Working towards a brighter future in East Lancashire
Mon 12th Dec 2011
The Inspire partnership includes a dedicated employment team called Work Solutions that has continued to secure work and volunteering positions for people moving on from the service, in spite of the current challenges for people looking for work.
The services, which launched in April 2010, have had a big impact on the lives of people recovering from substance misuse in the region, bringing new opportunities for those who wish to move on from addiction.
Inspire recently recruited eight new staff to work at the service, three of whom were ex-service users, volunteers or peer mentors, who had used their own experience of recovery to help people who had recently started their journey.
Nichola Armitage, CRI Inspire Services Manager, said: “This is a real example of recovery working within Inspire and East Lancashire. The expansion of the Inspire team, through the employment of ex service users, volunteers and peer mentors have provided inspiration to our service users, whilst at the same time bringing a wealth of new knowledge and experience to the team.”
The Inspire partnership, run by the national charity CRI, together with Work Solutions and Acorn Treatment and Housing, provides recovery-focussed substance misuse services, for those experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol. The service was commissioned by Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (LDAAT).
Through Work Solutions, service users can access a combination of vocational and academic training, volunteering and motivational interviewing to develop the skills necessary to compete on the basis of their assets and strengths in the open job market.
Past service users have got jobs as engineers, revenue protection officers, support workers, customer service advisers, waitresses and safety stewards.
The support and guidance provided by CRI Recovery Workers, Acorn Facilitators and Work Solutions’ Employment and Training Consultants, has ensured that in spite of the reduced number of advertised local vacancies, securing employment after leaving treatment is still a realistic goal.
Ian Cole, National Resourcing Officer for G4S, said: “Our partnership with Work Solutions has enabled us to meet the volume of security staff needed throughout the North West. Our advisor has taken the time to understand the demands of our business, which enabled them to provide us with screened and trained candidates at short notice.”
Quote from Service User – anonymous "I spent two years looking for work on my own, without any success. With the help of my Inspire adviser I was offered a job as a Revenue Protection Officer with G4S after two weeks. I was given help with the application, preparation for the interview and the cost of getting there. Now I've got the job, my adviser is helping me to get organised before I start.”
David Vaughan, Service Manager for Work Solutions in the Inspire Partnership, said: "There is undoubtedly extra competition for every job at the moment but Inspire has demonstrated that a history of substance misuse need not prevent people from re-entering the labour market. By focusing on their strengths and assets, we are able to market people to employers as a valuable commodity that will enhance their business. For the employee, in addition to the financial benefits of working, the increase in their self-esteem and strengthening of their recovery is immeasurable.”
Inspire services run from bases in Accrington, Burnley, Clitheroe, Rawtenstall and Nelson.
For more information on the service please contact Nichola Armitage on 07507847630
ENDS
For more media information contact
Seema Khistaria, Tel: 07584 041008, Email: seema.khistaria@cri.org.uk
Notes to Editors
About Inspire
The Inspire project opened in April 2010. It is commissioned by Lancashire Drug & Alcohol Action Team and is provided in partnership with Work Solutions and Acorn Housing and Treatment. Inspire also works in partnership with a wide range of other organisations in the community in both the voluntary and statutory sector.
About CRI
CRI works with individuals, families and communities across England and Wales that are affected by drugs, alcohol, crime, homelessness, domestic abuse and antisocial behaviour. It provides support, treatment and rehabilitation programmes that promote recovery from drug and alcohol misuse and encourage individuals to maintain their recovery through engagement in positive activities such as employment, training or volunteering.
LDAAT is the body responsible for delivering the National Drug Strategy in Lancashire. It is a partnership of public and voluntary sector agencies working together to reduce the harm that substance misuse brings to the community.
To find out more about CRI, visit www.cri.org.uk
Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI) Registered Office: 3rd Floor, Tower Point, 44 North Road, Brighton BN1 1YR Registered Charity Number in England and Wales (1079327) and in Scotland (SC039861) Company Registration Number 3861209 (England and Wales)