Homelessness 2nd Tier Support PartnershipLDAN is working with Shelter and Homeless Link to support frontline organisations that provide services to homeless people. Funded by London Councils , this four year project aims to support frontline organisations to work together strategically, share good practice and improve the quality of service delivery for homeless people in London. LDAN’s key role in the project is the development of a peer support forum for those working with homeless clients with drug and alcohol issues.
The LDAN Homelessness Drug and Alcohol Forum is open to all staff and volunteers within London Councils funded frontline organisations. It is run on a quarterly basis and aims:
- To provide training on drug and alcohol issues to facilitate increased knowledge and a better understanding of how to work productively with homeless clients with drug and alcohol needs
- To enable frontline organisations to work together strategically to plan effective service delivery to clients with drug and alcohol misuse needs, share best practise and support each other through the sharing of knowledge and expertise
- To enable frontline organisations to share knowledge, information and data about the needs of homeless clients with drug and alcohol misuse issues in order to contribute to the policy development process and specialist articles on this subject
The First forum was held on 27th October and focused on improving drugs knowledge and cross sector working. The group work session focused on how to improve co-ordination between the homelessness and drugs/alcohol sector. The write up of the discussions can be accessed here (PDF 66KB)
- Training presentation on drugs and drug treatment- Harry Shapiro, Director of Communications at DrugScope (PPT)
- The work of Foundation66 with homeless drug and alcohol users– Laura Milner, SE Services Manager, Foundation66 (PPT)
- Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) Coalition on Multiple needs- Oliver Hilbery, MEAM Programme Director (PPT)
The second forum was held on 19th January and included training on drugs and the law, and a focus on how to improve homelessness and drugs/alcohol provision for different demographics and equality groups. The write up of the discussions can be accessed here
- Training presentation on drugs, homelessness and the law- Niamh Eastwood, Head of Legal Services and Deputy Director, Release (PPT)
- Practice example: The Nia Project Specialist substance misuse refuge, Jodie Woodward (PPT)
The third forum had a focus on alcohol and was held on 24th March at The Guildhall. The agenda included training on alcohol use and treatment, and presentations on working with older homeless people with alcohol problems. The write up of the discussions can be accessed here PDF 87KB
- Training presentation on alcohol use and treatment- Don Shenker, Chief Executive, Alcohol Concern (PPT)
- Example of practice– Bekim Bërlajolli, Thames Reach, Robertson Street -Older homelessness and alcohol use (PPT)
- Policy update- Helen Mathie, Homeless Link- Coalition on Older Homelessness, Survey of Needs and Provision and the Health Needs Audit (PPT)
The fourth LDAN Homelessness Drug and Alcohol Forum was held on 16th June and Andrew McNicoll, Communications Officer from DrugScope delivered a training presentation on legal highs and new drug trends, which was followed at the end of the meeting by a ‘drugs quiz’. Members of the group were tasked with identifying different substances from a drugs box and also guessing key statistics. Peter Middleton from New Horizon Youth Centre also presented on their Women’s Open Space and ‘Healthy Horizon’ project. The Open Space project provides support to young female sex workers in the Kings Cross area. More information can be found at www.nhyouthcentre.org.uk
Training presentation on new drug trends, Andrew McNicoll, DrugScope
Drugs Quiz Master Sheet (PDF)
Drugs Quiz answer sheet (PDF)
The next LDAN Homelessness Drug and Alcohol Forum will be held in early September – date and agenda tbc.
If you are interested to attend the forum or to find out more about the LDAN Homelessness Project, please contact Esther Sample, LDAN Policy Officer, esthers.ldan@drugscope.org.uk
Specialist articles
Room to live (PDF 1MB) Article on an innovative supported housing project in Nottinghamshire that provides high quality self contained flats to homeless people with drug or alcohol problems.
Working in Isolation (PDF 225KB) Article based on an interview with hostel workers, outlining current issues involved in working with drug and alcohol services.
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