NUCF Minutes 15/10/2015

Minutes for NUCF   15/10/15

Chair: Cliff

Minute Taker: Andy

Around the room introductions. 10 Forum Members

Apologises: Dave

Client advisory Groups. 

Trading Places:

Andy gave new members an explanation of what Trading Places was, how it was set up and the running of it. Also talked about the need for more volunteers and 3 people put their names forward. Except for the need for more people there are no issues with the running of Trading Places.

Plummer Court Monday & Wednesday: 

Richie & Cliff explained to the new members what happens in the Monday and Wednesday groups. There is a great atmosphere within the groups and both the staff and clients react really positively to the NUCF members being there. Again more volunteers needed for both groups.

Recovery Clinic: 

Terry gave an update on his role at the Recovery clinic and 1 member said they would be interested in finding out more and potentially volunteering at the clinic.

Guest Speaker:

Steve Loxley: Director of Recovery Advocates North East (RANE)

Steve introduced himself and talked briefly about his experience within the world of substance misuse, services and recovery. He explained how RANE came to be and the objectives of the organisation. Steve broke this down into 2 areas;

Advocacy: This is specifically around helping clients directly. Taking them to appointments, to recovery groups and mutual aid meetings. To help people to get a structure in their lives. Also to educate service users on how different services work and the best way for people to get the best outcomes from these services. Essentially bridging the gap between people and the services that they interact with.

Peer Led Recovery: This element is about making recovery visible in the community, to encourage people not to hide but to be ‘part of’. Encourage people to attend groups etc. Also to promote recovery nationwide as well as regionally and locally. There is very strong recovery I other areas of the country and the North East can learn from these areas and incorporate their best practice.

There were comments about residential rehab and Steve explained that there are benefits to this but everyone is an individual and needs differ. But there is a need for an awareness around what rehab is and that there are different options such as the RAD’s in Durham. 

RANE advocate a range of recovery meetings and models and are running SMART meetings and mutual aid meetings for new comers. 

There was a question around how the forum can get involved with RANE. Steve said they would be welcome at meetings and there would hopefully be volunteer opportunities in the future but only after RANE had put in place a structured volunteer program.

Men in Recovery Event

Andy gave an update that there is a men in Recovery event planned and to be facilitated by the Road to Recovery Trust at the Hancock Museum on Saturday 21/11/15. All welcome and volunteers needed.

Revive 2016

Revive recovery Festival planning has begun. The second meeting is to be at Broadacre Hse 6.30 on Wednesday 22/10/2015 again everyone welcome to attend and get involved.

Guest Speakers

Discussion around getting new guest speakers for the forum. Suggestions put forward were Graham Brewis, a representative from DWP, PROPS and a University drug and alcohol Welfare Officer. Andy will make contact and see if these people can attend.

Next NUCF: 29/10/2015

Location: Plummer Court

Chair: Chris

Minutes: Richard

Guest Speaker: Gail Bland from Uservoice.