Substance Misuse Carer Support
On this page
- Lead Organisation
York Carers Centre
- Project contact
Samantha Sollitt sam.sollitt@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk c/o York Carers Centre: 01904 715490
We provide regular groups for carers of those who misuse substances or have addictions.
We received a small amount of additional funding to undertake a scoping exercise and to work alongside carers to co-produce recommendations for the development of this work. This included information and training, health, societal perceptions and influencing conversations with addiction services to encourage more holistic family approaches.
We set up a steering group to support the development of the themes identified through the initial scoping exercise.
- Project duration
Scoping project Sept 2022- March 2023, support service remains in place.
- Key beneficiaries
Substance misuse carers
Substance Misuse Carer Support
Why we started this initiative
The evidence that informed this work came from discussions with carers of people who misuse substances. They revealed feelings of being disregarded by alcohol and drug services, adding to existing feelings of being undervalued and inadequate. They told us that substance misuse services focus on treatment with users and do not engage carers or understand the value of carers in helping a family member go through treatment/ recovery.
We also used local and national data to evidence the need to focus on this community.
Our goals
- Understand how we can help people to identify as carers and access support to maintain their own wellbeing.
- Co-design recommendations to increase identification and reach.
- Embed improvements to help carers identify themselves as such.
- Put interventions in place, informed by the scoping exercise so that carers from this community identify and access support to maintain their own wellbeing.
- Ensure that interventions are sustainable.
- Share with others.
How we’re implementing it
- A steering group was developed and carers really engaged in this.
- Training and information sessions were held on topics identified by carers.
- Opportunities for carers to be truly heard.
- Asset based resources developed by carers using their own skills including films, a leaflet and potential for a book.
- Exposure to the media using local radio and television.
- Marketplace event to gather all relevant agencies together.
- Recognition by other agencies.
- Groups continue, with carers feeling ownership of these and guest speakers regular suggested by carers themselves.
The key factor of success for this project is that carers were involved from the start. They are all struggling with their caring roles and many are affected to the extent it’s had a negative impact on their own health and wellbeing. However their dedication and passion for making improvements is instrumental to its success.
Carers developed the asset based resources themselves with support, then formed a distribution team who deliver leaflets to GP surgeries, pharmacies, hospitals and community venues across the city. The carers created the list of themes and they suggested possible solutions. Being able to work through, develop and be involved in those solutions means that they are heavily invested in the project’s success.
The second key factor is the leadership demonstrated by the worker involved in this project. She has driven it forward with real passion, ensuring that carers voices are heard at every point.
Hosting a marketplace brings together key organisations such as Al anon, AA gamcare, York in recovery, Public Health and the local authority was essential. This bringing together of key organisations was key to building relationships and increasing understanding amongst them about carers needs and their ability to support the person with the addiction’s recovery. Marketplaces continue regularly and are a safe space for carers to attend, to obtain information and engage with providers without any commitment initially. This eases them in to support. Carers themselves have become carers champions and will provide peer support to any new carers.
Although I knew about the different services, actually meeting them face to face gave me a better insight into how they work and how they all work together. There’s nothing better than being able to talk to other family members who attend York Carers Centre support groups and the great support staff there too.
Carer, Marketplace event
This event was ground breaking for the City of York. It brought together all the active recovery fellowships, drug and alcohol services, GamCare and York Carers Centre all under one roof. Creating an opportunity for information sharing and most importantly better understanding for us all that addiction affects not just an individual but those around them who love them”
Staff, Marketplace event