A new integrated drug and alcohol service that will expand the reach of support available to residents across Bristol launched today (1st April).
Health and social care provider, Turning Point, has been awarded the contract by Bristol City Council to lead Horizons: Bristol’s Drug & Alcohol Partnership in partnership with Bristol Drugs Project (BDP) and seven other local organisations: The Nelson Trust, Hawkspring, One 25, Southmead Development Trust, Southmead Project, Wellspring Settlement, and Release.
Turning Point and BDP will combine their expertise in reducing the harm associated with substance use and providing high quality drug and alcohol treatment, with specialist interventions provided by their partner organisations, to offer a wide range of services under one umbrella.
Over the past few months, the partners have engaged with over 300 people in the community to understand what they want from a new drug and alcohol partnership brand in Bristol. A new website www.horizonsbristol.co.uk, along with a single number to call – 0300 555 1469, together provide a single point of access for anyone in Bristol who is looking for information or support relating to drugs and alcohol.
Through this service, Bristol residents will have access to support whether they want to stop using drugs and alcohol entirely, reduce their use, or learn how to be safer. The team will provide a wide range of healthcare interventions and counselling, as well as advice and support related to employment and housing.
Dedicated teams will be available to support women involved in sex work, people who have experienced trauma, clients in contact with the criminal justice system, people who are homeless and friends and family members of people struggling with substance use.
The Horizons youth team will be dedicated to working with young people who want support, information, or advice about drugs or alcohol.
Nat Travis, national head of service for substance use at Turning Point, said, ‘We are excited to build on the work drug and alcohol service providers have done to support people in Bristol.
‘For over 60 years, Turning Point has embraced clinically led, evidence-based support that gives our service users a pathway to recover from substance use.
‘We look forward to working with BDP and our seven other local partners to deliver a more equitable service that supports people to make positive changes to their lives and improve their health and well-being.’
There will be a new city centre hub at No. 10 Brunswick Square, next door to BDP’s existing base at No. 11, with service hubs also located at the Greenway Centre on Doncaster Road, and on Symes Avenue in Hartcliffe. Each hub will be expanded so that all services are available at each location.
Horizons are also working to finalise satellite locations where some services will be delivered at specific times.
Everyone supported by Horizons will have access to the full range of interventions from day one. This will mean that programmes such as needle exchange, which is currently only available in the city centre, will be available at all service hubs.
Within the first six months of the contract, the full range of clinical interventions, such as wound care, vaccinations, and blood-borne viruses (BBV) testing, will also be available at all service hubs.
This blog was originally published by Turning Point. You can read the original post here.
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