Love

Respect

Tribute

Support

Love

LoveLove

RespectRespectRespect

Tribute

Support

MemoryMemory

MemoryMemory

TributeTribute

Support

Support

This newsletter is led, produced and edited by service users. Any factual/clinical information included in this newsletter comes from referenced sources.

South Staffordshire and Shropshire HealthcareNHS Foundation Trust

South Staffordshire andShropshire Healthcare

NHS Foundation Trust

adults andcommunities

ac

Ending dependency, transforming lives

working in partnership with service users

C A R E S E R V I C E

FREE

THE MAGAZINE BY SERVICE USERS FOR SERVICE USERS

IN T

HIS

ISSU

E...

Rac

e fo

r life

/

Inte

r age

ncy

foot

ball r

esul

ts! /

Gar

deni

ng a

nd a

llotm

ents

! / J

ohn’

s bl

og / B

RF

Info

rmat

ion

/ S

UG

AR

info

rmat

ion

/ C

arer

s se

ctio

n /

Hea

lth &

wel

lbei

ng /

The

ni

ce to

do

list /

Poe

try / R

eal li

fe s

torie

s /

Dat

es o

f int

eres

t / C

onta

ct d

etai

ls o

f pe

ople

who

can

hel

p /

Wor

d se

arch

& M

UC

H, M

UC

H M

OR

E!

ISSUE 1.

Special Event for

International Remembrance Day

Love

Respect

Tribute

Support

Love

LoveLove

RespectRespectRespect

Tribute

Support

MemoryMemory

MemoryMemory

TributeTribute

Support

Support

Come along to our commemorative BBQ to remember loved ones and celebrate those who are tackling their drug and alcohol use.We are inviting you, your friends and family to come along and join in the activities which include:

Paying tribute to someone you’ve • lost on our symbolic ‘branch’ tree

Listen to service users’ •poems and readings

Hear stories of strength and hope•

Meet new people•

Share experiences•

At Summer Hill House,

18-21

Summerhill Terrace,

Ladywood, Birmingham

B1

3RA

Thurs 21st July

11am-2pm

At Summer Hill House,

18-21

Summerhill Terrace,

Ladywood, Birmingham

B1

3RA

Thurs 21st July

11am-2pm

BBQ & refreshments provided. Children are welcome to come along.

for more info call: 0121 465 4930

Race for LifeOn 18th May 2011 a group of well-intentioned SUGAR and BDAAT would be keep fit fanatics went to Cannon Hill Park to take part in the ‘Race for Life’.Once we parked on the official car park, no one said it would be a half mile walk to the start of the race but we soldiered on.

We were joined by other friends from inclusion and Addaction and patiently awaited the start. Following an energetic warm up to the zumba, the eager entrants had to have a rest before the main event began.

Joining over 2000 others the race began, with our ‘team’ soon making up ground. A blistering 17 minutes later the first participant came past

the finishing line, not bad for 5km.

The first of our group to finish was Christine from Inclusion in 44min. Most of our team finished the race in under an hour, which was a great achievement.

The supporters gave all a resounding cheer and a good time

was had by all.

Well done to all who took part in the ‘Race for Life’ and the monies they raised.

Let’s see if we can be bigger and better next year.

PAGE 2

Editors CommentsWelcome to the first edition of the Birmingham Service User and Carer magazine. Although it looks like it has been named ‘SUGAR’, in fact this is just a temporary name for the magazine. Further down you will see how you can be part of this exciting new magazine, we are offering £40 in Love2Shop vouchers for the best name suggested for the magazine, details below.

Inside this peer-led magazine you will find powerful service user and carer stories; information about recent and future events; useful and informative information about Birmingham’s treatment and support options and much more. It has taken what seems like a lifetime to get to this point and the creation is the culmination of hard work by service users and carers across Birmingham.

In September 2010 the Birmingham Drug and Alcohol Action Team (BDAAT) reflected on their User Involvement provision and came to realise that it was very limited. BDAAT took the decision to enhance the service user and carer provision by bringing together a group of service users who were interested in the development of involvement, which they like to now call ‘active participation’.

Following four months of hard work, the first ‘Birmingham Recovery Forum’ (BRF) was attended by about 35 service users who took ownership and led on its future direction. Once the steering group was not needed, it was dissolved with a view to creating a pan-Birmingham User and Carer Involvement Team.

