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.

******************************************************************************

 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.

Volunteer shaving hair off for CAIS

 

A GRANDMOTHER will shave her head to raise funds for CAIS.

Mandy Evans says she will let her hairdresser give her a buzz cut for the cause which is close to her heart.

Mandy, of Manley Road, Smithfield in Wrexham plans to lop off her locks on Thursday, September 19 at CAIS’ King Street building in her home town.

Mum Mandy has a daughter Leah, 36, and two sons, Tom, 21 and Joe, 19.  The 59-year-old is also a grandma to Aiyana, seven, but is determined to go ahead with the clipper cut despite concerns from some of her children.

“The shortest hair I’ve ever had was in the 80s when I was a punk and had it all spiked up,” she said.

“I’ve been a mod and a rocker and I’ve had my hair really long as well,

but this will be the most extreme haircut I’ve ever had.

“It’s a really good charity, my youngest son Joe is really up for me doing this. But I think my daughter will think I’m crazy and my eldest son will be embarrassed.”

Mandy, who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Wrexham, said she believed in CAIS’ work.

“I’m not that active as I’m disabled and I can’t do a parachute jump, although I’ve done it in the past,” said Mandy.

“So over the summer I’ve been thinking of what I can I do for CAIS as it’s a great charity.”

If you want to sponsor Mandy contact her on 01978 313856, or go to her Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/mandy-evans1

Discounted training courses

CAIS Learning and Development Team still have some spaces left on their courses between now and Christmas, take advantage of their latest offers!

• September – Late deal  20% off all courses
• Book before 1st October 2013 and get 20% off

To view our special deals please select a month:

 

September

October

November/December

 

CAIS Learning and Development Team have the experience and expertise to develop a training course or programme to suit your organisations specific needs.  This training can be delivered at a venue of your choice at a time that suits you.

 

CAIS Learning and Development Team also offers a range of workshops on Drug and Alcohol Awareness that can be tailored to your requirements.  These can range from half day, full day or two day sessions depending on what your organisation needs.

 

Training topics include:

• Drug and Alcohol Awareness (Introduction and Intermediate)

• Motivational Interviewing

• Basic Substance Awareness

• Personal and Professional Boundaries

• Equality and Diversity

• Introduction to Behavioural (Process) Addictions

• New and Emerging Drugs Awareness

• Substance Misuse and Housing

• Substance Misuse and Young People

• Substance Misuse and the Elderly

• Substance Misuse and the effects on the Family

Organisations who wish to obtain training for their staff should contact the CAIS Learning and Development Department direct for further information here.

 

Meet the CAIS lions - Football Team

CAIS Lions are preparing to play their first football match this October.

 

 

The team will play North Wales Dragons at Colwyn Bay Football Club on Sunday, October 20 with a kick-off scheduled for 2pm.

 

The Lions are also holding a charity auction at the Llanelian Road club after the game. The auction will include Premiership tickets and other luxury surprises up for grabs.

 

All the funds raised will be donated to Change Step, the armed forces veterans’ project. North Wales Dragons, a charity team, will be collecting for their own cause on the day.

 

 CAIS fundraising officer Richard Evans was excited about the match,  “I can’t wait. We’ve already got our kit thanks to a sponsorship deal with Cartrefi Conwy. The shirts look fantastic,” he said.

 

“The team will play several games over the course of the year and I’m hoping to put on a really special game in the future. But already we’ve got local opposition lined up. Training starts this month. It’s a charity match but that doesn’t mean it’s not competitive, so I want to put up a good show.”

 

 Anyone interested in playing can contact Richard on 01492 863005, or email richard.evans@cais.co.uk

 

 CAIS Lions VS North Wales Dragons, kick-off 2pm, Sunday, October 20 at Colwyn Bay Football Club. The charity auction will start at around 4pm after the game in the clubhouse.

 

 Entrance is free but spectators can make a donation.

Cartrefi Conwy annual fun day

Yesterday CAIS had a number of stands at the Cartrefi Conwy annual fun day. Hundreds of people from across north Wales attended the event which was held at Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay.

