Worcestershire is a mostly well-off county, but there are big health gaps in its poorer areas. Life expectancy is lower there, and there are over 2,000 opiate and crack users. Only about half of the drug users get help from community treatment services. Dr. Lisa McNally, Worcestershire’s Director of Public Health, says it’s crucial to reach out to these socially excluded individuals to help the whole community.
To tackle this, Worcestershire has come up with a new service model, designed by public and voluntary sector partners, service users, providers, and commissioners. A big part of this is peer delivery, where volunteers with lived experience help others as ‘recovery champions’. The PACKS project (peer assisted community and knowledge), run by Cranstoun Worcestershire, involves volunteers who are still in treatment. These volunteers use their trusted connections to reach people who might not usually get support.
The PACKS volunteers give harm reduction advice, hand out naloxone kits, and connect people to other support services. They get ongoing support and training, which boosts their self-esteem and gives them new skills.
The project has made a big difference, with 1,259 naloxone kits handed out in the first year, and at least five kits used to save lives. The initiative focuses on the recovery and development of the volunteers, creating a unique link between peers and clinical services.
For support, or to find out more about the Drug and Alcohol treatment services offered by Cranstoun, visit https://cranstoun.org/help-and-advice/alcohol-other-drugs/worcestershire/
