Our Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services have been bursting at the seams with energy and creativity as we have been celebrating Recovery Month over the course of September. We have been running a wide range of activities and events to engage people with our services and show how fulfilling and diverse recovery can be. This has included art competitions, sports days, volleyball, soup making, a book club, a sound bath and a range of inspirational guest speakers.
At the end of August we also recognised International Overdose Awareness Day. Many sites held poignant events as well as sharing key harm reduction messages. This has also tied in well with providing training to prison officers to start carrying nasal naloxone to equip them for overdose response.
In terms of partnership working, we have seen some really effective collaboration in response to the early releases under the recent ‘SDS40’ government initiative. We are so grateful for our positive links with probation, healthcare and community services that have enabled us to respond to the much-increased volume of prison releases.
At the heart of our approach is our belief in people’s potential and the absolute highlight of our work is seeing individuals take up our offer and make positive changes to their lives.
Matt Wall
Head of Services - Midlands and South West Prisons
Getting to know a Peer Mentor
This Peer Mentor has been working for us for a few months and is making a real difference.
What made you want to become a Peer Mentor?
I follow the 12-step programme and have to keep engaging with other people. Being a Peer Mentor keeps me in check, even if it's talking to someone who isn’t ready to start their recovery journey. I love watching people grow.
What kind of support do you offer?
I try to bring the meetings over to my wing so it’s easy for people to come. I share my experiences - that has been a game changer for me. No matter how bad things have got, and I have been in a really bad state, it’s reminding people that change is possible.
What would you say to someone starting their recovery?
To start with me, and be honest with what they want to change and how. Then I can guide them and give advice. Abstinence isn't for everyone so it’s looking at what they want to do. Do they need to detox? How will they fill their time? I can help and make a difference. I’ve gained a lot of trust in this role.
Have you learnt anything about yourself during this role?
I've learned that if you are a resentful person then that isn’t healthy, and I've learnt that some of my relationships have been toxic in the past, but that can change. I've also learned that it’s ok to ask for help.
How have you found working with the team at Change Grow Live?
Brilliant. I have established some really good relationships with the team. They’ve helped my son and I to reconnect and I now receive letters from him. They've also been really patient with me as I’ve not been the easiest of customers - this has been paramount. They’ve also offered great opportunities such as speaking to other volunteers here.
What are your plans for the future?
When I get out, I want to be a drugs counsellor in a dry house and I intend to sponsor people through the 12-step programme, which has been a vital part of my recovery journey. Most of all, I really want to just spend some time sitting and chatting to my children as there is lots of time I’ve missed out, but I want to catch up on.
Sharing an inspirational creation by a Service User at HMP The Verne.
Improving our service for people who are neurodivergent
Following a review of our drug and alcohol treatment pathway, led by partners Genius Within, we are working to make our service more accessible and welcoming for people who are neurodivergent.
Some of the steps we’re taking include closer working arrangements with Neurodiversity Support Managers and improved Continuity of Care processes (e.g. with the consent of people using our services, sharing a Communication Passport capturing reasonable adjustments).
A significant proportion of work has included:
- The redesign of resources used by the recovery team to support engagement and delivery of interventions.
- Newly designed pocket books on Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention. Designed to fit into your pocket or wallet and targets those who have a poor working memory or struggle to retain information.
- A Neurodivergent Supply Box, filled with resources designed to increase engagement in 1:1 and group programmes.
- A 30-page Neurodiversity Staff Toolkit to assist staff in delivering evidence-based, best practice support.
We are proud of how much we have achieved in this project and would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our partners who worked generously and tirelessly to deliver on our project vision and objectives.
Elaine Wilcock, Service Redesign – Project Manager
My life story, by a client in HMP Channings Wood
“I grew up in Devon and lived with my Mum, Dad and sister. I had to go to a boarding school for emotionally challenged pupils. I really enjoyed my time there but got into the wrong crowd. It started when I took recreational drugs, brought in by a fellow student.
Weed became my coping mechanism because I had some abuse as a child. I used this to forget the pain I went through.
For this reason, I would like to tell my story so that people who are using drugs will think again.
Drugs were controlling me to the point I started stealing to fund my habit, something I am not proud of at all. I lost the support of my family during this time apart from my grandmother who was very important to me. I even pushed my faith aside.
I felt supported with my neurodiversity and used the sensory room which had soft lighting and comfy chairs. I struggled with managing finances and they provided me with food bank vouchers to support my partner, dog and I in a difficult time.
During my 30 years of taking drugs, I have not only used and abused my body. I have drove people away. Drugs are not the answer and not worth it. Seek help and start the long journey of recovery. I have returned to my faith for guidance, as well as seeking support from my loved ones and Change Grow Live.
When I entered custody in Exeter, I asked to work with Change Grow Live again to help support my recovery. My keyworker was able to help with my complex needs and I felt their previous experience led them to understand what I was going through.
If it wasn’t for Change Grow Live, I don’t know where I’d be now.
I rescued my dog at 7 months old, who is still with me at the age of 13. He, along with my partner are the loves of my life and I can’t thank them enough for what they have done for me.”
"Since working with us, he has continued to be motivated with his engagement, showing commitment to his recovery and proactive with offering suggestions to adapt and improve the service we offer, keeping it client centred." Recovery Co-ordinator.