NUCF 13/11/2014 Turning Point

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

Personal Share by Terry Recovery Volunteer and NUCF member

I am currently involved in the Recovery Clinic at Plummer Court on Thursday's.

An exciting volunteering role based at Plummer court, offering peer support on a 1-1 bases on strength and hope from my own experiences and giving clients hope, that recovery is a journey and that through network of support and what NUCF has given myself since leaving Rehab and many obscures along the way. 

I have learnt that sharing and listening My own stories through losing everything and losing faith and belief, that turning a corner was a fear when shame and guilt was what i lived, I found life a bore and family and children a resentment that held me back, when truly this wasn't the case but I had to look at some of my own faults and that this disease was but a symptom and that my behaviour needed addressing. Since then and now looking back on the very low parts of my life and despair and hurt I brought to others and myself, I have come to accept and learnt many new ways to cope and manage things and knowing I have a network of peers and social network of friends from many walks of life, keeps me sane and strong. I have been able today to walk a wider path without much fear or remorse but learnt that each day I can choose to help myself and help others. Giving back something to the community in recovery is certainly helping myself, either via telephone support, to people wishing to reduce or give them hope, to going onto wards in detox. 

The recovery clinic  is a new form of support offering peer support to  individuals the opportunity to learn new ways on coping and managing and what's also on offer via many agencies either via volunteering or other support groups, and ways to meet new people in similar situations and pass on the message that you don't have to suffer no more, as there's lots of help and support out there. 

You have a voice let it be heard have your say and be counted.

Visiting lecture at Northumbria University.

PROPS & NUCF Skills Day at Northumria University


Andy - Service User Involvement Officer

As the Newcastle User Carer Forum (NUCF) has grown over the past 7 years we have increasingly become involved in community engagement and shared learning's.

On 10^th October we continued this by visiting Northumbria University and a lecture for 1^st year Social Work students. The first of these sessions was 2 years ago and it has now become embedded as part of the course curriculum.

This session was designed with PROPS to give the students an insight into the potential life changing and life threatening consequences of drug and alcohol misuse. Including an awareness of the issues and some first-hand experiences of life during and after active addiction and the support groups and networks that are available to people.

There were a few nerves all round as myself and the 2 NUCF members walked into a full lecture theatre of 86 students but after the initial introductions I think we started to feel more relaxed.

We spent some time helping to facilitate a workshop around drug and alcohol awareness which was followed by an excellent presentation by PROPS. Just before lunch the 3 of us did a 20 minute share on our personal experiences of active addiction and how it affected us and our families. Following a second PROPS presentation the NUCF presented on mutual aid, peer support and the NUCF.

Personally I found the day emotional, educational and extremely rewarding. All the students left post it notes at the end which were very positive and heart felt pieces of feedback.

Following the event 1 of the students has attended the NUCF and has booked a date with a fellow student to come and volunteer at Trading Places. A member of the forum has been back to the University for a learning day and we are hoping to continue these great shared learning opportunities in the future.

Lizzie first year Social Work Student

I’m Lizzie, a first year social work student at Northumbria university.

On the 10^th of October PROPS (Positive Responses to Overcoming Problematic Substance abuse in the family)and members of the NUCF (Newcastle User Carer Forum) came in to do a skills day and tell us a bit about what they do and share some of their personal stories.

It was a fantastic day enjoyed by everyone. We really learnt a lot, not just about what PROPS and the NUCF  do but that no matter how bad your situation is, if you want to turn your life around it can be done with the help and support of the various organisations and Charities around, you just have to want it enough.

They were all an absolute inspiration, so much so I’ve been along to a Newcastle Users Carer Forum meeting to get more involved and will be helping out at Trading Places (A Sunday morning drop in centre for street homeless people in Newcastle). As well as being inspiring they completely removed what people see as ‘the stereotypical’ addict and replaced it with the view that addicts are just people who lost their way and need some guidance getting back on track. I hope to do a lot more work with you guys, see you all soon! :-)

P.R.O.P.S Website

NUCF 30/10/2014 Plummer Court

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 30/10/2014 Plummer Court

Agenda/discussion points: Update on Client Advisory Groups and Events

Plummer Court (Wednesday afternoon 1.00-3.00) - Forum members are attending Plummer day care to engage with clients there, to advocate on their behalf and encourage them to get involved in recovery based activities. If members of the NUCF want to volunteer at Plummer then let Andy Hackett 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.

Recovery Clinic - A new opportunity for the NUCF to engage with clients at Plummer Court. Takes place Tuesday and Thursday on the 1^st floor. Offering peer support to clients who are trying to reduce their opiate script and get into recovery. Terry has been representing the NUCF at the clinic and feedback has been very positive.

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.

Trading Places (Sunday 9.30-12.30 Ron Eager) - The group is embedded and working well. An average of 25 people using the service and plenty of volunteers from the NUCF. Anyone 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 Ron Eager. Trading Places is now on EVERY SUNDAY until further notice.

