Pushing Against An Open Door

1. Pushing Against An Open Door . Colin McAllister ~ Southampton Drug Action Team

2. Welcome to Southampton

3. The Bridge Open Access Service • Drop in “open door” • Volunteers - B2V • SHARP – Harm reduction, NEx, assertive outreach

4. Excellent Multi-Agency work, referral pathways Think Family, PSL. Waiting times to receive substitute prescribing are between 2 to 3 days and are often shorter Substitute prescribing clinics/ Responsive Keyworking Art group for service users Sports group Daily acupuncture Open Access

5. Bridge2Volunteering (B2V) • 3 years • Recruited and trained 137 volunteers • 36 have gained employment • 37 have entered into ongoing education • 26 have entered into volunteering at other agencies

6. B2V Currently • 42 volunteers • 20% are from the BME community • 85% are ex-substance users, ex-service users and/or have previously been involved in the criminal justice system.

7. B2V • The recruitment process involves • an application form • a half hour interview • 2 days training - covering 10 core subjects • After 20 hours volunteering a further day of training is required - covering 4 more subjects. • After 50 hours volunteering volunteers can apply to gain further training and extend their duties. These opportunities include: • 5 days training for Auricular Acupuncture, • 2 ½ days training for the Harm Reduction unit (SHaRP), and • ½ day training for the DIP/DRR program • Another 10 diverse courses including Mental Health, Lone Working, Stress Management, First Aid, and Hampshire’s first Drug specific NVQ Level 3.

8. B2V • Meeting and Greeting in open access service • Peer Mentoring • Administration Assistance • Facilitate Auricular Acupuncture and Art groups • Support staff and service users on home visits, prison pick ups and rehab visits • SHARP

9. SHARPSouthampton Harm Reduction Partnership The project came online in 2009 and consists of two components An outreach Team and harm reduction team.

10. SHARPSouthampton Harm Reduction Partnership The outreach team offers clients; • A free and confidential service • Advice and information on accessing the right service • Appointments in a location away from drug services including your home. • Advocacy and support into treatment services. • Drop ins @ Day centres • Pathway Work with Hospital A&E/ Pharmacy • Client Re-engagement

11. SHARPSouthampton Harm Reduction Partnership Who is suitable? • Anyone who is resident in Southampton and feels they may have a drug problem and wants some support and guidance in accessing help. • Any agency, organisation or individual can approach the outreach team for support and information; It is there to support the local community.

12. SHARPSouthampton Harm Reduction Partnership Harm Reduction • HRU offers a range of services from wound care, inoculation programmes and health care assessments, injecting advice and techniques, to the latest harm reduction tools. • There is also a mobile unit which attends hostels and community centres, areas where pharmacy needle exchanges geographically do not offer coverage, clients with disabilities and sex workers. • Supports NEx in Southampton Street Hostel • We use volunteers for day time work and partner agencies for evening work i.e SWWP

13. Southampton DAT • Naloxone Pilot • Think Family • Drug Litter • …………………….

14. Pushing Against An Open Door Thank You colin.mcallister@southampton.gov.uk