Carers urged to 'Reach Out' for support
15 January 2008
Families and carers of people who misuse alcohol or drugs are to come together with professionals at a groundbreaking conference on Saturday (19th January).
Reach Out, is a free event being jointly led by Drugs and Homeless Initiative (DHI) and The Southmead Project, and sponsored by Safer South Gloucestershire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership and the Princess Royal Carers Trust. It will take place at the Council House, College Green, Bristol from 9.30am until 4.30pm.
The conference includes a session by author Elizabeth Burton-Phillips, whose book, ‘Mum Can You Lend Me Twenty Quid’ is a heart-breaking account of her twin-sons becoming heroin addicts.
Olwen Kelly, deputy head of Safer South Gloucestershire, said: “We are proud in South Gloucestershire to offer trailblazing support services for carers. This event is also a success story in partnership working, where irrespective of geographical boundaries, agencies have come together to meet the needs of carers by providing them with complementary and holistic services.”
It is estimated that in Bristol and South Gloucestershire there are at least 10,000 people who are dependent on alcohol and/or drugs. For each of these individuals, it is a safe assumption that at least seven others closely involved in their care (partner, parents, grandparents and siblings, as well as friends, employers or professionals) are significantly affected by their dependency.
‘Carers’ often bear the burden alone and don’t know where to turn, often to the detriment of their physical, emotional, social and financial wellbeing.
Esther Harris, senior practitioner (families) for DHI explained: “Whilst working with substance misusers for 11 years, it was impossible for me not to see the damage drug and alcohol misuse has on carers, but at that time there were limited opportunities to provide services geared to their needs.
“Since 2006 I have been privileged to work solely with family members and carers in South Gloucestershire and to better understand the very real and painful circumstances they find themselves in daily. This conference aims to give carers a voice and to tell them that, with support, they can improve their lives in their own right.”
Safer South Gloucestershire commissions DHI to provide a specific service for families and carers – ‘Families Also Matter’. The service provides one-to-one counselling, couples counselling, family meetings, support groups and training for professionals.
Helen* is one such carer who has benefited from this service. She said: “There comes a point when even the most resilient of people need help to cope if they are living with addiction in the family. DHI’s family support team in South Gloucestershire provides you with the tools, knowledge and support you need to harness the immense energy and strength which you have been using trying to manage someone else’s addiction alone.
“It was a totally new experience for me but I was struck immediately by the friendliness and genuine care shown by the group members, even though they were all dealing with their own very difficult personal situations. You can choose whether you have one-to-one counselling or take part in group sessions, but even if you just turn up to the meetings and listen you may just gain those vital seeds of hope.
“With the support of FAM, I have realised that I’m not completely powerless and that I can make changes which will help me and my children move on to a better life without the relentless misery of addiction.”
The speakers at the conference include Sue Smeeton (parent and a trustee of the Southmead Project), Elizabeth Burton-Phillips (author of ‘Mum, Can You Lend Me Twenty Quid’) and Ian Keasey (Deputy Regional Manager, National Treatment Agency South West). There will also be workshop sessions and an exhibition involving up to 20 organisations.
Mike Peirce MBE, of the Southmead Project, said: “It is a very refreshing, positive change in the right direction when people and organisations from across various divides can come together to help give a voice to parents and carers of drug users.
“Southmead Project and its partner agency Knowle West Alcohol and Drug Services (KWADS), with funding provided by the Bristol Drug Strategy Team have made enormous inroads into providing crucial and essential support for carers over the last two years.
“Similarly, the efforts being put in by the South Gloucestershire representatives is bearing fruit. This conference will help provide an indication of what has already been done, what still needs to be done and how this might happen.
“The fact that so many people are pulling together in order to make things happen will pave the way for more future partnership working which at last will mean greater hope for those who suffer most and frankly to date have not always had the best of deals.”
Please contact Families Also Matter (FAM) at South Gloucestershire Drug and Alcohol Services on 0800 0733 011 (free from a landline or callbox), The Southmead Project on 0117 9506022 or Knowle West Alcohol and Drug Services (KWADS) on 0117 9533870 to access help and support for either yourself or someone you care for.