Caffi CAIS provided hot drinks, snacks and homemade cakes to the hungry residents and the Caffi's new Jams and Chutneys proved very popular with the guests.

Staff from the training department, peer mentoring team and employment services talked to residents about the variety of services Cais offer whilst Charlie from Don't Touch Tell entertained children with a puppet show which promotes keep safe messages with regards to drugs.

If you would like to find out more about the range of services that Cais offer please call 0845 06 121 12.

Change Step Triathlon

 

The Change Step Triathlon

 

If you would like to support the Change Step team please click here to donate online

In September, Change Step personnel will stage a ‘triathlon’ during which volunteers will be cycling, walking and swimming. Three cyclists - all ex-military - will be notching-up 150-plus miles around key centres of population across North Wales, and another three will be walking north from Llangollen to Prestatyn along the Offa’s Dyke path as it snakes its way along the chain of Clwydian hills. All participants will then swim in relays at the Nova Centre in Prestatyn, where a reception committee and media event is being planned.
 

What we are raising money for

All funds raised from the triathlon will go towards training ex-military personnel to become peer mentors who in turn can use their own experiences to help others in a similar situation.

 

About Change Step
Change Step is a CAIS led peer mentoring and advice service for military veterans and others with post traumatic stress disorder or probable substance misuse issues who want to make positive changes to their lives. The service is delivered by veterans for veterans and aims to support those seeking help for problems encountered as a result of military or operational duty. The programme will offer peer support and training opportunities, as well as counselling and detoxification from drugs or alcohol where required.

 Email: ask@change-step.co.uk
 Phone: 0845 06 121 12 & quote ‘Change Step’

 

 

 

Halloween BBQ - Tickets for Sale

CAIS have recently appointed a new Fundraising Officer. Richard Evans joined our team in May and has been busy organising a variety of fundraising activates to help raise need much needed funds for Change Step. Change Step is a new Scheme that aims to help military veterans with PTSD and/or substance misuse.

“Did you know that more British soldiers and veterans took their own lives in 2012 than died fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan over the same period” - (BBC July 2013)

 

If you would like to raise money for Change Step please call
Richard on 01492 863 005 or email fundraising@cais.co.uk

If you would like to support Change Step CAIS are hosting its first Halloween Fancy Dress BBQ. Tickets start from £12 and include entry, BBQ and live entertainment.

Change Step Launch

Armed Forces veterans in North Wales seeking help for mental health, loneliness, welfare or addiction problems are being offered a helping hand by a new charitable service called ‘Change Step’.

Change Step is a support and peer-mentoring service provided by veterans for veterans. This exciting new service was launched in May at the Hightown Barracks, Wrexham by long-established drug and alcohol charity CAIS whose head office is in Llandudno but which operates across North Wales and beyond.

Change Step was chosen as a name for being not only a parade ground command recognised by military personnel but also for its reflecting the charity’s aspiration to assist veterans in making positive changes to their lives.

Peer mentors – themselves military veterans – have been and will continue to be trained to NVQ level 4 and beyond in the skills and attributes of peer mentoring with a view to befriending and inspiring fellow veterans with post traumatic stress disorder or probable substance misuse issues who want to make a fresh start and who may need support in doing so. Change Step will also provide support for carers and spouses of these same individuals.

The service aims to support those seeking help for problems encountered as a result of military service, and the programme will offer peer support and training and developmental opportunities, as well as counselling and detoxification from drugs or alcohol where required.

Change Step is working collaboratively with statutory bodies and charities such as the Wrexham-based NHS All Wales Veterans Health and Wellbeing Service (AWVHWS) and The Royal British Legion so as to ensure a comprehensive and focused service for Armed Forces veterans.

Change Step offers: a community based peer mentoring scheme delivered by veterans for veterans; a contact point for veterans, family members and carers; training opportunities; CAIS detoxification and rehabilitation programme; CAIS specialist counselling service complementary to the trauma therapy offered by the AWVHWS; signposting to a wide range of services.

