Description
Addaction is one of the UK’s leading charities that works from 120 centres with adults and children with mental health, drugs and alcohol problems, helping them make positive changes to improve their lives. The charity believes that effective treatment should be tailored specifically to each individual, and that each person needs committed and caring support on their journey to their new life.
Donations would help the three projects that the charity runs - Drink Wise Age Well; Mind and Body; and Right Turn.
The Projects
Drink Wise Age Well
Did you know that in less than a decade, the number of hospital visits has more than doubled due to alcohol abuse? Drink Wise Age Well aims to raise awareness of the harm over-drinking can do to people as we get older. They share information, provide support and advice on how to make healthier choices. For example, anybody worried that they (or someone they know) is drinking too much, they should consider
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Do you need to drink more alcohol to get the same effect as in the past?
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Have you drunk more than you used to in response to experiencing a loss, or disappointment in life?
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Do your friends and family or doctor ever told you that they’re concerned about your alcohol intake?
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Drink Wise Age Well is there for people who answer yes to the above, and help turn things around by offering one-to-one and group support sessions, as well as activities & workshops to help people make healthier choices (there are more questions too - head to their site to find the rest)
Mind and Body
This is an innovative programme for young people that self-harm, or are believed to be exhibiting self-harming behaviours. This programme is mainly rolled out in secondary schools and participants benefit from interactive group sessions that encourage people to talk about their state of mind. These group settings are a safe place to talk about feeling of isolation and finding ways to better manage their thoughts and behaviours.
Mind and Body won the “Innovation in Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services Award" in October 2018, and is accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health and the University of Bath
Right Turn
This project provides armed forces veterans support for substance misuse/abuse and work with a tailored approach to understand the specific experiences within the armed forces community. Addaction’s specially trained staff work alongside veterans who’ve also been trained as Recovery Champions to help others on the road to recovery.
Important dates for the calendar
10th October - World Mental Health Day
10th - 25th November - Alcohol Awareness Week
November - Date tbc - National Recovery Conference
How else can supporters do their bit?
If this is the year you decide to take your fitness onto another level, why not sign up for a sporting event? Addaction has lot of places in the Brighton and Virgin London Marathon in 2019 - you can also run alongside the legend Mo Farah, although anyone would do well to keep up with him! All you need to do to sign up is head over to the Addaction website for more info.