Change Step gathers pace with fund boost for military veterans across Wales

 

 

Thousands of armed forces veterans across Wales with mental health and substance misuse problems and the family members who often struggle to look after them will have a helping hand thanks to a more than £1.4 million government grant to an all-Wales service led by Llandudno-based drug and alcohol charity CAIS.

‘Change Step’, a peer mentoring service delivered by veterans for veterans since early this year, and ‘Listen In’, a sister service now being launched in North Wales to help family members and carers, have been awarded £995,918 and £434,659 respectively by the UK government’s Armed Forces Covenant LIBOR Fund.

Utilising the pan-Wales framework of the Drug and Alcohol Charities Wales (DACW) consortium, ‘Change Step’ peer mentors will work alongside CAIS in North Wales, Kaleidoscope in Gwent, TEDS in Rhondda Cynon Taf, WCADA in South Wales, Cyswllt Contact in West Wales, and Drugaid in Mid West Wales. ‘Listen In’ will be delivered by CAIS across North Wales in partnership with mental health charity Mind and the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW). Both services are funded from February 2014 for two years.

 

CAIS Chief Executive Clive Wolfendale said: “Change Step is already proving its worth in North Wales and we can now engage energetically with partner charities to roll-out the service across the whole of Wales to help those armed forces veterans who have given so much for their country but who now find themselves, for a variety of reasons, in distress.”

“Veterans can often feel misunderstood and that is why we take on well-motivated veterans as peer mentors because there is an instant connection between them because of their shared experience. Relatives and carers often feel they have no-one to turn to either, which is why we are delighted to be launching the new Listen In service too,” said Mr Wolfendale.

Mr Wolfendale added: “Veterans frequently miss out when it comes to getting the help and services they need, not least because they may have lost confidence in themselves and the society in which they live, and so partnership working between CAIS and other charitable and statutory sector providers will be crucial to the success of this project.”

Change Step is a CAIS-led peer mentoring, welfare and advice service for military veterans and others from the blue-light emergency services who want to make positive changes to their lives. It supports those seeking or needing help for mental health and psychosocial problems such as loneliness, anger, anxiety, confusion, distress, poor self-esteem and many other issues arising from trauma or extreme stress encountered during military or operational duty. The programme offers peer support, training and educational opportunities, as well as counselling and detoxification from drugs or alcohol where required. The programme is modelled on the Welsh Government’s ESF funded all Wales peer mentoring service.

Change Step already works collaboratively with the NHS’s All Wales Veterans Health and Wellbeing Service and the Royal British Legion to ensure a comprehensive and focused service for armed forces veterans. It will be working with Bangor University’s School of Lifelong Learning and the University of Chester’s Enablement and Holistic Care Project for veterans.

As Change Step rolls out across Wales during 2014, peer mentor veterans – all trained in peer mentoring to a minimum of BTEC Level 2 – can apply to take up paid posts as team leaders and go on to recruit a wider network of peer mentor volunteers, thus ensuring an increasingly comprehensive level of service delivery. Change Step aims to reach 4,000 veterans between 2014 and 2016.

Its sister service, Listen In, will provide a bespoke Mental Health First Aid Course for family members and carers of veterans, equipping them with the awareness and skills to recognise signs of mental distress in their loved ones and providing access to practical and emotional support.

Change Step programme director Geraint Jones said: “Listen In will provide family members with the knowledge and skills to recognise crisis at an early stage, act effectively to get the support they need, facilitate the recovery of their loved one and his or her integration back into civilian life and, equally importantly, manage their own health and well-being.”

Brigadier Gerhard Wheeler CBE, military patron to Change Step, said: “I understand all too well the challenges of life in the military and the problems many veterans encounter when re-entering civilian life. Veterans have pride in having served in the military and many find it difficult to ask for help, which is why Change Step works because veterans are helping their peers. I am delighted to be supporting this extremely worthwhile and necessary venture as it expands across Wales.”

