‘Legal high’ Naphyrone is classified as a Class B drug
Posted on | July 23, 2010 | No Comments
Naphyrone (often called ‘NRG1’) and its related compounds has become a Class B drug from today.
The drug, which has no known legitimate use, will be banned under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
The legislation includes a generic definition to prevent unscrupulous drug manufacturers tweaking the chemical structure in an attempt to get around the law.
For more information click here (pdf link)
Category: Uncategorized
In my view…Maggie Williams, NORCAS chief executive.
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | No Comments
Maggie looks ahead to challenging times and positive outcomes!
At NORCAS we firmly believe that out of challenges come real opportunities. Like everyone
else, we know that this period of austerity we are currently facing is likely to affect us all in
some way, both in our personal and professional lives.
In the charitable sector, we have entered into a new era of competitive tendering which
for many will require adopting a more commercial mindset. People also have less money
to give, but at the same time there has never been a greater demand for our services.
Politically there will inevitably be changes to take on board, (At NORCAS we’ve always
believed that change happens together, which is something our new coalition government is
having to get used to pretty quickly!).
All these factors, however, are things we have long been planning for at NORCAS and were
at the core of our decision to rebrand last September and make the necessary changes to
ensure we were performing as well as we possibly could be.
Value for money has never been more important and we must focus on outcomes rather
than outputs. In everything we do, we must ask ourselves what difference have we made?
We must measure the impact.
While being realistic and pragmatic, we have a highly skilled and experienced team who do
a fantastic job and we will rise to these challenges and with everyone’s support remain true
to our vision, mission and values.
Although challenging times certainly require a ‘positive mental attitude’, with so many new,
so worthwhile and exciting things happening for us at NORCAS, that isn’t too difficult!
I hope you enjoy and find it interesting to read about some of them in this newsletter.
And although it is covered in more detail later, I must mention our first ever charity ball
which was held at Dunston Hall on 5th June. What a fantastic evening and a big thank you to
everyone who helped to organise the event and the ‘friends of NORCAS’ who came along
on the evening to show their support and offered such a generous reception to our cause. I
have a feeling it may not be the last!
Category: Uncategorized
Change Happens Together at Herbie’s Drop-in Centre
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | No Comments
Great Yarmouth agencies combine forces for a new programme named after local street drinker
NORCAS is now part of a multi agency partnership project in Great Yarmouth, which
integrated the existing Salvation Army Drop-in centre and a supported network of other
organisations.
The facility offers food parcels, advice, support, washing facilities, showers, board games,
entertainment and a cup of tea to all those in need and particularly those who are currently
without a place to stay.
NORCAS provides drug and alcohol advice at the ‘Herbie’s’ drop-in centre on Tolhouse
Street, which currently sees up to 20 people each day. During the two hour sessions the
NORCAS worker will sit down and talk with any visitor seeking support in dealing with
addictive behaviours and offer harm reduction advice. The NORCAS team also support
those who are affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug misuse. Those engaging at
the drop-in are encouraged to take up the more structured and longer term support that is
available a short walk away at the team’s base on North Quay.
Richard Bergson, team leader at NORCAS in Great Yarmouth says: “NORCAS has
predominantly been a service based provider and by joining with the other organisations
at the drop-in centre, we have the opportunity to extend these services to people in the
community who may not have known about the charity or what we have to offer.”
Herbie’s is named after a well know street drinker who died on the streets of Great Yarmouth
during the Christmas period of 2009. His name was used to signify a commitment by all the
agencies involved with the scheme to prevent future cases like Herbie’s.
The extended ‘community drop in’, previously the Salvation Army Church, is hosted
and supported by a number of organisations including NORCAS, Norfolk Constabulary,
Voluntary Norfolk, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, GYROS, DIAL, MIND, Great Yarmouth
Community Trust (ageless opportunities), P&S Personnel, Citizens advice bureau, Job
centre plus, Comeunity, ASA, Stonham and the Salvation Army.
Without official funding attached to the project, the centre relies on the partnership approach
and is currently looking for retailers who are willing to donate gifts or food to Herbie’s to
benefit the service users.
Herbie’s Drop in Centre is open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays between 9.30 am and
11.30 pm (12pm till 2pm on Thursdays). For more information please call Comeunity on
01493 845922 or visit the drop in centre which is located at the Salvation Army Church on
Tolhouse Street in Great Yarmouth.
Category: Uncategorized
A Day in the Life…of a Substance Misuse Outreach Worker for the Youth Team.
