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Former prisoners who have successfully beaten drugs and alcohol are to be trained as coaches to help whole families tackle addiction together in Salford.

Salford City Council has won £100,000 in government funding to train up to 30 ‘family recovery coaches’ to help addicts break the habit and stop their children going on to misuse drink, drugs and other substances.
The coaches will include a handful of former prisoners as well as former addicts who have not spent time in prison. All participants understand what damage substance misuse can do and the impact it can have on children and the family.

It’s the first time support has been focused on the whole family which could not only change lives and futures but also save billions for the public sector. It’s estimated that one heroin or crack cocaine user alone costs society between £550,000 and £950,000 over their lifetime in health, care, crime and loss of potential earnings. And children of addicts are more at risk of developing problems, further adding to the cost.

Councillor Lisa Stone, assistant mayor for health and wellbeing, said: “This is about supporting people who have recently left prison or are about to be released and who have started to tackle their addiction while inside. The coaches will work with them and the whole family to help them all stay away from drink or drugs and rebuild their lives together.

“Children in families where addiction is a problem can be more at risk of suffering emotional and mental health difficulties both now and in the future. They’re more likely to turn to drink, drugs and other substances themselves to help them cope, more at risk of getting into trouble with the law and less likely to get a good education to help them get good jobs later in life. We need to break that link and we can do that by supporting the whole family.

“We’ve already got a strong network of people who have recovered from addiction and are now keen to help others. Training them as coaches will help give them new skills and confidence and could transform many, many lives.”

Salford City Council will commission Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMW) through the new Achieve Salford Recovery service to run two 10-week coaching training courses for coaches.

The funding will also pay for a ‘five step’ training programme for 150 professionals to help them work with families and to share resources and learning so training is available free in the future. It will also fund the development of an on-line map of support services, ranging from community groups to public sector services and continued recovery support to help groups and individuals get training or even buy clothes, tools and equipment to get back into work.

Steve Simmons, Operational Manager, Achieve Salford Recovery Services said: “Achieve recognises that, for many, recovering from addiction involves the support of others in recovery as well as family and loved ones. Our programmes will focus on further developing the skills and experience that exists in the community and families in Salford to support themselves and others in the process of recovery.

“This will further our chances of assisting ex-offenders and families in the crucial period on release from prison to rebuild their lives and break free of addiction that has driven many people to offend in the first place. We are seeking to further strengthen the vibrant recovery community in a city where more and more people are proving every day that it is possible achieve a better life, free of addiction.”

Tags:
Salford
Principle 7 – Care for community
Principle 5 – Education, Training and Information
Addiction
Alcohol
Drugs

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