Veterans wanting to access the service or wishing to apply to become peer mentors can contact Change Step on 0845 06 121 12.

Freeloaders

This week the British Medical Association made its clearest and most timely statement to date on the issue of Britain's alcoholism crisis:
 

"We cannot afford to keep spending millions of pounds in today's economic climate on mopping up the after-effects of an alcohol problem that the government should tackle with a greater emphasis on preventive measures."

In essence, the burden that mass alcoholism is placing on the NHS is unsustainable and is pushing our hospitals to breaking point and the medical establishment knows this full well. The government knows it too, as does the alcohol industry - the more powerful of the two lobbies and the one the government chose to back. This week the BMA called once again for minimum pricing on alcohol, a strategy proven to reduce alcohol related hospital admissions in Scotland and a 'crackdown on irresponsible marketing practices' (when one considers that alcohol is normally at the top of most harm indices, causes a million assaults per year, is connected to most cases of child abuse and neglect and sees a fifth of forty somethings admitted to the emergency wards annually, it's not too controversial to suggest that all marketing practices are irresponsible).

The reason for the BMA's concern were the shocking statistics released that show an addiction epidemic amongst 40-50 year olds; town centre binge drinkers place a burden of some £22 million a year on the NHS, but home drinkers in their 40's attend hospital so frequently that they drain £670 million from the public coffers.

Thinking about things in financial terms is of course revealing and it is useful in giving us a clue to the scale of the problem (one that is 30 times the size), but we should not let these costings distance us from the human beings at the centre of this tragedy.

The largest percentile of victims of the alcohol industry are poor, nearly 40 percent come from low income brackets and most appear to be home drinkers, able to engage in their addiction away from the challenges of social situations.

In this time of austerity, when public subsidies for libraries, sports centres and buses are being cut, the alcohol industry curiously seems to be exempt from such belt tightening measures and still has one enormous tax-payer funded system to assist its operations; the NHS.

Most businesses that generate harmful waste products in the pursuit of profit or who pollute are legally obliged to clean up their messes or are levied green taxes to pay for their impact on the environment, not the drinks industry though. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill cost 11 lives and about $50bn for BP. What price the thousands of lives lost each year in Britain to alcohol abuse?

The alcohol industry privatises the profits from their activities and socialises the costs for the rest of us to pay, financially and spiritually.

 If the alcohol industry were ever forced to pay its way and to contribute to paying for the damage it caused it would collapse, an indication that the costs of alcohol far outweigh the benefits accrued to private business or society.

 Wynford Ellis Owen

CEO Living Room Cardiff

We are all perfectly imperfect

Last week the global news media was fixated with the story of Brian Jones, a bus driver from Solihull who was dismissed from his job after it was revealed he had taken crack cocaine, was drunk at the wheel and clearly had sex addiction issues due to his frequent use of prostitutes. At the same time an obscure bank clerk from Reading, Mrs Andrea Smith, revealed that she had bought cocaine and enjoyed a weekend bender in Manchester. Except it wasn’t.

These two fictional stories are composites of real ones, stories of ordinary men and women whose lives are wrecked by addiction, day in day out. The narrative of fall from grace, disgrace and public shaming is too commonplace, too mundane, too familiar and everyday for the newspapers, TV and internet to bother publicising, except when a high profile politician or public figure is involved.

The Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, has given the media some wonderful material to work with, appearing at once to be both a buffoon and psychopath and even worse, publicly funded but, in many ways, the story of his British counterpart Paul Flowers is even more perfect for the tabloid press.

