In a time of an unprecedented national increase in drug related deaths across both England and Scotland, Bradford finds itself in limited company as the only area in West Yorkshire (and one of very few in the UK) where drug related deaths have decreased. This same time frame has also seen the inception of the Naloxone Take-Home Kit programme, a project where Naloxone (a drug that reverses opiate overdose) has been given out to service users, family members, staff working in related industry and others.

June’s Volunteer Team of the month …it’s Tina!

First of all, a massive thank you to Tina for all the support she offers to service users in the Vault, and at Unity Recovery Centre.

The number of hours given by Tina over the last 12 months is 192!

Tina provides reflexology and meditation sessions on a Monday and Friday. These sessions help people:

• With relaxation, and promoting good sleep
• Reduce stress
• Improve concentration
• Increase self awareness, and increase positive emotions

A message from service users who have benefited from Tina’s sessions:

 “I have to say I was very sceptical about reflexology. The best way I could describe it is I had this ‘out of this world’ sensation and I found after reflexology I felt relaxed and very calm. I would recommend it to anyone”

“Over my recovery journey, from putting drugs down, to reducing meds, to living life I have gone to Tina to help to relax. The meditation and reflexology has now become a massive part of my recovery. Tina goes above and beyond for anyone who meets her and she is a wonderful, compassionate person.”

A message from Joe, Team Manager:

“Tina has been with us for many years now, probably the longest standing volunteer we have, and thanks to her commitment we have been able to deliver innovative and valuable additional support interventions to those using the services at Bridge. At a time when the value of alternative therapies had not yet fully been recognised in treatment services we were offering many types to our service users thanks to Tina. She has been a one-woman team since before I began working at Bridge, nearly 4 years ago, and her contribution and dedication has been second to none. Thanking Tina does not seem enough but hopefully it will go some way to demonstrate how valuable she is to our service and those who come through our doors.”

May’s volunteer team of the month is The Vault Volunteers!

First of all, a massive thank you to our volunteers Jez, Jade, Sam, Kyra, Grennie, Jackie, Donna, Roy, Dave M, Jamie and Mark who have all given their time and passion to The Vault over the last three months. A big thank you also to Emma, Bryan, Rebecca, Faye, Michaela, Michelle, Farzana, Allison, Tracy, Jade, Ollie, Catherine and Nigel  who volunteered last year.

Number of hours given by volunteers to support the running of The Vault over the last 12 months: 4798!

The role of a volunteer in The Vault is to:

• Be the first point of contact for people coming into the Vault café and groups
• Support the running of the café, planning the menu and preparing and serving food and drinks
• Promote recovery activities and be a positive role model, spending time going through the recovery activity guide with new and existing attendees
• Support group facilitation and participate in group delivery where appropriate
• Signpost individuals as needed to internal staff and services

What has been the impact of Vault volunteers?

• In simple terms, volunteers have kept the vault open and running!!!
• Individuals accessing the vault are supported and mentored, access recovery services and make hugely positive changes to their life – impacting on them holistically – health, wellbeing, finance, self belief, ambitions…the list is endless!
• The vault really shows the power of people coming together as a recovery community, there is such a sense of belonging.

A message from Tony Gibson, Recovery Activities Coordinator :

“No words would do these volunteers justice, they are all stars in their own roles. The passion and commitment to supporting The Vault and its members is lovely to see.  It is privilege to have them on the team and I am grateful for the time they give.  I want to say a great big thank you to you all.”

A message from Joe Kean, Team Manager:

“I couldn’t be more proud of the service that we run in The Vault. Many places in the country talk about recovering communities but few are as active and visible as the one we have here in Bradford and, in particular, in The Vault. This simply would not be possible without the volunteers who are the glue that hold the place together; stepping in when needed and providing much more than just a café service – superbly welcoming attitude, dedicated, kind, thoughtful, professional and supportive of the ethos and practice that we all strive to achieve here at Bridge.”

…At the Bridge Project, based in Bradford, staff had experienced success in running a benzodiazepine withdrawal service for the past seven years, targeting patients in primary health care and GP practices.‘Doing that kind of work in primary care, we were also coming across a great deal of patients addicted to prescribed painkillers as well,’ says Royle. As with the benzos, ‘these patients are never going to roll up at an addiction treatment service on the high street – but that doesn’t mean that there’s not tens of thousands of them out there, people who’d say “I’ve never been near an illegal drug in my life”…

Read the full article in Drink and Drug News here.

Trainee Recovery Practitioner Lisa Batty has spoken exclusively to  the BBC about her past experience of motherhood in addiction.

In her brave interview, Lisa explains how the fear of having children taken away can prevent pregnant women from seeking help to treat their addiction.

Chief Executive Jon Royle comments on a recent report on the decriminalisation of drug use in the Telegraph and Argus.

Speaking to the T and A Jon Royle said “Decriminalisation, legalisation and prohibition of drugs

Chief Executive Jon Royle comments on public concerns over drug use in the Telegraph and Argus.

He urged those experiencing substance misuse to contact The Bridge Project for support. Speaking to the T and A, Jon said

We are delighted to announce that The Bridge Project has been chosen to take over the support and development of The Space for people who have experienced drug/alcohol addiction and/or mental ill health.

Bridge CEO, Jon Royle, writes:

“Bridge is delighted and honoured to be chosen by the Multiple Choice Trustees, Staff and Space Recovery Community as the preferred organisation to take forward the legacy of the Charity.