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | No Comments
A snapshot of a ‘typical’ day in the life, working with young people who misuse drugs and alcohol…
First thing, I go to see a 15 year old boy at his school. He was open and excited about discussing his previous weekend’s activities, but my necessary ‘harm reduction’ chat highlighted several individual circumstances over the course of his weekend which could be quite dangerous and that he was ill prepared for. For instance telling his Mum that he was staying with a mate, but playing second fiddle to a mate’s female interest and consequently sleeping outside of the tent in the wet, drunk.I was pleased that he’d taken note of previous sexual health sessions, but disappointed that I couldn’t provide him with any condoms on school grounds. I made a note to improve his access to condoms.The session ended with an inspection of his feet as he’d lost his shoes running from the police and his feet had been wet ‘for days’. We then discussed the subject of visiting a doctor, should he feel anything was wrong. Increasing his risk assessment skills is always worth visiting and as he is a young adolescent whose cognitive abilities limit his forward thinking and consequential understanding and he’s just discovered sex, drugs and how to sneak out of his bedroom window.
New clients can often be ambivalent or scared to see me but I always find first encounters the most interesting. Having any tentative ‘gut feelings’ thrown about, reminds you not to turn first impressions into assumptions or judgements; the kid dragged in coercively by his older sister may actually stick it out and make positive changes whereas perhaps the ‘totally committed’ self-referral is not seen or heard from again…keeps me on my toes! A string of new referrals means responding afresh to what they bring; the variety of drugs, including the ‘legal highs’ (everything except only tobacco); talking about harm reduction in case they don’t return; figuring out if the referral is appropriate and the extent of the ‘problem’ use ( is it just because they’ve been caught? Is the use for pleasure or escape? );What haven’t they told me yet and are they being consistent in their story? (and what might it mean if they are not?); Have they understood correctly all that I’ve said to reduce harm? (Eating weed is an option but reducing harm to lungs doesn’t make it ‘safe’, and certainly not ‘healthy’!!). All this and engaging in a friendly and safe manner, taking notes, keeping the momentum so I don’t bore them, getting caught up in a ‘Skins’ sidetrack issue and keeping an eye out for child protection issues. The gel cards help relieve the pressure of eye contact and loosens the tongue and no matter what age, levels of ambivalence or degrees of ‘hardness’, the lolly at the end to say well done for actually getting here, for walking through the door, always puts a smile on their faces.
One client turned up stoned and got more horizontal as the session progressed. It was only once I returned to the room having escorted him out that I realised how powerful the smell was in the room and how stoned he’d probably been. I asked him not to be so freshly stoned when I texted him the morning reminder for the next session. Such a distinctive role in a small town is not without its consequences, my dad was rather surprised one evening as we were waiting in the chippy queue to hear me greeted as ‘that druggy lady’!
Category: Uncategorized
NORCAS Launches New Service User Led Abstinence Group
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | 1 Comment
A new service is available for people in Norwich who want to continue their success in dealing with addictive behaviour.
The service user led abstinence group was launched in April by NORCAS to provide
support, motivation, encouragement, understanding, common connection and/or goals for
those that are abstinent from alcohol and drugs.
Saul Trower, team leader at NORCAS in Norwich said: “The new abstinence group was set
up by NORCAS service users to provide support for those that had finished their structured
work programme and wanted a safe space to focus on maintaining their abstinence. My
role is to support the group members and communicate any needs to the team and wider
organisation. We are very pleased to be able to offer this service in order to provide a safe
haven for people wanting to remain on the right track. Two of the group members have also
been attending NDAP training for service users, so that they can go on to help others who
have been in a similar situation to themselves.”
The facility, which is run by service users for service users, is based in Exchange Street in Norwich. Service users set the agenda, rules, referral system and raise awareness of the group’s activities. The group meets each week on Fridays 2pm to 4pm. Those wanting to join the group can turn up at 4pm and have a chat with existing members.
The facility, which is run by service users for service users, is based in Exchange Street in Norwich.
Category: Uncategorized
New Service for Migrant Community Launched in Great Yarmouth
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | No Comments
A new surgery based programme aims to improve access for the migrant community.
NORCAS has launched a new regular service at the Nelson Medical Centre in Great
Yarmouth, which offers support to those from the local migrant community who are affected
by addictive behaviour.
NORCAS has operated a specialist migrant outreach programme in the town, following
research in 2007 which showed that there were a number of barriers to foreign nationals
living in the area accessing support services.
NORCAS Migrant Link Worker, Emilia Shurmur, said: “The Nelson Medical Centre was
the venue of choice for our new service as it was identified as having the highest number
of foreign patients on its books, giving NORCAS the best opportunity to access migrant
workers in the area.”