Mr. Flowers, former Chairman of the Cooperative Bank, has had to resign and face police investigation after it was revealed that during his tenure at the loss making bank he was purchasing cocaine and other substances. He was not only a Methodist Minister, but the trustee of a drugs charity, and in the eyes of our ever judgmental media (who are, as a profession beyond reproach in matters of substance abuse of course), a cardinal sin has been committed. Mr. Flowers was no doubt meant to occupy some saintly position, untainted by addiction, the title of minister conferred unto him seems also to have come with the presumption by everyone else of infallibility. The suggestion is also implicit from  news reports that have circulated about his fall from grace that the Cooperative Bank would be operating at a profit were it not for his nefarious vices. Maybe it would, it’s almost impossible to say for sure, but the reason for this letter is not so much about either Ford or Flowers, but our collective response of surprise and shock when we learn that the rich and powerful are out of control.

When we see other lives out of control such as city centre street drinkers, most of us barely register their presence, but they are every bit as human and in distress as the damaged people who all too often have access to the levers of power. It is understandably difficult to extend our human compassion and understanding to the most vulnerable and damaged victims of addiction who we encounter on a day to day basis, but equally it becomes increasingly challenging to show compassion to high profile victims too.

Despite their disagreeable antics in high office, both men Ford and Flowers are as human, as flawed, as likely to feel sorrow and loneliness as the rest of us; both men are very ill with addiction and completely lost, having to make sense of a whirlwind of chaos in the full glare of the media spotlight.
We have come to assume that our leaders are less human than us, that these wizards of public affairs, finance and administration can work some special kind of magic that we mortals are not privy to, and our societies will continue to function in a generally normal and secure way. What these two examples suggest is that within the corridors of political, financial and bureaucratic power, there are probably as many damaged, addicted, frightened and lonely people as there are within the population at large. We therefore need more than ever to have a frank and honest open discussion about addiction in our society, one that transcends our tabloids, taboos, secrets and shame.

Wynford Ellis Owen
Chief Executive
Living Room Cardiff
58 Richmond Road
Cardiff
CF24 3AT
Wynford.owen@cais.org.uk
www.livingroom-cardiff@cais.org.uk

**New** Volunteer opportunities and training placements in catering and hospitality

Do you have time to give, to help a local charity?
- or -
Do you want to expand your CV?
- or -
Do you want work experience and training?

If you answered ‘YES’, then read on! 

  
CAIS offers volunteer opportunities and training placements in catering and hospitality.  Please find attached details of our open evening on Weds 27th November at 41 & 43 Station Road, Colwyn Bay.
 

Want to know more?
Come along to our open evening, see one of the placements first hand and chat to one of the team about the opportunities we can offer.

 

We’ll be serving complementary hot drinks and cakes  -  so that we’ve got enough, please let us know if you think you can come!

 

If you can’t make it, but would like more information, please call Fran Parry on 01492 523040, and she’ll be pleased to help you.

 

To look at the poster please click here

Oes gennych chi amser i’w roi er mwyn helpu elusen lleol?
-neu-
Ydych chi awydd ehangu eich CV?
-neu-
Ydych chi eisiau profiad gwaith ac hyfforddiant?

Os mai ‘YDW’ yw’r ateb yna darllenwch ymlaen! 

 

Mae CAIS yn cynnig cyfleoedd gwirfoddoli ac hyfforddiant yn y meysydd arlwyo a lletygarwch. Ynghlwm mae manylion ein noson agored ni sy’n cael ei gynnal ar ddydd Mercher 27 Tachwedd yn 41 & 43 Heol yr Orsaf, Bae Colwyn.
 
Ydych chi eisiau gwybod mwy?
Yna dewch draw i’r noson agored er mwyn gweld un o’r cyfleoedd eich hunan a chael sgwrs gydag un o’r tîm am y cyfleoedd y gallwn ni gynnig.

 

Byddwn yn gweini diodydd poeth a chacennau yn rhad ac am ddim felly er mwyn sicrhau fod gyda ni ddigon i bawb a fyddech cystal a rhoi gwybod i ni o flaen llaw eich bod yn dymuno dod!