Change Step can be contacted on 0845 06 121 12 or ask@change-step.co.uk

New - Parabl Talking Therapies Service

 

 

 

Parabl Talking Therapies Service

The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is investing nearly £1.5million over 5 years in Counselling services for people with common mental health problems.

The service, known as ‘Parabl’, which means ‘to talk or discuss’ in Welsh, became operational on 2nd April, 2013.

The service is being managed by CAIS on behalf of a consortium of North Wales charities. Partners include Advance Brighter Futures, Flintshire Mind, Aberconwy Mind, CAIS, Tan y Maen, Ynys Mon and Gwynedd Mind, Vale of Clwyd Mind and Relate.

Referral to the service can be through a health professional, such as a GP, or individuals may refer themselves by telephone. Once a referral is received a telephone assessment is carried out to establish the most appropriate support for that individual. Support ranges from self-help resources, one-to-one counselling, through to group sessions, available in Community settings such as GP practices, leisure centres and community centres throughout North Wales.  

Wyn Thomas, Assistant Director, Community Partnership Development for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board,  said “We are pleased to be working with partners to offer such a comprehensive service for people throughout North Wales.  The Parabl Talking Therapies is a service to meet the needs of adults over the age of 18, who are resident in North Wales. The service is aimed at people with common mental health problems, including bereavement and relationship difficulties.”

“As well as providing self-help resources, including an interactive self-help programme called the Serenity Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme, group sessions are available over 7-8 weeks to cover such subjects as Coping with Life, Stress Management and Mindfulness.  Up to 6 weekly sessions of individual counselling sessions are also available for individuals who want to discuss any challenging life events which are impacting on their mental well being.”

Self-referrals can be made by telephoning 0300 777 2257.

Gwasanaeth Therapïau ‘Parabl’

Mae Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr yn buddsoddi bron i £1.5 miliwn dros 5 mlynedd mewn gwasanaethau Cynghori i bobl â phroblemau iechyd meddwl cyffredin.

Daeth y gwasanaeth, a elwir yn ‘Parabl’, sy’n golygu sgwrsio neu drafod, yn weithredol ar 2 Ebrill 2013.

Mae’r gwasanaeth yn cael ei reoli gan CAIS ar ran consortiwm o elusennau Gogledd Cymru. Ymhlith y partneriaid mae Advance Brighter Futures, Mind Sir y Fflint, Mind Aberconwy, CAIS, Tan y Maen, Mind Ynys Môn a Gwynedd,  Mind Dyffryn Clwyd a Relate.

Gall gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol, megis meddygon teulu, gyfeirio pobl at y gwasanaeth, neu gall unigolion eu cyfeirio eu hunain, dros y ffôn. Pan fydd cyfeiriad yn cael ei dderbyn, gwneir asesiad dros y ffôn i sefydlu’r gefnogaeth fwyf priodol i’r unigolyn. Mae cymorth yn amrywio o adnoddau hunan gymorth, cynghori un i un, neu sesiynau grŵp, sydd ar gael yn y gymuned mewn llefydd fel meddygfeydd, canolfannau hamdden a chanolfannau cymunedol ledled Gogledd Cymru.

Dywedodd Wyn Thomas, Cyfarwyddwr Cynorthwyol, Datblygu Partneriaeth Cymunedol ar gyfer Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr  “Rydym yn falch o gael cydweithio â phartneriaid i gynnig gwasanaeth mor gynhwysfawr i bobl ar hyd a lled Gogledd Cymru. Mae Therapïau Parabl yn wasanaeth i fodloni anghenion oedolion dros 18 oed sy’n byw yng Ngogledd Cymru. Mae wedi’i anelu at bobl â phroblemau iechyd meddwl cyffredin, yn cynnwys anawsterau gyda pherthnasoedd a phrofedigaeth.”