This team, now called ‘SUGAR’ (Service User Group About Recovery) has in the few months of its existence assisted in the continual growth and development of BRF, which now has an average attendance of 60 members; set up multiple events, including Carers Day (Pampering Sessions), International Remembrance Day, World Drugs Day – City Bus Tour (in partnership with BDAAT); and created this magazine which is only part of the ever growing ‘recovery movement’ happening in Birmingham.

We hope you enjoy the very first edition of this magazine, created ‘by service users and carers for service users and carers’.

If you wish to contribute an article or story; information or poem; recipe or anything you think has relevance to the service user and carer community, then please email hob.brsuf@nhs.net with the subject ‘newsletter’ or phone the SUGAR Involvement Team on 0121 465 4936.

CompetitionTo win the £40 Love2Shop vouchers please email your suggestion for the name of the Service User and Carer magazine to hob.brsuf@nhs.net with the subject ‘newsletter competition’ along with your reasons why you think your entry should be the winner. Alternatively send your entry to: SUGAR Involvement Team, Summer Hill House, 18-21 Summerhill Terrace, Ladywood, Birmingham, B1 3RA. Closing date for competition entries is Friday 26th August 2011.

If you have any questions regarding the competition or would like to know more about how to become involved then you can phone the SUGAR Involvement Team on 0121 465 4936.

BRF and SUGAR

‘Recovery is Sweet’

PAGE 3

Jayne’s StoryI grew up with alcohol & drug taking from a very young age.I was around 6 years old when I became affected by my mums drinking.

She would come home from the pub emotional & upset. I would instantly start to feel like I had to help my mum, possibly heal her. (this was to go on for years) she would play one particular record called “where’s your mama gone” my mom always promised she was going to leave us.

This being myself (oldest) sister and two younger brothers. I was in charge of them and my mom. I became the head carer of the family. I was obsessed with my mom leaving. The more my mom drank the more violent she became If I overcooked potatoes or meat, didn’t clean floors or make beds properly. Looker after my siblings properly she would beat me.

She always had hangovers which made my mom horrendous of a morning. I dreaded my mom combing my hair. The pain was excruciating, I would cry, silently as, if she saw or heard me crying she would beat me for it. I always dreaded going home after school. If I heard her arguing with my abusive violent step dad I would fill with great fear. My heart

would pound. Id do anything to stay away from any responsibility concerning our household.

I never had any peace of mind, even at night while sleeping, my parents would wake me to ask why didn’t I clean under the

cooker or fridge properly as my step dad would plant matchsticks to see if I had swept and mopped. It reminded me of the film Freddie Kruger, cuz even when you slept, there was no escape!

To this day I never have a full nights sleep without waking at least twice.

Johns’s blog: hhtp://wiredin.org.uk/member/profile/3095

My life story There came a point in my life where I found myself at a complete standstill. I had no beer, no money and I was desperate for a fag, completely isolated from the outside world. The only people I mixed with were other people in the same situation as me, if not worse. I was in a hostel; I had somehow managed to gain the title of ‘alcoholic’. I was a successful medical professional, with a nice house, car and a new born son. Then, right before my eyes this was all taken away from me. This was all due to my excessive drinking behavior. I found it harder and harder to hold down a job, and even harder to hold onto my wife and infant son. Having tried several times to stop drinking with no professional help, I sought help from several treatment units. None of these attempts worked and I eventually came to terms with the knowledge that I would always be a waste of space. I made a choice to try and change one last try. I approached Aquarius and screamed out for help. I was referred to Park House Birmingham, a residential treatment unit. On the 1st February 2011, I was admitted and the team there managed to give me back my self-confidence and something else that I had lost many years ago. My self esteem. And my personality.

Jayne

John

PAGE 4

SUGAR (Service User Groups About Recovery), has developed from the organic growth of Service User Involvement within Birmingham.

