forus, ed.3: march - may 2016
TRANSCRIPT
“The word on Recovery by people in Recovery” March—May 2016
Focus On Recovery United support
FORUS Recovery Magazine
Third Edition
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Contents
Page 2…...…..……..New Social Media
(Instagram/Facebook/Twitter)
Page 3…….…New Mutual Aid Groups
(Lodge Road, West Smethwick Park,
Alberta)
Page 4.….…………….Spring Recovery
(Exercise, poetry, breaks & word search)
Page 5………….…………..Get Creative
(Jack’s Story, Art)
Page 6….…………..…Moving Forward
(The Recovery College)
Page 7…..………...….…Did You Know
(Before/After & Drug Facts)
Page 8….……....…An Interview With
(Jude Bolton & Leanne)
Page 9.……...….What Is Mindfulness
(Colouring & mindfulness breathing)
Page 10……………..Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ & wordsearch solution)
Page 11………....Hygiene and Health
(Naloxone Training & Hills Pharmacy)
irissandwell
IRiS Sandwell on
Social Media
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Iris Sandwell
@IRiSandwell
Follow us to:
Get updates about the service first;
Engage in discussions;
Ask questions and leave your feedback;
Get to know us better!
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New Mutual Aid Groups Lodge Road/West Smethwick Park/Alberta Building
ALBERTA BUILDING
Rethink Recovery (Every 2 weeks)
Tuesday 01st March onwards
Rethink Recovery is a 6 week group work
program spread over 12 weeks.
Whilst empowering and helping individuals
into recovery our prime objective is that all attendees will have a better understanding of “Recovery” and how this can be applied to
their personal treatment journey.
On completion of all sessions a certificate
will be given.
WEST SMETHWICK PARK
Play and Stay (Every Thursday)
Our play and stay parents recovery group is
a safe space where people can bring their
children and get support from IRiS staff and
meet other parents in recovery.
There are children's toys and games
provided and you are welcome to bring kids
aged 0-5 yrs old term time and 0-10 yrs old
out of term time. Please speak to your
keyworker for referral.
A family friendly environment
Parenting advice
Support around your recovery
Toys and games
Child friendly activities
Debt and financial advice
Tea, coffee and biscuits
All groups will be joint run with Inclusion
Telephone: 0121 553 2013
www.lodgecommunitycentre.com
Lodge Road
West Bromwich
B70 8PJ
Pool Club + Recovery
(Every Monday)
Football club + Recovery
(Every Wednesday)
We have now launched Pool and Football
clubs at Lodge Road community centre!
All pool tables are completely FREE
to play
5 a side football is FREE
Hot drinks are provided
Service users are welcome to drop in
during this time, no appointment
needed.
There will be a worker/peer mentor
on site to
talk to at
any time.
LODGE ROAD (Community centre)
For more information please contact Chris Cole or Leon
Barrett on 0121 553 1333
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Spring Recovery
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Spring time is approaching which means sunnier weather and longer days.
It is a great time of year to go outside and get involved with your community. While the sun
is out why not try some physical activities such as public walks?
Mytime Active Sandwell Stride has been running for over 12 years!
Regular walkers get together in the company of others and walk in various
Sandwell parks and nature reserves. They have regular walks in Oldbury,
Rowley Regis, Tipton, Smethwick, West Bromwich and Wednesbury.
If you live in Sandwell, there is a walk near you! The walks are open to all
and are a great way to meet new people, make friends and have fun!
Search for Sandwell Stride on both Facebook and Instagram”.
For a timetable of dates and times visit: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk
SPRING POEM
Spring is a miraculous experience. The
whole world comes alive after the winter in
which it seemed that everything was dead.
The world comes filled with colour and the
scent of delicious greenery. The world that
seemed so dull and cold has come alive once
again. Little did we know that beneath the
cold hard ground the plants and trees were
preparing for rebirth. Spring gives us hope
for rejuvenation in our own lives as well.
Spring is a time to renew the excitement
and zest for life that lives inside.
www.familyfriendpoems.com/poems/
nature/spring/#ixzz40dI1EiU4
Spring Bank Holidays
March 25th
March 28th
May 2nd
Get Creative Creative Writing, Art & Poetry
Jack S
Hello,
My name is Jack and I am 27 years old. Since the age of 13 I was a
drug addict.
I have been clean since August 7th 2015.
At the age of 18 I started training for the army, where I began my
career in the Infantry.
This job required me to have high fitness levels, this is when
I began to really enjoy fitness and going to the gym etc…
Now that I am drug free I can use this past passion and discipline.
I am learning to focus on positive things and keep myself busy.
I realise now that boredom was definitely a major trigger for me.
Not having something meaningful to do with my time was a key
part of my initial drug use.
Currently I put my time into fulltime work, physical exercise and
getting things done.
I take part in the peer support groups here at IRiS when I can, and
feel that the Peer Mentoring programme is giving me something to
work towards.