“Yn ogystal â chynnig adnoddau hunan gymorth, yn cynnwys rhaglen hunan gymorth ryngweithiol o’r enw rhaglen gyfrifiadurol Therapi Ymddygiad Gwybyddol Serenity, mae sesiynau grŵp ar gael dros 7-8 wythnos i drafod pynciau fel Ymdopi â Bywyd, Rheoli Straen ac Ymwybyddiaeth Ofalgar.  Mae hyd at chwe sesiwn gynghori wythnosol unigol hefyd ar gael i unigolion sydd eisiau trafod unrhyw ddigwyddiadau anodd yn eu bywydau sy’n cael effaith ar eu lles meddyliol.”

Gellir gwneud hunan gyfeiriad drwy ffonio 0300 777 2257.

 

DIWEDD

Am ragor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â Desg y Wasg PBC ar 01248 384776.

Ebost bcuhbpressdesk@wales.nhs.uk

Why I'm braving a 6,000 metre climb

Chris Stappleton, 25, of Wrexham, will be ascending Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise money for CAIS.

CAIS is a registered charity and leading voluntary sector provider of drug and alcohol services in Wales.

It helps people who are having problems with their alcohol or drug use, as well as offering support and information to their families and friends.

Chris said: “Since receiving support from CAIS my stress and anxiety levels have reduced considerably.

“I have not felt this healthy and positive for a very long time. I have also given up smoking and keep fit through gym work and road running.

“This July I am climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, something I never thought would ever be possible for me to achieve.

“Part of my motivation for taking on this challenge is to raise awareness of the help and support that CAIS can offer.”

During 2013 CAIS are trying to raise funds for an innovative new peer mentoring service Change Step.

The new service is delivered by veterans for veterans and aims to support those seeking help for problems encountered as a result of military or operational duty.

The programme will offer peer support and training opportunities, as well as counselling and detoxification from drugs or alcohol where required.

To sponsor Chris on his ambitious trek visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/cizziestap

Winter Newsletter

CAIS has found 2013 to be the start of a very exciting year!

Our new newsletter includes an introduction to our board members, an update of station road, new training dates and an update from out counseling manager.

To view the new newsletter please click here.

Charlie's a hit with Schools

Charlie

Don't touch tell performers, John Piper and Charlie, visited St David's Catholic Primary School in Mold in January 2012. We were delighted to receive this lovely message from the pupils of Class 3:

We would like to say "Thank you" for sending Charlie to our school last week to tell us about 'Don't Touch- Tell'. It was really good and very funny. We learnt a lot about different kinds of drugs and not to touch them. We hope Charlie will come again soon.

From

Class3

Working under the Influence

Nina Chambers and Wendy Williams from the ESS team

Did you know that up to one million people go to work every day under the influence of some substance misuse?

An innovative new service is offering one-to-one support and motivational sessions for those who are concerned that their drinking or recreational drug use which is affecting their ability or attendance at work. The Employment Support Service (ESS) launched last year is a free and confidential service that aims to address substance misuse issues which can also include prescription medication before it turns into a major problem that can lead to someone losing their job. This new service is available to people working within Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey. It is also available to anyone third party i.e. someone taking time off sick to look after a friend/relative who has a substance misuse issue.

Julie Davies, a therapeutic intervention worker for the new Employment Support Scheme explains that;

‘There is a general misconception that only ‘alcoholics’ or ‘drug addicts’ need help.  If drinking or drug use is starting, or could start, to affect your health, relationships or employment, it is a problem and it is better to get help sooner rather than later.  Many people only seek help when the problem is so severe that it is obviously affecting their health, or they have lost their job, their partner or access to their children.’

People with drug and alcohol problems come in all shapes and sizes and from all social backgrounds.  Anybody, regardless of gender, class, ethnicity or any other social variable, may be a ‘problem’ drinker or drug user. If you asked for help from the Employment Support Service your employer will not be informed and any sessions attended will be kept to the highest levels of confidentiality.  

For more information about the Employment Support Service please call Claire on 07795 484 115 or visit www.cais.co.uk/ess