and created this magazine which is only part of the ever growing ‘recovery movement’ happening in Birmingham.SUGAR is very much ‘integrated partnership working’ at it’s best. Not only does it incorporate all service user and carer groups across Birmingham, but also works in partnership now with providers and generic services. User Involvement or ‘Active Participation’ is now integral to all BDAAT processes including ‘Treatment Redesign’ as well as contributing to Executive reports before they are received by the Joint Commissioning Group (JCG) - the stakeholders that ratify all decisions regarding treatment provision in Birmingham.SUGAR has achieved a huge amount, but none of this would have been possible without the partnership that is SUGAR and BDAAT. If you would like to contact SUGAR: Please call the Involvement Team on 0121 465 4936 or go to www.bdaat.co.uk/involvement Alternatively call Mark Spooner on 07540668594 – mark.spooner@nhs.net.For further information on the Birmingham Recovery Forum (BRF) – see page 15.We would just like to thank everyone who has been part of this exciting journey: including all members of the SUGAR team; everyone at Birmingham Recovery Forum; everyone who contributes to the running of all Service User Groups and Mutual Aid Group across Birmingham; all interested and participatory workers and services; all of you who have taken the step to ride the wave that is ‘Recovery’ ; and last but definitely not least, Sarah Feeley, Acting Involvement Team Leader and Parveen Akhtar, Strategic Lead, BDAAT without whose support and genuine belief in User Involvement / Active Participation / Integrated Partnership Working, none of this could have happened.

In September 2010 the Birmingham Drug and Alcohol Action Team (BDAAT) reflected on their User Involvement provision and came to realise that it was almost non-existent. BDAAT took the decision to enhance the service user and carer provision by bringing together a group of service users who were known to be enthusiastic and passionate about the development of involvement, which they like to now call ‘active participation’. From a group of four service users who first met in November 2010, a steering group was created with the express purpose of developing a forum for service users and carers. The steering group had support from BDAAT (who provided meeting rooms; admin support; access to offices; and other assistance where sought) throughout the entire development and implementation process, and the steering group quickly grew into a team of fifteen service users and carers whose membership represents the diverse service user groups within drugs, alcohol and carers across the whole of Birmingham.Following four months of hard work, the first ‘Birmingham Recovery Forum’ (BRF) was attended by about 35 service users who took ownership and led on its future direction. Once the steering group was not needed, it was dissolved with a view to creating a pan-Birmingham User and Carer Involvement Team. This team, now called ‘SUGAR’ (Service User Group About Recovery) has in the few months of its existence assisted in the continual growth and development of BRF, which now has an average attendance of 60 members; set up multiple events, including Carers Day (Pampering Sessions), International Remembrance Day, World Drugs Day – City Bus Tour (in partnership with BDAAT);

PAGE 5

Visions! I saw your vision upon the wall, Because you’re the fairest of them all, But when your vision disappears, My heart fills up with love and tears. By Dean O’Connor.

After Leaving Detox John Paul Gill-Barron After leaving/finishing detox at Park House I found myself in a huge and scary world. I had become accustomed to the world as we know it with a drunken mind. But now seeing it with a sober mind for the first time in many years. I began to feel a huge Wow factor coming on.It seemed that everywhere I turned, I could see alcohol – in shops, on TV, bill boards and even strangers chatting on the bus/train. The whole world seemed obsessed with Alcohol.

It seemed to take me days to be able to adjust and focus on what I had set out to do each day without coming across Alcohol and experiencing some form of craving. It took me even longer to be able to cope with these cravings.

John

Practical Steps we can take following Detox and/or Rehab:•FindsupportgroupssuchasSMART,POINTS,NICSorNA/AA/CA •ReferyourselftoAftercare •Getinvolved(BRF/SUGAR–seearticlesinthismagazine)

For help on taking any of these steps please call the SUGAR Involvement Team on 0121 465 4936.

‘Recovery is Sweet!’

PAGE 6

Inter Agency Football Results 2011 (Sam Marsh A-Team)Friday 6th May saw the second A-Team football tournament take place and more importantly a day for networking and making new friends.

The day was a great success with nearly 200 people from different agencies able to meet and mingle while watching the action with many individuals able to form

contacts and hopefully a better understanding of agencies and the work they undertake.

The day was organised to bring service providers together to get to know each other and enable partnership working.

It was a cracking turnout and a good day was had by all, hope to see everyone there again next year! (Funding permitted) A big thank you goes out to all those who attended.

Link to A Teams article and pictures: http://www.alcoholservices-ateam.org.uk

The sun sparkled as 12 teams from drug and alcohol treatment services as well as service user groups kicked off the inter-agency football tournament 2011.

Four groups of three teams battled it out on the pitch and eventually a winner from each group was able to contest the semi finals. A big thank you is given to all those players who filled in for teams who were short of players.

In a really tight game the tournament hosts, the A-Team just scraped past Swanswell B team for a place in the final.

