Red Rose Recovery: Help is out there

Healthwatch Lancashire Senior Engagement Officers Sue and Steve recently met with Kaitlyn, Sarah, Kerry and some of the volunteers at Red Rose Recovery, a nationally recognised charity that support people in recovery and addiction.

Red Rose Recovery facilitate a space for the Lancashire User Forum (LUF) which is an independent platform for members of the community who want to have their voices heard, advocate for one another, learn what is going on in their community and overall, celebrate recovery. During our visit, there was a rich discussion around some of the issues faced by the people they support, including the need for more urgent out-of-hours support for people who are in crisis, and issues around access to some medications such as Methadone.                                                                                                                                                               

Living with, and recovering from, substance abuse raises many healthcare issues from mental health to associated stigma and social exclusion. As a Healthwatch, we strive to amplify the voices of seldom-heard individuals, highlighting their experiences and concerns to health and social care providers, to improve and make changes.

Working closely with LUF will allow for these issues to be raised in a non-judgmental environment and allow for people to be heard.

Healthwatch Lancashire is looking forward to working in partnership with LUF listening to the health and social care issues they are facing and supporting local health services to help work towards better healthcare, inclusion and support around addiction and recovery.

We have already attended two forum events and had a fantastic welcome; we are really looking forward to being part of future forum events. The Healthwatch Lancashire team are very grateful for being given the opportunity to meet and speak to the group and listen to their experiences.

If you live in Lancashire and want support for your substance use, the following services can help:

• Inspire offer a wide range of support for anyone worried about their own or somebody else’s substance/alcohol use. They offer advice and guidance to individuals and family members from assessment through to treatment and aftercare
• Alcoholics Anonymous – A self-help organisation. Meetings are free and confidential. Call: 0800 9177 650 
• We Are With You is a Lancashire-wide young people’s drug and alcohol treatment service (for those under 25’s). Call: 0808 164 0074 or email: spoc.yalancs@wearewithyou.org.uk

There is support available for you, you are not alone.