Nurturing the shoots of
Bolton Service User and Recovery Forum (BSURF) explain how
they’re making the momentum around recovery work for them
RE
Much effort has been spent in the past on contacting active
substance users and guiding them towards services and
maintaining them in treatment.
In many cases this has resulted in
clients going on to a rehab and achieving their goals around drugs/alcohol use,
but relapse is all too common. The government has said that it wants to have
less focus on maintenance and encourage all service users towards
rehabilitation and recovery – and at the same time, there are cuts in funding in
all areas of public spending. Recovery is an extremely valuable achievement but
it is fragile and needs tending just like a young seedling. This help and nurturing
must increasingly come from recovering people themselves.
With this in mind, a group in Bolton has come together to help to achieve long-
term recovery and personal development. Started in 2010 and building on the
successes of the longstanding BUGS service user group, the Bolton Service User
and Recovery Forum (BSURF) has members from all different backgrounds, with
issues ranging from alcohol/drug addiction and mental health issues to social or
legal problems. Some members are out of services and recovering in the
community, and many more are still receiving input from services.
BSURF has no exclusive or particular definition of recovery. The intention is to
work together and help to achieve and preserve long-term recovery, whatever that
means to any individual. This has been done through a blend of peer-led support
groups and social activities involving the wider community.
Ten BSURF members have successfully completed their training as
‘navigators’ by way of a level 2 OCN-accredited peer mentoring course, which
several more are now waiting to start. The course was provided by Greater
Manchester West (GMW) NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust, with a view to the
navigators then working at the forefront of drug and alcohol services. These
volunteers attend outreach groups in five of the less affluent areas of Bolton, as
well as the central substance misuse service at Bentley House, meaning that on
any given weekday, any client of Bolton substance misuse services can spend
time with an inspirational and supportive peer mentor.
The navigator role involves co-facilitating the 13-session node link mapping-
based ‘discovery group’ programme alongside GMW staff members, helping
clients complete maps and contributing to discussions in groups, as well as
acting as a flexible link between mutual aid and formal treatment services. The
training enables navigators to support and sometimes challenge group members
in a motivational and empathic way, as well as keeping themselves and each
other safe at all times. Navigators are also involved in the welcome and options
meetings at Bentley House, making recovery highly visible to service users at the
first point of contact with services.
Other BSURF members have a regular presence in the waiting room at Bentley
House, an initiative that has been extremely successful in motivating clients to
embark on the road to recovery. Often this will take the form of an invitation to
attend BSURF or a local meeting of SMART, NA or AA where the navigator or staff
member will accompany them. As a result of this process the mutual aid
community in Bolton has significantly increased in both number of individual
members and availability of groups and meetings. This informal initiative has
given current service users the inspiration to see that recovery is possible, that
psychosocial problems are not uncommon and can be addressed, and that
support and fellowship is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Social activities are organised regularly, including monthly walks around
local nature reserves and an annual rounders competition with teams from
recovery groups throughout the North West. A golf tournament also took place
with BSURF members and Bentley House service users taking part in three
practice days followed by a competition day, with handicaps, prizes and a
presentation dinner. This has led to a small but active golf society and, with
20 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| July 2012
Service user involvement |
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‘By forming friendships...
BSURFmembers have been
encouraged to take opportunities
that have involved growth and
commitment beyond their
previous experience.‘