Guest Speaker - Malcolm Conway - Health Improvement Manager: Transforming Rehabilitation.

Malcolm came back to the forum to give an update on the work he has been doing with Changing Lives around the changes in the Probation service following privatisation. Various companies have been bidding for the contract to manage probation services in certain areas company wide. The contract for Northumbria (which includes the Newcastle probation offices) was won by Sodexo Justice Services part of the Sodexo group.

Along with Interserve they are to be put in charge of more than half of probation services in England and Wales under the most far-reaching privatisation in the criminal justice system. This will affect low to medium risk offenders and the 7 year deal will begin from next year.

Sodexo already manages HMP Northumberland and so have existing experience and relationships within this area.

Communication.

Blog – Testing model of the blog is ready and Chris needs content from NUCF members. Robert, Pam, Terry, Lynne, Nasir and Andrea to send pieces to Chris. Andy and Lizzie to send their piece around the University learning day. All items for the blog to be sent to Andy as well for proof reading.

   

It’s Christmas!!!

Regional Service User and Carer Christmas Party potentially 16/12/2014. Venue and details   to be confirmed but most likely to be in Newcastle.

Trading Places Christmas dinner in the diary for Sunday 21^st December. Trading Places will open at 11.00 and stay open later for the dinner and party. Members welcome to attend to help and celebrate.

NUCF and Turning Point combined Christmas party 18/12/2014 at St John’s Church Newcastle. Food, guest speakers and party games, all welcome. Time to be confirmed.

AOB.

Celebration, Remembrance and Hope Day. 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. Next planning day is 11/11/2014 email Andy if you have any ideas or would like to attend. 

       

Pam suggested some members presenting to Oaktrees Primary Care and Continuing Care around the NUCF. Point made that this has already happened and Oaktrees have a contact for information about the NUCF. Agreed that existing Continuing Care members would ‘spread the word’ of the forum, with permission and engagement of Oaktrees staff.

      

Next NUCF at Turning Point 13/11/2014 12.00-2.00

Terry will chair next meeting

Chris will take minutes

      

Thank you for my Birthday card, cake and banners I really appreciated it Andy H :-)

NUCF and the UK Recovery Walk 2014 Greater Manchester

UK Recovery Walk

Richy - NUCF member

I went to my first UKRW (which if you don't already know stands for UK Recovery Walk) in Greater Manchester on Saturday 13th September this year and it involves people who are in, or have been through recovery.

UKRW Manchester 2014 Video

The trip was organised by Andy Hackett, who is the Service User Involvement Officer for Newcastle, and it was open to all service users and people in recovery in the Newcastle area. We travelled to Manchester by coach and the event was easy to find and well organised. The event starts with everyone gathering around a big venue stage where different people talk about UKRW and carry the message of recovery, followed by a walk through the streets with banners, people also wore UKRW merchandise like t-shirts etc.

Oh and I made sure the whole walk new Newcastle was represented by starting off a rendition of Toon, Toon Black and White army, which everyone joined in with!.

It was an absolutely awesome day with hundreds there, everyone was really friendly and it was great meeting people in recovery from different parts of the country and making new friends. Everyone who went from the NUCF enjoyed themselves and if you didn't make it this year you really did miss out on a great day, but hey don't worry if you did there's always UKRW at Durham next year.

At the end of the event UKRW always do a handover for the area that has been chosen to host the event the following year, and the North East will be represented for the first time as Durham was chosen to host UKRW for 2015, so no excuses if you don't make it! :-)

UKRW 2014 Handover Video

Volunteering for Trading Places

Ron Eager House

Richy – Member of the Newcastle User Carer Forum and Trading Places Volunteer

I volunteer for Trading Places at Ron Eager House on a Sunday, which runs fortnightly in the Spring and Summer, and then every week in the Autumn and winter months.

A team of volunteers from the NUCF start around 9.15am and we prepare hot and cold drinks and cook breakfast for service users in the Newcastle area. We open the doors about 10am and provide a warm, comfortable friendly place where everyone can relax and socialise in a safe environment. There is TV, showers and laundry facilities and we play games like Bingo where prizes are won like a box of chocolates. Everyone seems to really enjoy being there and the atmosphere, which is always relaxed, friendly and good fun. I really enjoy my time there, engaging with people and getting to know them, and generally having a good laugh.

What is Trading Places?

The Trading Places project is where service users trade places with staff of Ron Eager House on a Sunday to become experienced in service delivery, and eventually deliver services themselves. Ron Eager House provides assertive outreach to make contact and support with rough sleepers and those facing chronic exclusion from society.


The Trading Places programme is an excellent example of how service users are involved in service delivery in such a way as to make it more responsive to the needs of the community, and also as meaningful occupation and a route to employment. Twenty two people have gained employment through the programme so far, and out of the sixteen permanent staff at Ron Eager House, twelve are ex-service users.