The NUCF meet every 2 weeks on a Thursday from 12pm-2pm at various Service User Venues across Newcastle.
The aim of the meetings are to ensure that service users’ views are fed into strategic planning and delivery.To ensure that the voices of users and carers in both the treatment system and recovery communities are heard and acted upon. To enable positive outcomes within decision making commissioning and procurement processes. To support and represent the voices of service users across the Drug, Alcohol, Offending and Housing agendas.
NUCF Meeting 13/11/2014 Turning Point
Minutes of NUCF
Attendees: Andy Hackett, Steve Jamieson, Terry Thomas, Terry Hatch, Robert, Lynn, Richard, Chris, Tony (Probation), James, Gary, Derek, Julie Whitfield, Angie (Turning Point), Ross (observing) and Andy (Visiting) Other Turning point staff? (Apologies if anyone’s name has been missed I did not have an attendee list so I may have forgotten some people’s names).
Apologises: None
Introductions round the table.
Agenda/discussion points:
Update on Client Advisory Groups and Events
Trading Places (Sunday 9.30-12.30 Ron Eager) – Richie and Cliff updated on Trading Paces at Ron Eager house. Everything running smoothly and the Christmas Party is on 21st December from 10am – 2pm. There is a Christmas lunch, presents and games like Bingo. There is capacity for more service users in general and it was discussed if extra volunteers were needed for Christmas as there were 100 people attended last year. Andy he will review as we need to make sure we accommodate everyone.
Anyone is welcome to come along and visit on Sunday to see what happens but if you want to volunteer you must attend the Friday planning meeting 1.00pm at Ron Eager. Trading Places is now on EVERY SUNDAY until further notice.
Plummer Court – Terry Thomas updated on the work NUCF has done at Plummer so far. Five groups now running started with just one. Attendance is an issue and continuity important as well as volunteers as Groups based around recovery and support like this take time to establish. It was mentioned that a lot of people who attend Plummer only go to collect their scripts and this might be a reason why attendance is low. Cliff discussed advertising groups and recovery services at Trading Places as good place to spread the word as plenty of service users attend.
Recovery Clinic - A new opportunity for the NUCF to engage with clients at Plummer Court. Takes place Tuesday and Thursday on the 1st floor. Offering peer support to clients who are trying to reduce their opiate script and get into recovery. Terry Thomas updated and said is going well supporting people in end of care and continuing care. Advising clients on what help and support is available after detox/titration e.g. Fellowships, Help Groups, Recovery Centres. Gary discussed his involvement, arranging appointments and introducing a SMART Recovery Group at Plummer Court (Changing Lives).
12 Step introduction group at Plummer Court (Wednesday 10.30-11.30) A session facilitated by the NUCF to give people an introduction to the Fellowships and the 12 step programme. Aim is to break some myths and let people know what to expect if they attend a meeting.
Andy updated on the 12 step group, which Chris has agreed to help facilitate. It has not been supported well so far but will continue and NUCF will try and promote in services like Plummer Court, Trading Places, Recovery Centre and Lifeline Outlook using word of mouth, Blog and flyers/posters.
If members of the NUCF want to volunteer at Plummer then let Andy know and you will be added to the volunteer group.
Please do not just turn up at Plummer as you may not be allowed into the day centre and will not be able to claim back expenses.
Communication.
• Blog – Chris updated and is now set up and ready to go live. Content has been added on personal experience of Trading Places and UK Recovery Walk contributed by Richie. Andy and Lizzie did article about the experience day presentation done by Andy and Andrea to Social Work students at Northumbria University. James mentioned about doing an article about the changes in recovery, help and support over the years as there is far more available now and more acceptance and understanding of alcoholism and addiction. Andy mentioned if everyone could get behind the Blog and support it by contributing articles and information on recovery e.g. personal shares and stories about experience, strength and hope (can be anonymous), experience of recovery, recovery events, volunteering and work experiences.
• Posters – Group discussed where NUCF Posters can be distributed. Julie Turning Point, Cliff Recovery, Lee Hostels agreed to distribute and it was suggested to distribute in Hospitals (alcohol/substance abuse wards), Food banks, Crisis Point and Lifeline Outlook. It was also mentioned to design new Posters for NUCF Plummer Court Groups and Trading Places. Chris and Terry Hatch agreed to do these. Julie Turning Point said she will do Poster for Turning Point and Chris agreed to send her NUCF and link for the free Poster Design website he uses.
