Supporting Families through Training and Community Empowerment
Why is training important?
- “Carers have direct experience of the impact of drugs on families and communities”
- “Training provides the carer with knowledge and information of how to deal and cope with all types of difficult situations”
- “Knowledge is Power” and power can and does influence change”
Who Provides the Training?
Carers of drug & alcohol users have little or no opportunity to engage in positive life experiences that enhance their personal/professional development. We work proactively alongside Safe Newcastle’s Drug Support Unit ‘Training & Development Officer’, and other partners, to jointly participate in coordinating & delivering a range of health, education and training packages includes:
- Accredited Drug & Alcohol Awareness levels 1 and 2
- Skills to reduce Drug Related Deaths
- Stronger Voices/Training the Trainer
- Parenting (Lets Talk Parenting/Father Figures)
- Families Influence on Treatment
- Families, Drugs and Prisons
- Crack Cocaine
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual Health Awareness
- Counselling skills to support helpline workers
Sessions are delivered within the community and include a Family Support Worker to ensure equality in access is offered as well as appropriate levels of support. The courses are also designed to act as a stepping-stone for those in a transitional stage, who feel more able and confident to access further/higher education and training opportunities within mainstream services.
A significant element which grows year on year to compliment the services delivered by P.R.O.P.S. is the strong links established with partner agencies throughout the community, voluntary, and statutory sectors, and delivered by providers within local, regional, and national geographical areas.
“When my sister told me my son was using drugs. It made me feel sick to the stomach. I started going to drug support groups for a few weeks and listened to
other people’s experiences. I was totally shattered at what my son was doing this gutted me and all the family, I felt alone, ashamed, frightened to leave the house because of what my son was doing and what he had done.
My son went to prison through his heroin addiction. Whilst he was in prison I felt at ease as I knew where he was and what he was doing. Now he is out of prison on bail I’m afraid he will do the same things again. Since I came to the group I can offload and get help for myself, I enjoy it, as I’m not alone.”