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Moving Forward Keep learning
The Recovery college The Trust has developed an exciting new mental health initiative, The
Recovery College - aiming to support people on their journey to recovery.
The principles of the Recovery College are to enable people with mental health challenges to have the same opportunities in life as everyone else.
The aim is to support people on their personal journey towards a meaningful
and satisfying life, where hope, opportunity and choice are the key elements.
The college aims to help people to become experts in their own self-care,
and enable family, friends, carers and staff to better understand mental health so that they can best help people towards recovery.
Courses are co-produced with users, carers and professionals working in
partnership.
Who can attend?
Anyone over the age of 18, who has
received services delivered by Black
Country Partnership NHS Foundation
Trust.
Supporters of students; family,
friends and loved ones.
BCPFT staff, experts by experience,
and volunteers
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The Sandwell Recovery College
Black Country Partnership NHS Trust
Quayside House
Rounds Green Road
Oldbury
B69 2DG
For more information:
www.therecoverycollege.co.uk
Or
Speak to your keyworker
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Comedian Richard Pryor (inset) suffered 3rd
degree burns to over half his body from a gas
explosion which occurred whilst cooking up
crack.
Krokodil is popular in Russia as a cheap
home-made alternative to heroin. A side effect
of prolonged use causes users to develop scaly
skin (hence the name). Heavy use causes skin
to rot away from the bone.
Dimethylheptylpyran or DMHP was a
synthetic cannabis produced by the American
military during the 1950’s at Edgewood
Arsenal. Tests discovered just 1mg dose
incapacitated soldiers for up to 3 days. DMHP
was developed as a non lethal weapon until it
was plugged in 1970.
Actor Charlie Sheen accidently shot his fiancé
Kelly Preston after mixing cocaine and alcohol
(cocaethylene).
Entorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid that is
3000 times more powerful than morphine.
Entorphine is so potent it can kill a human
merely from skin contact!
Police in Charlestown, West Virginia found
Mark Thompson wandering in the woods in bra
and panties soaked in the blood of his next
door neighbours goat….which he had
kidnapped and killed in his bedroom after
ingesting bath salts.
Bromo-dragonfly is a drug that is named
because its molecular structure looks like a
dragonfly. Bromo-dragonfly is sometimes sold
as LSD, because it’s active at low enough doses
to be put on a tab. While an LSD trip usually
lasts a few hours, Bromo-dragonfly can be
active for up to 3 days!!
Whitney Houston
Macauley Culkin
Pete Doherty
Lisa Robin Kelly
(70’s Show)
Before and
After DRUGS
Did You Know? DRUG FACTS AND STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
An Interview with-
Leanne (IRiS Service User)
+ Briefly describe your recovery journey:
My recovery journey has taken me far from how I used to be. My keyworker Kellie has played a great
part being there for me when I felt down and needed support. I also got involved with the Recovery
College for support with my mental health. This helps with my confidence and makes going out by
myself easier.
+ What do you feel has been most integral to your current successes?
I feel the constant support from IRiS in terms of group-work and the support from volunteers at the
breakfast club have helped me to keep going. The Recovery College helped bring structure to my day
and motivated me to be alcohol free.
+ What does recovery mean to you?
I feel that without the support of IRiS, I would definitely still be drinking, committing crime and self
harming. Being in recovery has pulled me away from the way I was living, now I look after myself,
eating healthy and exercising more. Most of all, I am now alcohol free!
+ Give one piece of advice to someone struggling with their own recovery:
IRiS has all the help and support you need. I was in a really dark place and now I enjoy life being
alcohol free. If you’re struggling the help is there, just refer yourself and get the support that has
helped me.
Jude Bolton (IRiS Case Progression Worker)
+ What do you feel is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Seeing people change; no matter how small the change it is great to see the positive impact it can
have not only on the individual but on all the people who are involved with the person on their
journey through life also when a colleague makes me
a cup of tea!
+ What is your happiest memory?
Cliché, but the birth of my daughter, after being told
for 9 months you can’t do this and you must not do
that to finally have her arrive and be so perfect it was
worth every sacrifice made and more. She also
continues to be my greatest achievement, every day
watching her develop and turn into a better, more
Intelligent but less weird mini-me is just amazing.
+ Favourite quote, saying or philosophy:
“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never known what you’re gonna get”. 3 reasons, 1st class film
which never fails to make me laugh and cry (sometimes simultaneously) and also accompanied by an
awesome sound track. 2) It is very true, and means whatever occurs to us in life we must face the
challenge and 3) It’s about chocolates, always good.
+ If you could have any super power, what would it be? and why?
I would like to be able to control time and have dominion over the past, present and future. So, I
could right wrongs, prevent atrocities or wreak havoc depending upon the mood I’m in on that day.
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Mindfulness
Mindfulness is about being present and in the moment so that we can thoughtfully act and
behave rather than working on auto-pilot out of habit.
Mindfulness can help us better observe ourselves without being judgemental and over critical.
