Local radio station supports people to move on from addiction | News and Events

Local radio station supports people to move on from addiction

INDIVIDUALS who are in recovery from substance misuse have been given a unique opportunity to develop skills in radio production with a view to running their own community radio project, thanks to a project funded by Greater Manchester West (GMW) Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and delivered as part of the Bauer Academy project run at Rock FM.

The project has involved working with a group of service users from the Discover Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service in Central Lancashire, to improve their aspirations and provide them with more confidence about potential careers as well as life in general.

The eight-week programme included an introduction into radio, communities, careers research, presentation techniques, role-plays and work experience.  Each session is used effectively to create radio programmes and podcasts and the academy also provided the group with two day’s experience working at Rock FM, where the group created a 30-second commercial that will air on i.rockfm.co.uk as well as on the radio for two weeks, to promote Discover and its services.

These Bauer Academy sessions have been running at the Rock FM station every week and the group went through an intense two-day programme that concentrated on learning more about the radio industry and working towards a B-TEC Level 2, Working in a Team unit.  The rest of the ten-month programme will concentrate on working with the group after the initial eight week training programme and provide them with the opportunity to run a community radio project for other people to come and discuss their dreams and aspirations.

Richard Rodgers, who leads on substance misuse at GMW said, ““Addiction can have a detrimental impact on people’s lives in a variety of ways including their health, their  relationships and their opportunities to find work and engage in the communities where they live. Once a person has achieved some stability in relation to their substance misuse, it is vital that they have the support to help them get back into employment which will give them confidence to move on with their lives.  Projects such as this provide people with optimism for the future by giving them opportunities to develop their skills and be marketable to potential employers.”

A presentation event to celebrate progress so far takes place on Tuesday 5 May 2015 at 3pm at St Paul’s Square.  Each service user on the programme will do a presentation on what their achievements and aspirations are and the group will be showcasing their talent to local companies.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Members of the press are welcome to attend the presentation event.

Discover Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services provide help and treatment to individuals concerning their substance misuse and tailored packages of support are offered to help the journey to recovery.  Discover is part of Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust which provides district mental health services in Bolton, Salford and Trafford. Individually developed and recovery focused services are delivered through both inpatient and community-based means.

The Trust also provides inpatient alcohol and drug recovery services in Prestwich as well as community services in Trafford, Salford, Cumbria, Wigan and Leigh and Central Lancashire.

GMW provides secure services for adults across the wider North which include a range of care pathways. Specialist services for young people and adults are also provided, such as psychotherapy, prison in-reach, early intervention, an eating disorder service and more.

For media enquiries, contact the press office on 0161 772 3986 or email clare.thompson@gmmh.nhs.uk.

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