychological support to people
before, during and after their treatment.
John Penrose MP said of the service, ‘I’m
proud and delighted Weston is showing the
rest of the country the right way to fight and
eliminate hepatitis C.’
CLUB DRUGS CLINIC
SET TO OPEN
A NEW £400K PROJECT
has been launched to
address the harmful effects of novel
psychoactive substances (NPS).
The NEPTUNE II project, funded by the
Health Foundation and run by the Royal
College of Psychiatrists, will build on existing
research into ‘club drugs’ and will educate
clinicians on their harms.
‘Because new substances are emerging so
quickly, it is very difficult to expect clinicians to
identify and manage harmful symptoms of NPS
use,’ said NEPTUNE chair, Dr Owen Bowden-
Jones. ‘We hope that by giving more robust and
evidence-based guidance to clinicians, we will
make a real difference for patients.’
NEW CENTRE IN
BLACKPOOL
CASSIOBURY COURT
has opened a fully
residential treatment centre in Blackpool.
The 18-bed facility will also offer 12 months
of aftercare.
KCA CYCLER IN
CHARITY
FUNDRAISER
NICK HICKMOTT
, a substance
misuse worker for KCA’s young
persons’ service in Canterbury,
will be cycling from John
O’Groats to Land’s End to raise
money for the Oliver Fisher
Special Care Baby Trust.
Hickmott, along with his
former colleague Gareth Wren,
will set off from Scotland on 24
July and will cycle 100 miles
each day with the aim of
reaching the Cornish headland
ten days later.
Their challenge can be followed on Twitter
while they are training and during the ride
@10Days1000Miles.
NEW PROJECT TO
SUPPORT OFFENDERS
A 15-MONTH PROGRAMME
of workshops
and coaching sessions has been launched to
support service users in HMP Onley.
Beyond Recovery, in partnership with
Phoenix Futures and the Northamptonshire
Healthcare Trust, are offering the
programme to help offenders in recovery
with their decision-making abilities.
Outcomes of the project will be evaluated in
Autumn 2015.
NOTTS AWARDS HONOUR
SPIRIT OF RECOVERY
THE FIRST
Spirit of Recovery Awards, hosted by Double Impact,
was held recently to recognise contributions to the recovery
movement in Nottinghamshire.
More than 150 nominations were received across 12 categories,
and were judged by a panel made up of staff from Double Impact,
including three ex-service users.
The event brought together staff, volunteers, service users and
people from the local community who support Nottingham’s
recovery community, including the Sheriff of Nottingham,
councillor Jackie Norris.
TREE PLANTING
CELEBRATES RECOVERY
MORE THAN
2,300 native saplings
were planted in Heartwood Forest, St
Albans, by current and former Phoenix
Futures service users to celebrate the
hundreds of people who completed
treatment over the past 12 months.
Phoenix Futures are working in
partnership with the Woodland Trust
to offer the opportunity to take part in
conservation therapy through a
‘Recovery through nature’ programme.
Phoenix Futures will also be
running workshops in the run-up to
the general election to address the
issues that service users face when
registering to vote. The workshops will
aim to help people in recovery engage
with the political process.
Nick Hickmott
and Gareth
Wren plan to
cycle 100
miles a day
for 10 days.
Hannah
Hassanin
and Michael
Scoones take
part in the
‘Recovery
through
nature’
programme.
LocaL News