They were joined by Start-Again who narrowly beat Sifa A in the other semi final following a nail biting penalty shoot out that went through to sudden death.

With everybody relaxed after the buffet a repeat of last years final took place between the A-Team and Start-Again.

Two tired teams battled out the final, the score was tied at 3-3 at full time and so a penalty shoot out took place where the A-team managed to win.

Before a F.A investigation is launched, it should be noted that the A-Team had a little help from SMART and Turning Point for which we are extremely grateful.

Birmingham’s Primary Care,Alcohol & Healthy Living Service

PAGE 7

My SonYou came into our lives in 1976, the first time we saw you we new we would love as our own forever, with you, your dad, sister and I we now a complete family. Son you were so loved and such a happy bonny baby, sleeping well at night, sat up early walked at 10 months so very bright and loved so much.

When you were about 8 or 9 you started to play football and joined a local football team, played in goal and was a dam good keeper, as you got older you got chosen for the district and then the county, The next few years were such happy years, we took you and your friends to all your games to support you, you seemed to be getting on well at school, we went to all your parents meetings, you dad was on the PTA and put a lot of input into the school.

The last year of primary school we were told you were 2 years behind, we were devastated, why hadn’t they picked it up earlier, you then moved schools. At your new school you got on with every one, you a very likable young man, so good at all sports you won so many different cup for different sports for your school.

So when things start to change? I don’t know, your dad and I had ground rules you had to be in on time and we had to know were you were going.

You were now 18 in and out of job not really knowing what you wanted to do, drinking and then the drugs came on the seen, you kept getting into debt with banks and shops, we tried so hard to keep you straight clearing debt after debt. At the age of 21 because of drink or

drugs you cut your right arm very badly and had to have major operation and no more football.

We were still clearing your debt and keeping you and no job, I looking back now I see so many things we should have done differently, but we love you unconditionally, the years rolled by and thing didn’t change or get better, in and out of jobs still drinking and drugs.

You then met a new girl, you set up home together, your dad and I furnished it and decorated it, it was now your partners turn to deal with you don’t doubt that you both loved each other, but it wasn’t enough for you still drinking and taking drugs. Over the next few years you had your two little boys so beautiful, when your first son was born I said to your dad am frightened of loving this grandchild like or other three grandchildren because I will get hurt, but

of course I did fall in love with him deeply and his baby brother. But through you I don’t see them now,

there mother is trying so hard to keep your relationship with your sons going, they just adore you

but you keep letting them down.

Now it Jan 2011, 15 months on my own with out your dad, trying to deal

with ever think in clouding you, I have had a deep look at the last 20 year and see all that you have done, the last 15 months are the worst, you been my son should have been looking after me and try and make my life a little better but you don’t, every think you have done in your life have been your decision hurting so many people, you have stole from me, lied and cheated me just to get money for you fuel your habits.

STAR STORY

WINNER OF

VOUCHER£20

PAGE 8

I have now made a decide I want no more to do with you, I want you out of my life, I will never forgive you for all the pain and hurt you have caused me. The list could goon for ever, but three things will always stick in my mind, your dad ring which I wanted you to have, I had it altered for you the next day you pawned it, I had to pay to get it back, then you stole it from my house and pawned it yet again, now have the ring, you will never get it. The second thing just three weeks be for your dad died, you came to our house asking for money when we said no you started to get very nasty, I throw you out, how could you do this when you know how ill your dad was and only a short time left. The third thing is your two son, one of the things have to come to terms with I wont see them growing up, I love those two little boys but through you they wont be in my life.

This is were we are now 12 Jan 11, hope this year I can start getting some think into my life as your dad gave me life, with the most wonderful gift, one of his kidney just 18 months before I lost him. I wish the years could have been different, but they can’t be changes, only the future, get help please, get your life back on track for me your son and mostly for your self.

I do still love that boy I once knew. Mom

Carers Groups for Family and Friends of Substance UsersAre you concerned about someone’s drug use? Are you supporting someone to make a change in their drug use?Aquarius Family Service provide groups so that carers of substance users can meet each other, offer each other support and share ideas.

We currently have groups available in Edgbaston, Highgate & Washwood Heath.

If you would like to meet other carers at any of these groups please contact us for dates and times of these groups. We have groups that run in the daytime and evening.

We are also looking to set up other carers groups around Birmingham so if you would like a group in your local area please get in touch with us.

