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This year is my first service user conference
. Being based in head office means
that I don’t get to see many service users, and so I’m really looking forward to
this as an opportunity to see the people that Aquarius is all about.
Everyone’s looking really friendly as they start to arrive. A few people seem to
have come not knowing anyone else but next time I’ve looked up they’re chatting
away happily. One of the things I read about last year’s SU conference was that it
was good for people to meet up with other people in the same situation as them,
and I can certainly see that ‘common ground’ factor.
I’m surprised to not see that many older people here – the vast majority are
young or middle aged. Alcohol misuse in older people is so under-reported. As we
get ready to start, Aquarius staff are chatting away to service users – I can see a
lot of good and obviously developed relationships. Chief executive Annette
Fleming makes a very thoughtful and down to earth speech about the
importance of events such as this to celebrate what service users have achieved
so far, as well as bringing hope by seeing what others have done.
Three service users give their stories on struggles with alcohol, gambling and
drugs. I knew this stuff happens, but to see people bravely struggling through
the pain of reliving their past is something else. Tears held back by deep,
controlled breaths; an obviously painful experience that is visibly a great
milestone for each speaker.
Powerful poetry and strong statements are used by the speakers to express
themselves and their feelings – it’s remarkable to see creativity crafted so
eloquently to put into words years of despair.
Some of their quotes stuck with me:
‘Alcohol can lead to dark places, but we can overcome this for a better life.’
‘My doctor saved my life several times, and never gave up on me – even though
he probably should have several times.’
‘After the first year, not drinking gets easier and easier – I can assure everyone here.’
‘Before, when I was drinking, at times I didn’t know who I was or where I was.’
‘There are doors in the mind that are just too painful to open.’
‘Stopping drinking is hard, but not as hard as keeping on drinking.’
Later Shaheen Choudry gives a great talk on BME communities that weren’t
accessing alcohol services and Nita, a community champion, helps to identify
what events are going on so people can see Aquarius there.
During question time someone asks about the biggest changes at Aquarius
over the past few years. David Millard, chair of trustees, talks about the new
environment of tendering, which is very competitive – we’ve gained and lost
projects. Service user meetings have become an important part of forming
partnerships – clients can teach us. He says that there’s always another step to
the journey and that’s what we’re here for.
Annette Fleming says the organisation has grown because we’ve got a more
diverse range of skills and experience. She says it’s important that people know
that if they feel they need to come back to Aquarius, they can. We want to
always be welcoming – it’s as simple as that.
Lucy Seymour-Smith is communications officer at Aquarius, www.aquarius.org.uk
REAL
May 2013 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 15
Training |
Alcohol
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
Keeping it
TRAINING AT THE BAR
As the Swanswell Inn opens for business on a Monday
morning in Birmingham, it becomes obvious that this is
no ordinary pub. The mobile mock-up has been created
as a training facility for businesses to understand how
alcohol and drugs can affect people in the workplace,
and how they can tackle problems effectively.
‘Recent statistics suggest that work stress is now
the biggest factor driving people in Britain to alcohol
and drugs,’ says Swanswell’s talent development
manager, Sharon Smyth. ‘Just over half of adults polled
by charity Mind said they drank after work, with one in
seven admitting to drinking in the day, so it’s not
surprising that sickness absence caused by alcohol
misuse is costing UK businesses around £6.4bn a year.’
The charity’s training gives anyone with a
responsibility for workforce welfare an opportunity
to learn skills and ask questions so they can apply
their knowledge to real life situations.
‘Employers often have problems identifying
potential substance misuse and knowing how to
support team members affected by it,’ says Smyth.
‘Initial conversations can be tough to start, so it’s
important such situations are approached
sensitively and backed up with facts.’
www.swanswell.org
Lucy Seymour-Smith
recently attended
Aquarius’s service user conference as a new
recruit to the alcohol charity’s team. Here she
shares her first impressions of the event