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DRIVE TO DOUBLE OLDHAM'S DRUG VOLUNTEER WORKFORCE |
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Thursday, 30 March 2006 |
A drive was launched today to double the number of volunteers helping drug users in Oldham to beat their addictions.
A drive was launched today to double the number of volunteers helping drug users in Oldham to beat their addictions.
Oldham's drugs and alcohol action team (DAAT) is seeking 25 new recruits for unpaid, part-time role with its Widening Horizons project - bringing the total number to just over 50.
With record numbers of drug users being successfully identified and moved into treatment programmes the volunteers will be on the frontline of efforts to curb drug use in the borough.
Each will complete a 12-week training course leading to a nationally recognised qualification from the Open College Network (OCN) and will be asked to give between four and 10 hours of their time each week.
They will be involved in all aspects of helping drugs users to recover, including:
* Advising on daily tasks such as running a house on a budget and developing a healthy lifestyle
* Helping with paperwork for claiming benefits and other household form filling
* Supporting recovering users trying to get back into education or to find a job
* Collecting users from prison and supporting them through the rehabilitation process
* Answering calls to a 24-hour support helpline
* Managing two drop-in centres in Oldham
Kay French, the head of Oldham's DAAT, said:
"This is the biggest recruitment drive we have ever had for drug work volunteers in Oldham. The people who will be selected for the volunteer programme will be making an invaluable contribution to the borough, helping often vulnerable people turn their back on the misery of drug use and helping them rebuild their lives as useful members of society.
"A lot of our existing volunteers say they find the work incredibly rewarding and it is certainly no exaggeration to say that these people are heroes. It's the ideal preparation for anyone who wants a career in drugs services."
Official figures show that so far this year Oldham has treated more than 1250 drugs users since March 2005. New powers introduced by the Government in 2005 make it easier to identify people who are using illegal drug and get them into treatment.
The Widening Horizons project is managed by Alcohol and Drug Services (ADS). Project manager Steve Samuels from ADS said:
"The volunteers we have working with us already come from all walks of life and all ages - students, retired people, mums whose children are at school. The one thing they have in common is a bit of life experience and a willingness to help. That's all we ask. We will give our volunteers good quality, professional training and all the support they will need if they decide this is something they can commit to. We would be more than happy to talk to anyone who has any queries or just wants to find out more."
Anyone wanting to no more about volunteering for the Widening Horizons project can contact Steve Samuels at
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
or on 0161 624 9595 or 07815 093 540.
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