Stoke-on-Trent Community Drug and Alcohol Service were part of a team who have been awarded just under £400,000 by Public Health England.
The bid was led by the Stoke-on-Trent City Council Commissioners for Adult Social Care, Health Integration and Well being and Stoke-on-Trent Community Drug and Alcohol Service. The funding will help improve the lives of those affected by alcohol, using a 3 pronged approach:
1. Dedicated alcohol access:
To make services feel safer and more attractive, with dedicated space for people with alcohol problems. This will help increase engagement and reduce the stigma that can be associated with attended a drug and alcohol service, which will change perceptions associated with a service many feel are focused on drug users, whose treatment needs are felt to be different from their own.
Additionally a child friendly area will be created to encourage parents to engage and create opportunities for mutually supportive relationships to develop, aiding recovery
2. Breakfast club for rough sleepers:
To increase engagement with rough sleepers through a breakfast club, delivered from the central building, providing opportunities to engage people, familiarise them with the service, and promote visible recovery to inspire positive change.
3. Maximise engagement:
Convert community venues to increase points of access. A venue on the hospital site will be adapted, providing opportunities to strengthen pathways with the hospital and providing a direct route and immediate support in a non-stigmatising environment, engaging people at a time when they may feel more motivated to address issues following alcohol related incidents or worsening health problems. Engagement will also be enhanced by developing online support and mobile pods for use in GP surgeries etc to engage people who are reluctant to physically attend the service.