Ask for Mags, Ed, Suleman, Diane or Richard Aquarius Family Service Tel. 0121 414 0888

Birmingham Carers CentreThe Carers Centre operates from 09.00-17.00, Mon-Fri, the doors open to the public between 9.30-16.30.

The carers telephone helpline 0121 675 8000 is open from 10:00-16:45, after hours please leave a message and someone will call you back within 24hrs.

Call: the Carers Helpline on: 0121 675 8000

Visit: the Birmingham Carers Centre, 130 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 3AP

Email: helpline@birminghamcarerscentre.org.uk

Attend one of our special events: For more info on http://www.birminghamcarerscentre.org.uk/

In partnership with:

South Staffordshire and Shropshire HealthcareNHS Foundation Trust

South Staffordshire andShropshire Healthcare

NHS Foundation Trust

adults andcommunities

ac

Ending dependency, transforming lives

working in partnership with service users

PAGE 9

The ground floor has a cafe hub with purpose built kitchen; and various rooms / offices (including conference room where we hold the Birmingham Recovery Forum). One of the offices has been given over to the service user and carer contingent for user involvement / active participation / integrated partnership working. Already the office and conference facilities are being used by Birmingham Recovery Forum, SUGAR, POINTS and Norman Imlah Care Service (NICS) which are all peer-led initiatives.

One of the many events being held at Summer Hill House is the Carers Pamper Day on Saturday 18th June (during Carers Week). This has been hosted by BRF and SUGAR in partnership with BDAAT.

It was identified that the huge garden at the rear of the garden was completely overgrown, full of weeds and would take a lot of work to become a garden to be proud of.

At BRF it was asked if anyone there would like to ‘have a go’ at starting the work before the carers event. Two volunteers came forward, Tarlochan Singh Birdi aka ‘Birdi’ (SUGAR member) and Ben Hartwell (BRF member).

Who would ever have guessed what they could have achieved in just two days of sheer hard physical labour and a vision second to none.

Marvel at the Gardening SupermenSummer Hill House is finally here incorporating 27 purpose built flat-lets for those individuals who have successfully completed detox / rehab and who are abstinent.

After ...AFTER

BEFORE... before...

The pictures speak for themselves, but next time you are at Summer Hill House, please go take a look at the expanse that is the rear garden and marvel that two individuals in recovery could do so much in such short a time and with such a small window of opportunity.

Congratulations to Birdi and Ben for their dedication and hard work!!

South Staffordshire and Shropshire HealthcareNHS Foundation Trust

South Staffordshire andShropshire Healthcare

NHS Foundation Trust

adults andcommunities

ac

Ending dependency, transforming lives

working in partnership with service users

PAGE 10

Paul Humphries Story I stopped smoking & injecting heroin & crack about 3+ years ago, and although I’ve always drank a lot since stopping the drugs, my drinking has spiralled out of control & replaced everything else. I still take 80ml methadone everyday as I’ve done for a long time, but it’s the drink that’s had the biggest impact on my health, so much so my liver and kidneys are in a bad way.Two years ago I started thinking about life before drugs and all those bad years & all the shit I’ve put my family through. I suggested to my dad we start going out fishing again like we used to do when I was younger! In fact it was about the time I started down the wrong path at 14 years I lost interest! At first I think I was just thinking about going, but I kept asking & he said OK lets go. Since then we’ve been going every week between May – Sept & its been great! Getting out & about, seeing the countryside, enjoying the good weather & most of all catching some big fish! But most important its shown me I can enjoy life without drink and drugs! Again!

With you!When you and

I are far apart,

Can a friend mend a br

oken heart.

I need you, yes I real

ly do,

Sleep is sweet and so

are you.

All you are, is a bloomi

ng rose,

Night is here, so I mu

st close.

With care, read the fi

rst word of every lin

e,

You will there a quest

ion find.

...AFTER

before...

By Dean O’Connor.

STAR POEM

WINNER OF

VOUCHER£20

PAGE 11

Park House Allotment ProgrammePark House in conjunction with Inclusion Community Drug Team (CDT) and DATUS have successfully secured two allotments in Northfield Birmingham for the use of service users of these services (and potentially other stable individuals from other services).We have started this spring to develop the sites after securing project funding from the Birmingham Drug Alcohol Action Team & National Treatment Agency (NTA).