This can then help us respond better to situations and master our own behaviour. Practicing
mindfulness improves our ability to be present in our day to day life and improve our overall
wellbeing.
The benefits of Mindfulness include being able to:
Recognise, slow down or stop automatic
and habitual reactions.
Respond more effectively to complex or
difficult situations.
See situations more clearly.
Become more creative.
Achieve balance and resilience at work and
at home.
Adult colouring is one method of
mindfulness therapy that can be used to
achieve some of the above benefits.
By being focused on such simple acts the mind
can become free from the buzz of thoughts
and therefore helping an individual to feel
calm and present in what they are doing. The
aim then being that the mind may freely run
over thoughts in a relaxed manner, this
bringing clarity and perspective.
Another mindfulness technique is “Mindfulness Breathing”.
This exercise can be done standing up or sitting down, and pretty much anywhere at any time.
All you have to do is be still and focus on your breath for just one minute.
Start by breathing in and out slowly. One cycle should last for approximately 6 seconds.
Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, letting your breath flow effortlessly
in and out of your body.
Let go of your thoughts for a minute. Let go of things you have to do later today or pending
projects that need your attention. Simply let yourself be still for one minute.
Purposefully watch your breath, focusing your senses on its pathway as it enters your body and
fills you with life, and then watch it work its way up and out of your mouth as its
energy dissipates into the world.
For more mindfulness techniques visit:
http://www.pocketmindfulness.com/6-mindfulness-exercises-you-can-try-today
What is mindfulness?
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Does IRiS support with travel?
Travel is not reimbursed by IRiS. However attendance to the FORUS meetings is
rewarded with a 1 day scratch off day saver. This funded by Rights & Equality
Sandwell.
Reception staff are available to call Taxi’s at their discretion and can help out with
any public transport guidance.
We have a bike parking area that is covered by a camera. Please ask for a bike lock
at reception.
How do I access groups and services?
Many of the groups are open to service users and do not require appointment. For
services such as acupuncture or “think and change” please ask at reception for
further info and speak to your keyworker to book on to them.
I have a friend who wants to get help. Is their postcode covered by
IRiS?
IRiS covers the entire borough of Sandwell. To check your local authority please
visit: www.ndtms.org.uk/emids/cgi-bin/ons_locale.cgi.
Do we provide refreshments?
Service users have access to a water cooler in
reception. Hot drinks are provided only during
groups/meetings. Additionally: Friday mornings
10-12 we have a breakfast club open to all service
users.
Can I bring my children with me?
We try to make the reception a child friendly area
and toys are available. If you need to bring your
children with you to appointments please check this
your keyworker beforehand. We do run a Play and
Stay group for parents and children, (see page 3).
Frequently Asked
Questions
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Hygiene & Health
Complete a 15 minute Naloxone training course at IRiS and you can take a kit home the same day!
Most overdose deaths
occur in the company of
others.
Heroin overdose deaths
occur within 1-3 hours
of overdose.
Naloxone is a synthetic
drug that can be used to
reverse the effect of
opioids such as heroin.
Do you know what to do in
the event of an overdose?
Would you like to be trained
to save a life?
Do you know the signs of
overdose?
Ever overdosed or know
anyone that has?
As of 11/02/16 180+ IRiS service users have been trained in overdose
prevention and given Naloxone kits.
Naloxone Training
Hills Pharmacy
(Within Hilltop Medical Centre)
Free Health Check Service
The pharmacy offers access to a Keito health monitor machine
allowing you to check your weight, BMI, blood pressure, heart Rate
and body fat.
Tailored lifestyle advice and diet plans are also available.
Free Hygiene packs
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Lip balm
Shampoo
Bar of Soap
Hand Sanitizer
Multivitamins
Contraception
15 Hilltop Road
Oldbury
B68 9DUTel: 0121
423 3105
Opening Times
Mon- Fri..... 7:00am- 10.00pm
Sat............ 7:00am - 9:00pm
Sun............ 7:00am - 6:00pm
If you are not one of these people please consider whether being Naloxone trained
could benefit you or those around you.
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IRiS Sandwell is delivered in partnership by Cranstoun, Inclusion Drug Alcohol &
Psychological Services (special directorate of South Staffordshire & Shropshire Healthcare
NHS Foundation Trust) and Kaleidoscope+. These three organisations provide a range of
services for drug and alcohol users in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell.
Cranstoun
Registered Charity No. 1061582
www.cranstoun.org
Inclusion Drug, Alcohol & Psychological Services
www.inclusionuk.org
Kaleidoscope+
Registered Charity No. 1096473
IRiS Sandwell
Alberta Building
128b Oldbury Road
Smethwick
West Midlands
B66 1JE
Tel: +44 (0)121 553 1333
Fax: +44 (0)121 358 9630
Email: [email protected]
www.irispartnership.org
“FORUS is an
independent group of people with lived
experience of recovery who are supported
and hosted by IRiS Sandwell”