Alcohol Focus Scotland manages several projects on behalf of the Scottish Government and other organisations.
Gender Issues Network on Alcohol project
Visit the GINA website
The Gender Issues Network on Alcohol (GINA) came into existence through a growing recognition of the increase in alcohol consumption amongst women and the associated health and social problems. GINA was launched in summer 2003 and came to an end in March 2010.
National Licensing Development Officer
Visit the Local Licensing Forums website
We host the National Licensing Officer post whose role it is to work with the local licensing forums across Scotland and promote best practice.
Community Action - Blackburn (Changing Attitudes to Alcohol) project
Visit the Blackburn project page
Community Action - Blackburn is part of the Community Action on Alcohol project being managed by Alcohol Focus Scotland and funded by The Robertson Trust.
Following a 3 month review, Blackburn in West Lothian was identified as having a range of social and economic conditions that pointed to it being the most suitable community within which to develop the Community Action on Alcohol project.
The aim of the project is to engage, assist and support the community in addressing concerns regarding alcohol, ultimately leading to improved health, family life, opportunities and a reduction in alcohol-related harm and anti social behaviour.
For more information on the project email Charlie Bryceland or call 0141 572 6704.
Service User Involvement Development project
Service User Involvement Project (PDF, 56kb)
Funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, this project aims to actively involve people with alcohol and drug problems in developing addictions services across the area.
What is service user involvement?
Service user involvement is the active participation of people who, because they have used services, can bring their knowledge & experience to contribute to the design, planning, delivery and evaluation of services at a local, regional & national level.
What does the SUIP do?
The Service User Involvement Partnership (Greater Glasgow & Clyde) provides a mechanism to ensure service user involvement in alcohol and drug services in Greater Glasgow & Clyde is effectively implemented.
The SUIP team works with service providers, service users, service planners and service commissioners to embed service user involvement structures and processes at a local level.
The SUIP team provide a menu of services, these include:
- Service User Involvement Capacity Building Training and Action Planning (for staff and service users)
- Network Development and Support
- Resource Development, promotion and management
- Support to local services and staff with a SUI remit
- Input to strategic policies or forums e.g. within ADP or CH(C)P areas.
In addition a SERIES of "tip-sheet" information guides have been developed by SUIP to help local drug and alcohol services with service user involvement. The tip sheets are quick reference guides to help services build the involvement of service users in the design and delivery of different aspects of the service they provide.
Subjects covered by the tip sheets are:
1. Preparing for an External SUI Audit
2. Involving Service Users in Service User Involvement (SUI) Group
3. Involving Service Users in Staff Recruitment
4. Conducting Service User Consultation
5. Service User Surveys and Questionnaires
6. Service User Peer Support
7. Conducting Service User Focus Groups
Work is underway on further tip sheets and we would advice checking back to our website regularly for new additions. We may also add to existing ones when required.
SUIP have developed these tip sheets in response to requests for advice and guidance on popular areas of involvement. As we get more requests we will try and meet that demand were possible and develop further tip sheets. We also provide these tip sheets through our practitioner's networks, linking with key staff and our capacity building training. So far these tip sheets have proven to be very popular.
Contact
For more information on the SUIP and to find out more about how we can help develop service user involvement in your service or locality, please contact:
Caroline Kessell, Development Manager on 0141 5726700 or by email at caroline.kessell@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
SNAPY (Scottish Network of Alcohol Practitioners for the Young) project
It is estimated that at least 65,000 children in Scotland are living with the effects of parental alcohol misuse. Two reports, the Scottish Executive's Hidden Harm - The Next Steps and Have We Got Our Priorities Right?, a Think Tank report published by the Aberlour Childcare Trust, identified that improved, earlier identification, better multi/inter-agency working and better informed practitioners will be key to improving these children's lives.
Alcohol Focus Scotland looked at how we could use our 'umbrella' status to help achieve positive change through supporting the enhancement of service provision to children and families living with alcohol problems, and this project, funded by Comic Relief, is the result.
SNAPY, which was launched with a conference on 3 March 2009, will allow for the sharing of good practice, skills and resources and the advancement of new and innovative approaches to service development when working with children and young people affected by alcohol misuse.
For more information on the project and to join the network email Gillian Bell or call 0141 572 6700.
Orion Practice Management Systems
Visit the Orion website
Orion Practice Management Systems develops software which offers data management solutions and IT consultancy services to organisations working in the field of substance misuse and mental health. Orion is part owned by and operates from within Alcohol Focus Scotland.