 

Os na allwch chi fod yno ond eich bod yn dymuno cael mwy o wybodaeth yna ffoniwch Fran Parry  01492 523040 ac mi fydd hi mwy na bodlon i’ch cynorthwyo chi.

    

CAIS and Living Room Cardiff embark on new phase in their development

Following a meeting of its trustees, Living Room Cardiff, the major community-based recovery centre for Cardiff and south Wales, has agreed to merge with north Wales-based CAIS Drug and Rehabilitation North Wales and Powys to create one of Wales’ largest addiction therapy providers.

 Living Room Cardiff, which was first established in 2011, will become a part of the CAIS charity and will remain at its Cardiff location under the stewardship of its Chief Executive, Wynford Ellis Owen.

 CAIS is a registered charity and leading voluntary sector provider of personal support services in Wales. It helps people who are having problems with addictions, mental health, personal development and employment - as well as offering assistance and information to their families and friends.

 Its wide range of services includes residential treatment and rehabilitation, counselling, peer mentoring, supporting people in their homes, assisting people back into work or education, group work and other motivational interventions.

 The Living Room Cardiff has an ‘all addictions’ approach and welcomes anyone who needs support in taking that first step towards recovery or wanting to maintain their on- going recovery. The Living Room Cardiff also welcomes and provides advice and support for family members, partners and friends of people who have been affected by these addictions.

 Clive Wolfendale, CAIS Chief Executive said, “We are delighted to be working with the Living Room under this merger agreement.  We share a very similar vision and ethos.  Most of all, I believe together we can bring real energy and creativity to the cause of rehabilitation in Wales.”

 Wynford Ellis Owen, added, “This is an exciting day for the Living Room Cardiff. It provides us with a solid platform to move forward and deliver our groundbreaking approach to recovery treatment, but also by joining forces with CAIS we can both work together, each with its own remit, to tackle the growing problem of addiction on an all-Wales basis for the first time.

 “The new structure enables us to build on our successes over the past few years and help even more people to recover from addiction and rebuild normal, productive lifestyles, in the belief that people can and do change.”

 For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen at Cambrensis Communications on 029 20 257075 or Rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com

The Change Step Triathlon

EX-SOLDIERS took on a gruelling triathlon in the hope of helping armed forces veterans struggling with civilian life.

Veterans Gary Davies, Phil Williams, Ronnie Devlin, Richard Davies and Dave Nolan all took part in the event which is fundraising for the project Change Step, a support service for ex- military servicemen and women.

Gary, 42, and Phil, 41, both from Bangor cycled 150 miles across North Wales last week whilst Ronnie, 46, and Dave, 29, both from Prestatyn were accompanied by Richard, 40, from Rhyl on their 50 mile walk. The guys marched from Llangollen to Prestatyn along the Offa’s Dyke path and Clwydian hills.

Change Step is a project run by charity CAIS in which trained ex-soldiers offer support to other veterans suffering with problems such as substance misuse or post traumatic stress disorder, as many veterans struggle to readapt to civilian life after leaving service.

Cyclist Phil Williams, 41, served as a team leader and sniper with the First Battalion Welsh Guards between 1988 and 1993 and was proud of the lads’ achievement.

“It was tiring but it was good fun. I kept setting myself little challenges every day,” he said.

”The worst hill climb was on the last day between Wrexham and Coed Poeth, it just kept going and going. I think all the lads are proud as it was for a good cause.”

He added: “Change Step provides a service like no other, it’s a service for ex-service men run by veterans themselves.”

The triathlon, which started Monday, finished with a swimming relay event at the Nova Centre in Prestatyn on Thursday. Barclays’ Ben Copeland of the Rhyl branch also took part in the swim and volunteer Mervyn Jones from Llanrwst joined the final part of the walk.

The cycle ride passed through Bangor, Caernarfon, Pwllheli, Porthmadog, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Bala, Corwen, Llangollen, Wrexham, Ruthin, Denbigh and Prestatyn.

Geraint Jones is the Change Step project manager at CAIS and explained why the service is needed.

