Change Grow Live

Nitazenes are made in labs and mimic the effects of natural opioids such as heroin. They are often hundreds of times stronger than heroin and at least as potent as fentanyl. Nitazenes have been found in heroin but also in other drugs such as benzos. They are known to have led to accidental overdoses and deaths of people across the country. To help keep yourself and others safe: - Be aware that drugs may look the same, even if they are contaminated with nitazenes. - Be extra cautious about the sources you get your drugs from, and about the drugs you are taking. - Ask for nitazene testing strips from your nearest Change Grow Live service or use the testing service available at www.wedinos.org. - Always carry naloxone, it could save someone’s life. For more information about nitazenes, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/emQtfw-h

What is good practice when working with women in drug and alcohol treatment services??? Join the Collective Voice Women’s Treatment Working Group (WTWG) for their International Women’s Day webinar. The presentations will focus on: - Harm reduction and accessibility – how we can improve access and respond more effectively to women’s needs - Learning from online services – exploring learning and examples from webchat services - How we can and are playing a role in accelerating action – examples from the sector and what the WTWG is doing next The webinar will take place on Teams this Friday 14th March from 12:00 – 13:15. Sign up here ?? https://lnkd.in/egG7i42B

This International Women’s Day we want to highlight the amazing work that women in our services are doing to tackle women’s health inequalities. In our Aspire Recovery Service in Peterborough, Luci Weir is leading the Empowering Women Everywhere project to support some of the country’s most vulnerable women. The outreach clinic, Wildflowers, is a safe, non-judgmental space for women, led by women. It helps them to access a range of services to support with their sexual health, physical and mental health, with a trauma-informed approach. Read more about the EWE Project and the Wildflowers clinic on our website: https://lnkd.in/eA9pCQfd

On Wednesday evening, we were part of a 'drop in' session in Parliament held to inform MPs about #alcohol and other #drugs and the work of treatment and recovery services to reduce harm and improve people's wellbeing, for individuals, their families and friends, and whole communities. It was great to see a range of organisations - including Change Grow Live, Emerging Futures CIC, The Forward Trust, Phoenix Futures, Turning Point, Via, Waythrough, WithYou - all working together to make this case. A real highlight was hearing from Lewis Atkinson MP about his experience working in treatment services, and reflections on how the field has developed in recent years.

The Kitchen Table Café is a place where staff members and volunteers sit together with people who use the services and those in recovery. Joined by family members and people from the local community, all share stories and ideas. Run by our Halton Service, The Kitchen Table Café started off as a breakfast club to support people who were struggling to make ends meet. Since then, the café has grown and now provides a three-course meal every Friday, has its own football team, and runs regular games nights and other activities. “Often, due to stigma people are treated disdainfully and ignored. It was important to me that it wasn't just about the food. It was about the treatment, being waited on and being welcomed – being treated like human beings again.” - Tony Clarke, Recovery Coordinator and Café Lead. Read more about this incredible initiative: https://lnkd.in/eSSP7znS

Together with members of Collective Voice, we’re hosting an event to discuss the vital role drug and alcohol services play in delivering the government’s Plan for Change, generously sponsored by Grahame Morris M.P. Join people with lived experience, leading charities and experts to hear compelling personal stories and evidence-based insights about the range of support services in local communities and their importance in delivering the government’s vision for change in the coming years. The event will take place at the UK Parliament Committee Room 21 from 5pm – 7pm next Wednesday 26th February. Join us to drive real, lasting progress across Britain. Please email [email protected] for further details and to register your attendance.

“I was very nervous – what if somebody sees me that I know, and then goes around telling the community?” Stigma and shame can prevent people from seeking treatment. Aisha explains how she overcame this with the support of her recovery worker – and why she’s speaking out to help others: https://lnkd.in/emXtfXag

Change Grow Live is calling for continued investment in drug and alcohol treatment services. Every pound invested in these services delivers extraordinary returns: saving lives, reducing crime, easing NHS pressures, and breaking cycles of disadvantage. We know that drug and alcohol services: - Deliver value for money - Help keep people economically active - Break down barriers to opportunity - Make our streets safer - Ease pressure on an already strained NHS Disinvestment would undo hard earned progress at the worst possible moment. The case for continued investment has never been clearer. https://lnkd.in/ejpEY-N4

As part of National HIV Testing week, we want to raise awareness of the World Health Organization’s international goal of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030, and how we’re helping to support this. Between 2023 – 2024, we tested 37,870 people for blood borne viruses. These tests detect Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV and are free for anyone who uses our services. Read more about the global strategic direction for HIV/AIDS: https://lnkd.in/eBCmw95N

Kevin Ruddock, Services Manager in our Coventry service, has reflected on how Black and minority ethnic communities are still facing barriers and experiencing a lack of understanding around substance misuse. Working in partnership with Byron from Settlement Support, he shares how the Community Champions initiative is helping to bridge the gap between local communities and Change Grow Live.?