Emilia offers substance misuse support and advocacy services. She speaks Portuguese,
English and Spanish, but works with service users from many nationalities enlisting the help
of another interpreter from Intran, where necessary.
The new service takes place every other Friday at the surgery and takes referrals from the
GP’s.
The NORCAS migrant outreach scheme is understood to be the only service of its kind in
Great Yarmouth.
Category: Uncategorized
Gambling Update
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | No Comments
At NORCAS, we deliver GamCare’s specialist individual counselling for people with gambling problems and their families and others who are affected by it. Our services are available in Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Cromer, Ipswich and Lowestoft. The service includes an initial assessment followed by up to 24 sessions with regular reviews throughout this time. Counselling takes place on a one-to-one basis in a private and confidential setting. Within the gambling services that NORCAS offers, the highest demand is for one to one counselling. NORCAS is also currently experiencing a significant proportion of clients who are using Fixed Odds Betting Terminals. These ‘touch screen’ terminals which look similar to quiz machines in pubs and clubs, were introduced less than three years ago and have changed the face of gambling on the high street. They offer a number of games, roulette being the most popular, with a maximum prize value of £500 with each spin of the roulette wheel, which far exceeds that of traditional fruit machines. Many bookmakers claim that revenue generated from Fixed Odds Betting Terminals now exceeds over-the- counter gambling. One significant difference to fruit machines is that if you want to stop playing and cash in, you do not collect money directly from the machine. Instead a ticket is printed displaying the remaining credit (plus or minus any winnings or losses) which you then take to the shop counter to exchange. It is possible that this increases the likelihood that you will gamble until all your money has been lost.
The GamCare approach, which is fully endorsed by NORCAS, does not want to restrict the number of choices or opportunities for anyone to operate, or take part in gambling activities that are legally available in the UK. We do however ask that a few simple guidelines are kept in mind when gambling.
- You’re buying fun, not investing your money
- Before playing, set strict limits on how much time and money you’re going to spend
- Quit while you’re ahead
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose
- Don’t spend money on gambling with the hope to win back money you have lost
- Keep up other interests and hobbies, don’t let gambling take over your life
- Don’t gamble in order to escape from stress or boredom
- Above all, if you can’t afford to lose, don’t play!
Category: Uncategorized
Key Appointments at NORCAS
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | No Comments
NORCAS is pleased to announce that a busy and successful year has led to key new appointments.
Norwich
John Hughes joined the NORCAS team in April 2010 as an Alcohol Treatment Requirement
(ATR) worker. As well as delivering one-on-one and group services in Norwich and
Kings Lynn, John also co-ordinates Probation and a Trust Alcohol and Drugs Service.
James Sessa has recently joined NORCAS, in June 2010, as an Over 50’s Outreach
Service Substance Misuse Worker. James will be responsible for delivering presentations
to professionals and service users, as well as providing much needed one-on-one, group
support and advice.
Darren Capel joined NORCAS in May 2010. Darren splits his time equally between being
a Norwich Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) Housing Worker and a Norwich Homeless
Outreach Worker.
We welcomed Jo Thain to the NORCAS team in May 2010. In her role as Drug Interventions
Programme (DIP) worker, Jo offers specialist housing support, help and advice.
Great Yarmouth
Tracey Sanderson has been promoted by NORCAS to run the Drug Rehabilitation and
Alcohol Treatment Requirement groups. Tracey initially joined NORCAS as a volunteer
at NORCAS Lowestoft, before running the Archway project and was later recruited to the
Great Yarmouth Team as a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement worker. Tracey has since been
promoted due to the progress and dedication that she has shown since joining the team.
Lowestoft
Rachel Buck joined NORCAS in March. Rachel has a background in both substance misuse
and mental health so had a wealth of experience and knowledge to bring to NORCAS. As
well as managing her own cases, Rachel is also responsible for providing line and case
management for four nurses and one healthcare assistant.
David Homer joined the NORCAS team in April 2010 as a substance misuse worker.
David had previously worked as part of a drug team in Luton and consequently had
a good knowledge of drug misuse. At NORCAS, David carries out assessments and
looks after many clients on a one-on-one basis and also facilitates some of the groups.
Head Office
NORCAS was delighted to welcome Nicola Sidgwick to NORCAS in March as an HR
Business Partner. Part of Nicola’s work involves designing, implementing and monitoring
HR systems and processes to support the overall HR strategy. Nicola also provides advice,
support and administrative services to managers.