The programme will allow service users to contribute to a community project as part of their treatment, carrying out normal everyday tasks that are hugely rewarding and enjoyable. Participants will have the chance to learn new skills in organic horticulture, learning about growing food from seed to plate. The food will then become part of a ‘Healthy Eating – the cheap & easy way’ programme with service users learning ‘3 ingredient cooking life skills’ and good nutrition.

Service users are involved in all aspects of the allotment from the initial design and layout of the plot, through planning, implementation, propagation, harvesting, preparing and eating the produce grown. Vegetables grown are to be used for cooking at the centre with any surplus being sold locally.

‘Surplus’ crops can now be sold and there are many possible outlets for this, for example we are planning to run a farmers market crop share stall which sells allotment surplus. This will become part of the Park House and Community Drug Team (CDT) ‘employability programme teaching business and entrepreneurial skills; giving employment tasters with the aim to give a starting hand for service user businesses.

Other initiatives will include supplying organisations such as Jamie Olivers 15 restaurant and other community groups.

The allotment is designed and maintained using Permaculture techniques and is an organic system.

Permaculture is a creative approach to

designing landscapes that work with nature rather than against it. Permaculture seeks to create beautiful living systems that provide food (and other essentials) for people in sustainable ways. Permaculture is based on 3 founding principles of Earth Care, Fair Share and People Care and these principles underpin all design decisions. It combines age-old indigenous wisdom with new insights emerging from movements for sustainability around the world. Permaculture is a dynamic, eclectic, and creative discipline being used all over the world.

Marcus Parsons & Eleanor Hoard

PAGE 12

The Difference I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day; I had so much to accomplish, I didn’t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me and grew heavier with each task; Why doesn’t God help me, I wondered; He answered, “You didn’t ask”.

I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, gray and bleak; I wondered why God didn’t show me - He said, “But you didn’t seek”.

I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock; God gently and lovingly chided, “My child, you didn’t knock”.

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day; I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

by Grace L. Naessens

Debbie’s Den We’ve run two Debbie’s Den events where service users can pitch their ideas for new services or new ways of doing things to a Swanswell panel including Debbie Bannigan, Swanswell CEO, a Swanswell Director and two Swanswell service users. Several good ideas are being worked on at the moment. One idea three service users pitched to Debbie is a football project to help them get fit and well. This idea is being developed further with the aim of helping service users keep fit as well as forming a football team.

Social Enterprise Swanswell has set up a social enterprise scheme where service users have been trained to become therapists in several complementary therapies including auricular acupuncture, massage and Reiki. Swanswell is assisting the therapists to take up contracts to deliver complementary therapies to local businesses and workplaces. These individuals could ultimately set up their own business.

Get Involved There are a number of different ways service users can get involved with Swanswell. If service users are currently accessing treatment or support from Swanswell, they can speak to their worker and find out how to get involved. If someone has previously been involved with Swanswell services and their treatment is complete, they can still contact us and come along to a service user involvement meeting.

We value our service user’s contribution and we know that it improves the work that we do and is of benefit to current and future service users. There are other meetings that take place at Swanswell including staff and service users that people can come along to and events where VIP visitors meet staff and service users.

If you, or someone you know, would like to find out more, ask a Swanswell worker or please call Stephen Cox on 0121 233 7400 or email stephen.cox@swanswell.org

Stephen Cox Service User Engagement Worker

PAGE 13

The nice to do list...Take a 10-30 minute walk every •day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.Sit in silence for a least 10 minutes •each day. Buy a lock if you have to.Record late night tv programmes •and get more sleep.When you wake up in the morning •complete the following statement, “My purpose is to ‘x’ today”.Live with the 3 E’s—Energy, •Enthusiasm, and Empathy.Play more games and read more •books than you did in 2010.

Health & well-being Make time to practice meditation, yoga, •tai chi, and a prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.Spend time with people over the •age of 70 and under the age of 6.Dream more while you are awake.•Eat more foods that grow on trees •and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.Clear clutter from your house, your •car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.Try to make at least three •people smile each day.

