The Social Inclusion Project redesigned Turning Point’s
Derbyshire Structured Day Programme for drug users,
creating a vibrant new service designed with input from
service users, built around their individual needs.
The new Turning Point Social Inclusion Project (SIP) provides
complementary therapies, access to education,
employment and training, group work (when needed) and
one to one support. Using a person centred approach, the
support provided is based on individual need and could
include support with health concerns, life skills, practical
support, housing, benefits or leisure activities. SIP aims to
move individuals away from specialist services which
continue the cycle of social exclusion and encourage use of
local facilities.
A close partnership exists with the Community Drug Teams
to provide ongoing therapeutic and medical support for
service users who require it. The additional support,
alongside prescribing and other medical services, ensures
that service users stay in treatment – and retention is better
throughout the system.
Staff have adapted to the new ways of working and say
they are more motivated and able to be more proactive in
the work they do. They are also seeing more positive gains
for the clients they work with and the new service is already
exceeding targets for engaging with drug users in the area.
“Some days I have to pinch myself - I cannot believe how
far I have come in my life with the support and help I get
from Turning Point. I’m doing a computer course, working
with my brother, got a new flat, new car, nearly finished
with probation, getting the specialist appointments I need
for my health and I’m still drug free! I’m happy for the first
time in years.”
For more information on this project, please contact:
Debbie.kinsella@turning-point.co.uk