“Many ex-servicemen and women struggle without the camaraderie they experienced in the armed forces once they leave, especially after they’ve served in combat,” he said.

“This combined with substance misuse problems together with post-traumatic stress disorder can make it very difficult for people to find their place in society once they’ve left the military which can lead to spiralling problems

 “Change Step is a fantastic project. Many veterans have given everything for their country but struggle once they leave. We are here now to support those who need it.

“This was a fantastic effort by all the lads and I want to congratulate them on their real hard work.”

Carl Borum, 53, has run the Tudor Lodge in Porthmadog with his wife Anja since 2006. The couple, who provided accommodation for the cyclists, have two grown up children who have served in the forces. Samantha, 26, serves in the Royal Navy and Robin, 24, served until recently as a Royal Marine.

“We are supporting this as we know the pressures the military are under,” he said.

“The veterans are coming out into a different world and there is no major support. My son has toured Afghanistan and he has suffered trauma. He’s stayed on the straight and narrow but I understand how it can affect people.”

The event, which was match-funded through Barclays, was supported by several businesses including the Tudor Lodge in Porthmadog, The Wynnstay Arms Hotel Wrexham, The Plas Coch Hotel Bala, Halfords in Bangor and the Nova Centre in Prestatyn.

 

To donate to Change Step please visit www.justgiving.com/changestep

For more information about Change Step contact 0845 06 121 12, or log onto www.cais.co.uk

Anyone wishing to donate can log onto www.justgiving.com/Changestep

Parabl Talking Therapies Launch

We are delighted to invite you to join us for the official launch of the new Parabl Talking Therapies service, also marking World Mental Health Day, on 10^th October 2013.  This service is commissioned by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and provided by a consortium of charities, providing short term therapeutic interventions for those with common mental health difficulties or challenging life events which may be impacting on their emotional wellbeing.

 The event will provide an opportunity to gain an overview of Parabl, and also to hear from partners delivering the programme and from clients who have already received the service.

 The launch will take place at 9.30 a.m. on Thursday 10^th October 2013, at Conwy Business Centre, Junction Way, Llandudno Junction LL31 9XX, and will conclude with a complimentary buffet lunch.

 We do hope you will be able to join us for this event, and look forward to seeing you there.

Please RSVP by 26^th September, by emailing rosemary.hunter@cais.co.uk or calling 01492 863007.

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 Mae’n bleser gennym eich gwahodd i lansio gwasanaeth newydd Therapïau Siarad Parabl yn swyddogol, a hynny hefyd ar Ddiwrnod Iechyd Meddwl y Byd, 10^fed Hydref 2013. Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr sy’n comisiynu’r gwasanaeth hwn, ac mae’n cael ei ddarparu gan gonsortiwm o elusennau sy’n darparu ymyriadau therapiwtig tymor byr ar gyfer y rheini sydd ag anawsterau iechyd meddwl cyffredin neu heriau yn eu bywydau a all fod yn effeithio ar eu lles emosiynol.

Bydd y digwyddiad yn gyfle i daro golwg gyffredinol ar Parabl a chlywed gan y partneriaid sy’n cyflwyno’r rhaglen, a chleientiaid sydd eisoes wedi derbyn y gwasanaeth.

Caiff y gwasanaeth ei lansio am 9.30am ar ddydd Iau 10^fed Hydref 2013, yng Nghanolfan Fusnes Conwy, Lôn y Gyffordd, Cyffordd Llandudno LL31 9XX, a bydd cinio bwffe am ddim ar gael ar y diwedd.

Atodir eich gwahoddiad ffurfiol, yn ogystal â thaflen sy'n disgrifio’r hyn y gall Parabl ei gynnig.  

A fyddech cystal ag anfon eich ateb erbyn 26^ain Medi drwy anfon neges e-bost at rosemary.hunter@cais.co.uk neu ffonio 01492 863007.