PAGE 14

Health & well-being Birmingham Recovery ForumInformation Article - Birmingham Recovery Forum (BRF) is a meeting place for individuals who have, or have had, substance misuse issues including illicit drugs, alcohol, legal highs and over the counter / prescription medicines. It is equally a place for carers, relatives and concerned others.

drug and alcohol use will only be tackled effectively in partnership and through a cohesive and co-ordinated multi-agency approach to the issue. In other words, we encourage all services within the treatment system to work together, as well as the wide array of generic services that operate within the Birmingham area.Service User Involvement in Birmingham also follows this integrated approach by encouraging all service user groups and service user representatives from all services to be part of the pan-Birmingham Involvement Team (SUGAR). This has been successful in that the current team represents a great proportion of this diverse group and is consistently growing.We believe in the fundamental right of drug / alcohol users and their carers to be treated equally, non-judgementally and with dignity and respect.For further information or to contact the Birmingham Recovery Forum you can email us on hob.brsuf@nhs.net or text RECOVERY to 07540668594. If you prefer to phone then please call Mark Spooner on 07540668594 or the Involvement Team on 0121 465 4936.It’s held on the last Wed of every month 11am-2pm. Light refreshments provided and travel expenses reimbursed. BRF is held at Summer Hill House, 18-21 Summerhill Terrace, Ladywood, Birmingham, B1 3RA. The forum is open to all current service users, which includes those who have recently left treatment and those who may not have yet engaged with treatment. It is also open to any carers, relatives or concerned others. ‘Recovery is Sweet’

The forum is solely owned and directed by it’s members therefore making it interesting, relevant, transparent and inclusive. Although there exists a pan-Birmingham Involvement Team called ‘SUGAR’ – Service User Groups About Recovery (see SUGAR article) , the function of this group, in respect of the forum, is only to facilitate it’s smooth running according to the will of it’s members.There are many functions that the forum provides including: Sharing of knowledge and experience (There are no better individuals than Service Users / Carers who have the experience, knowledge and understanding of addiction and the treatment system). Promoting groups and events (There are a vast number of Service User Groups, Peer Support, Mutual Aid, Aftercare and events around Birmingham. It is not always easy to find the right one. The forum attempts to be a central hub from which all groups and events, relevant to Service Users and Carers, can be highlighted).• Effective consultation • Raising Issues • Networking • Training • Invited Speakers • Much more besidesThe forum is supported financially by the BDAAT but is completely independent from it. However we aim to work in partnership with the BDAAT and all stakeholders towards the common goal of achieving an effective treatment system and recovery from addiction for all who want this.The forum maintains that there is no single solution to Birmingham’s complex substance problem. We believe that

PAGE 15

PHONE

Dates in diaryBirmingham Recovery

Forum dates:

July 27th, August 31st, September

28th, October 26th, November 30th, &

December 28th

at: Summer Hill House, 23

Summerhill terrace, Ladywood.

BDAAT Carer’s Day:

18th June 10am-2pm

at: Sumer Hill House, 23

Summerhill terrace, Ladywood.

World Drugs Day: 22nd-25th June. A bus will be travelling

around Birmingham hotspots

at: Sparkhill, Hodgehill, Nechells/

Aston and Weoley Castle.

International Remembrance Day:

Thurs 21st July 11am-2pm

at: Summer Hill House, 18-21

Summerhill Terrace, Ladywood,

Birmingham B1 3RA.

NotesNEXT ISSUE:

Norman Imlah Care •

Service (NICS)

Interviews with David •

Skidmore from NTA and

Nicola Benge, Chair of JCG

Nice to do list continued•

More stories & articles•

• Single Point of Contact (SPOC): 0800 0730817 For any questions about drugs / alcohol treatment and referrals

• SUGAR Involvement Team: 0121 465 4936• Norman Imlah Care Service: 0121 465 4936• Aquarius Family Service: 0121 414 0888 • POINTS: 0121 675 8004

ACHIEVEMENT AFRAID

CONFUSED CONSCIOUS

N D R D O E J D S A A A HI D E S U F N O C R R C UL S E S A D D Y Y H E H UD O O T S R E D N U S I MI R N C A E S M U P S E TA R D E D L R O Y U D V SR Y T N L I O T O R A E RF H A P P Y L I S C N M UA O G E L I C V V I T E DX N X U U S C A R E D N EE H T G N E R T S P T T IS T V O D Y R E V O C E RE X C I T E D D V H D E T

Coffee Break!Wordsearch!

JOY

LONELY

MISUNDERST

OOD

MOTIVATED

RECOVERY

SAD SCARED SORR

Y

STRENGTH

UPSET

VIOLATED

DISTRESSED EXCITED GUILTY HAPPY HOPE

NUM3ERS