Welcome to the first edition of the West Kent Recovery newsletter. We will be keeping you up to date with West Kent’s information, news and events along with stories and some creativity from staff, volunteers and people that use our service.
Hi, my name is Sue Park, and I am the Volunteer Coordinator for West Kent. My role means that I recruit, train and place volunteers throughout our 3 services in Maidstone, Gravesend and Tunbridge Wells.
I started my journey with Change Grow Live as a volunteer because I wanted to support people to make changes that can feel very challenging.
Over the years, I have had the privilege to work with, and be inspired by, the people that use our service; this allowed my knowledge and confidence to grow, and I now enjoy sharing some of that knowledge when training new volunteers and supporting them to grow and live life to its full potential.
For me learning new skills has been a big part of growing as a person. As the saying goes, “knowledge is a powerful thing”.
Keith's Story
Keith has been a volunteer with us for 4 years
This is how he became a part of our team.
What made you want to become a volunteer?
Due to mental health issues, I was out of work for 15 years. But after successful medication I felt more able to re-join the workforce. I had acquired some qualifications at the Winfield Trust and felt like I could cope with some form of part-time employment in admin. I had a long list of voluntary positions and Change Grow Live appealed to me as I felt like I could use my skills and my own experiences with drugs to support others. My doctors and Care Coordinators also agreed that voluntary work was the way forward as the demands of paid employment would increase my anxiety.
What’s the best thing about volunteering?
Volunteering has given me the flexibility to manage my condition with my medication and daily help from carers. It enables me to strike a balance with work and other activities benefitting my physical and mental health such as going to the gym and pursuing my hobbies of making music, walking and wildlife photography.
What’s your favourite memory from volunteering?
I can’t choose just one favourite memory as I’ve had many wonderful and interesting experiences including days out and events. I have particularly enjoyed taking photos and producing videos to mark the occasions. It is a pleasure to work alongside such caring staff and clients.
Volunteers Day out at Leeds Castle:
Here are some of the beautiful photographs that Keith took on the volunteer’s day out at Leeds Castle this year.
Keith also has his own website where you can see more of his photos and where he creates and mixes his own music. You can visit his website and find out more here.
If you are interested in starting a new journey and becoming a volunteer, then please check out our volunteering page here to find out more.
Recovery Month
Each year in September, services around the UK celebrate recovery in all its forms. It is important that we continue to be visible within local communities and ensure that people who need help with drugs and alcohol can find the support they need.
Recovery is for Everyone: every person, every family, every community.
The National Recovery Month emphasises the importance of inclusive programmes, language, and treatment that lower barriers to recovery for everyone and reduces stigma.
This year for Recovery Month we celebrated recovery with events in each service across Maidstone, Gravesend and Tunbridge Wells. We ended with a Recovery Walk in Mote Park Maidstone and Gravesend, where the people that use our service, their friends, family, and even their pets joined us.
It was a beautiful day, and everyone enjoyed getting to know each other. It was so successful that we will be doing it all again next year.
Check out a few photos of the day captured by our volunteer Keith:
Recovery College
The Kent and Medway Recovery and Wellbeing College provides health related educational courses, free of charge, in supportive and accessible learning spaces.
Through education, people can make sense of their experiences and learn how to take care of themselves and others.
You can find out more information about Recovery College by visiting their website.
Family Support
We also work with the families of people who are struggling with drugs or alcohol. Our new Senior Family Worker Liz has been running a programme for families who are working with social services or Family Drug & Alcohol Courts. She will be running her next programme for families in early 2023.
Discover more about the SMART Family & Friends groups by visiting their website.
For other supportive links, which includes information about relevant organisations and charities, alongside other information for families please click here.
Have your say
The people we help and support are at the heart of everything we do, so it’s important they have a say in things.
Service user forums
Earlier this year we had our first service user forums since the pandemic. This forum allows us to hear your views and thoughts of what the West Kent service is offering. It also allows us to share any news and announcements about the service. So please come along and share your suggestions so we can work together to better shape our service. There will be tea, coffee, and snacks available.
Forum dates and times:
Gravesend: - Friday 25.11.22 – 12-1pm - These will continue to be by monthly from this date.
Maidstone: - Monday 7.11.22 – 10-11am - These will continue to be by monthly on the 1st Monday of the month.
Tunbridge Wells: - Thursday 17.11.22 at 3:30-4:30 PM – These will continue by monthly from this date.
For more information for how you can have your say, please visit our feedback page here.
A message from our Services Manager Claire Begent
I hope you have enjoyed reading the clips and stories in the newsletter and would like to join me in offering offer a big thank you to Sue Park and the West Kent Volunteer Team for pulling together such a fabulous first edition.
If you’re using one of our services, we want to involve you in decisions about the way we do things:
We really want to hear from you as well as your family members and friends, to ensure that our drug and alcohol services benefit those most affected by substance misuse.
Competition time
I am pleased to announce we will be running a competition to find a name for the newsletter.
We would also value your feedback on the content.
Please send your feedback and entries to name the West Kent Drug & Alcohol Wellbeing Service newsletter to:
Volunteer Coordinator [email protected] or Service User representative [email protected]
Closing date for the competition is 13th January 2023
How to get involved in future newsletters
If you would like to contribute to our newsletter with stories, music, poetry, art, craft, recipes, or any other creative and inspirational ideas you have then I would love to hear from you.
Please get in touch either by phone or email:
M: 07741163146
Go back to the Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Service - West Kent webpages.