• Leaflets and timetable discussed for services as not everyone has access to Blog/PC. Lynn said she will design something and send to Andy for review.
All items, ideas and information for the blog and/or literature to be sent to Andy for proof reading.
Turning Point
• Julie Turning Point discussed Westgate College promoting their courses, which they have on a wide range of subjects e.g. therapeutic, learning/academic, practical and cost £5 each if on benefits and anyone is welcome. Chris mentioned if it would be suitable to have an article/link on the Blog?
• Andrea Turning Point discussed about Commissioner who has set up Pilot Scheme called Successful Completions. It is to investigate why service users are still in treatment, clean of street drugs but still on scripts after 4 years. It will look at the possible barriers to their recovery like personal issues, health and environment. Andrea asked if anyone knows someone in this situation please refer them to Turning Point.
• Peer Mentoring - Julie Turning Point and Terry Thomas discussed Peer Mentoring courses, volunteering and training as there are a number of roles being created by Changing and Fulfilling Lives and Turning Point to support clients in their recovery. Turning Point has done a leaflet for this. Terry discussed his volunteering role and has been instrumental in this. He said it has been an important part of his recovery and he has really enjoyed it. Cliff also vouched for it as he has done Peer Mentoring and confirmed how you are paired with clients from similar back grounds. He said as a lot of recovery services utilising Peer Mentors now and it is going to be a big part of their services in the future.
Peer Mentoring courses last 8 weeks and involve role play, sharing experience strength and hope with established peer mentors and promoting recovery services. Turning Point courses are held in Gateshead and Changing Lives and Fulfilling Lives volunteer courses commence next month tbc.
• Andy discussed recovery roles for Integrated Treatment and Recovery Support and Care Co-Coordinators. There is going to be a centralised centre for Drug and Alcohol support in future. Anyone can provide feedback online via the Council website on the Lets Talk page. You can also email Duncan Miller directly and commissioning has been put on hold until this information has been collected, analysed and reviewed.
It’s Christmas!
• Regional Service User and Carer Christmas Party confirmed and will be on 16/12/2014. It brings together the 12 areas of the NUCF for Christmas and to share and celebrate all the good work that’s been done and of course to celebrate Christmas together. Newcastle Venue still tbc Andy will confirm at next NUCF.
• Trading Places Christmas dinner Sunday 21st December. Trading Places will open at 10.00am and stay open until 2pm for the dinner and party. There will be presents, games and more volunteers are needed. Cliff discussed how brilliant it was last year and how much the service users enjoyed it and the feedback was amazing. Trading Places will also be open throughout Christmas from 10am-12pm. NUCF Members welcome to attend to help and celebrate.
• NUCF and Turning Point combined Christmas party 18/12/2014 at St John’s the Baptist Church on Grainger Street Newcastle. Turning Point staff organise everything. There will be plenty of food, guest speakers and party games, all welcome.
AOB.
• Celebration, Remembrance and Hope Day at the Brunswick Methodist Church, Brunswick Place Newcastle City Centre (behind Waterstones Book Shop). This year the event will take place on 04/12/2014 at 3.00pm. The event is a chance to celebrate recovery and remember those we have lost to the disease of addiction.
• Gary discussed the Service Users Training Day at Northumbria Uni. It was part of the Social Work student’s curriculum and he had a really good day. It was a course on presentation skills and interviewing techniques. Feedback from group was really successful. Committee to include NUCF and other services in future and they are looking to introduce in to their curriculum as alcoholism, addiction and recovery is not included.
• Steve Jamieson discussed meditation groups at the Recovery Centre on Wednesday 1-2.30pm – for beginners – abstinence based and great way for newcomers to learn how meditation can really help recovery.
• Cliff discussed his involvement in the Remembrance Day football which was a brilliant success and well supported. Cliff said it would be great to promote more events like this in the future.
Next NUCF at Plummer Court 27/11/2014 12.00-2.00
Chair: Cliff
Minutes: Lee
“We are Service User like you involved in raising awareness about Newcastle’s Drug and Alcohol Services”.
