Councillor Mustafa Desai with volunteer John Hamill and CRI service manager Jackie McVan at the launch
Published Monday 22 February 2016 at 9:52
People across Blackburn and Darwen who are affected by drug and alcohol misuse can seek support via a newly officially-launched community-based service. The service has been provided by CRI and partners including Blackburn with Darwen Council since April 1st and celebrated its official launch on Thursday, February 18th.
CRI, the leading drug and alcohol charity, has launched Inspire Integrated Prevention and Recovery for adults and Go2 which is tailored to the needs of young people. They are based in ‘hubs’ in Exchange Street and Regent Street in Blackburn and within several locations in Darwen, with smaller services operating from a number of community-based access points and venues across the borough.
The support is ‘open access’, meaning anyone who needs help can get it without an appointment or a referral. A team of trained staff support people who need help in a range of ways including therapeutic group work, psychosocial interventions, prescribing and clinical interventions including detox, counselling, family work and a range of recreational and wellbeing focused activities to improve social networks and reduce isolation.
Staff can also support people who just want to reduce their alcohol use to improve health and wellbeing.
A wide range of partners also offer additional support including housing advice, access to training, volunteering education and support to establish enterprises. The result is a fully integrated service that will support people, families and communities to recover and make lasting and positive change to all age groups.
The new service was re-designed following the expiration of inherited contracts for Blackburn with Darwen Council following Public Health responsibility moving from NHS to local authorities in April 2013.
CRI agreed as part of the redesign to subcontract services from the existing local voluntary sector including involvement from organisations such as THOMAS and the CVS Fast4wd Project, as well as GPs, pharmacists and an organisation called the Work Company.
Jackie McVan, Services Manager, Inspire Integrated Prevention and Recovery Service, said:
We encourage anyone who is seeking support, or who has a loved one who needs help, to make contact. We are embedded in the local community and people can access support either from our bases or in their communities. People will be given a warm and supportive welcome, our staff are trained to help support people with a range of substance misuse problems, and we are looking forward to working with anyone who would benefit from support to make positive, lasting lifestyle choices and behaviour change.
Councillor Mustafa Desai, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said:
I was delighted to attend the official launch and celebrate our partnership with CRI. Our substance misuse service was re-designed with service users, families and carers at the core and focusses on addressing the root causes of drug and alcohol addiction and risk-taking behaviours and achieving better outcomes for all whilst ensuring improved health and wellbeing. We have been working together with CRI for nearly a year now and have been really excited about all the opportunities that have arisen and look forward to further building on what has already been achieved so positively in Blackburn with Darwen whilst forging these new relationships.
If you would like to access the help and support just visit one of the Blackburn or Darwen hubs; call (01254) 495014 for the adults’ service or (01254) 495052 for young people or visit: www.cri.org.uk/blackburn-darwen