Maria Powter-Robinson joined the NORCAS team in January 2010 as an Accounts
Assistant. Maria provides an administrative service within the Finance and IT team for all
financial transactions, as well as dealing with financial information and support. In addition,
Maria delivers the payroll and makes sure that NORCAS’s vision, mission and values are
adhered to.
Donna Hunt was appointed as a Training Assistant to NORCAS’s Head Office in March
of this year. As well as administrative support, Donna also supports the Training and
Consultancy function.
Category: Uncategorized
Internal achievements at NORCAS
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | No Comments
Members of the NORCAS team have recently been successful in passing new qualifications.
NORCAS is pleased to announce that Steven Hurr a NORCAS Youth Service Worker has passed his NVQ Level 4 in Learning Development and Support Services for Young Children and those that work with them.
Steven, who is an outreach substance misuse worker within the Bury St Edmunds team, was also informed that his work would be used as a benchmark due to the high level of competency and good practice that he demonstrated. Steven has recently been appointed as a supervisor for the Youth Team.
Matt Mason, a substance misuse worker based at Waveney, has also been successful in becoming a supervisor within the Youth Team.
Our Head of Fundraising, Matt Wilson has also recently received confirmation that he has passed his six month intensive Open University course and is now a fully fledged member of the Institute of Fundraising.
Everyone at NORCAS congratulates them on their great achievements and continued hard work.
Category: Uncategorized
First ‘Friends of NORCAS’ Charity Ball A Big Success
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | No Comments
An enjoyable and successful fundraising event at which a local sporting legend was announced as Patron…
The first ever Friends of NORCAS charity ball was held on Saturday 5th June 2010 at
Dunston Hall. The event was attended by over 200 guests. The evening was a great success and raised £10,317 on the night from the charity auction
and raffle giveaway. With additional income before the evening, the total amount raised will be closer to £11,000. Popular auction prizes included an apartment in Turkey kindly donated by Us2U Consulting, An Audi A5 for the weekend kindly donated by Robinsons Audi and tea for two at the House
of Commons kindly donated by Chloe Smith MP.
Chief Executive Maggie Williams introduced a video to our guests which can be seen by
clicking on the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx9CAmNnxF8. The video is a real
story about a youth client of NORCAS and the common issues we deal with when children
are affected by their parent’s substance misuse. We were also delighted to introduce our new Patron for youth, Canaries legend Iwan Roberts. Iwan will be working with the NORCAS youth and fundraising teams to help boost the profile of our work across Norfolk and Suffolk.
The next Friends of NORCAS charity ball will be held on Friday the 17th June at Sprowston
Manor. To reserve your table now contact Matt Wilson on 01603 227053.
Category: Uncategorized
Addictive Behaviours in the Workplace
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | No Comments
It’s been a busy time for the NORCAS training team…
In May we attended the NHS Well Being conference and informed a number of well known
businesses of the benefits of ensuring a drugs and alcohol policy is given the same priority as many other policies within the workplace. For information about our workplace service and how we can help please click here.
NORCAS has also secured a long term contract with a leading private school in the East
of England to help educate and train all staff members in drugs and alcohol awareness
and harm reduction. This will be followed by a series of sessions to devise a policy set of procedures and supporting guidelines for all their members of staff to follow.
The initial success of this work has led to two other leading private schools asking to follow a similar process and become more proactive in how to deal with these issues and how to help the individuals affected.
We have a number of other exciting and innovative projects in the pipeline, news of which will follow in the next newsletter.
Category: Uncategorized
Walk, Jog or Run in Aid of NORCAS?
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | No Comments
Fancy keeping fit and fundraising for NORCAS in the process?
We have secured a place in the 2011 London Marathon and anyone who is interested in running to raise a lot of money in aid of NORCAS, please contact Matt on
m.wilson@norcas.org.uk
Category: Uncategorized
Charity Ball Success!
Posted on | June 8, 2010 | No Comments
Thanks to everyone for their support and help at our first ever charity ball. Good evening had by all and NORCAS raised £10,317!
Take a look at our Charity Ball pictures, if you attended the ball you can purchase your image securely online using credit card or by cheque.
All images will be shipped to you within 1 to 2 weeks after placing your
orders.
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/gdh/albums/events/86767
Category: Uncategorized
Nominate your favourite local charity – Sainsbury’s
Posted on | May 10, 2010 | No Comments
All Sainsbury’s supermarkets across Norfolk are asking customers to nominate a favourite local charity.
You can pick up the nomination form from any Sainsbury’s store. They require all nominations to be submitted by 19th May 2010.
They ask the following questions:
• Who do you want the charity to be?
• State how this charity makes a difference
• How does the charity address the needs of the community?
• How best can Sainsbury’s support the charity?
• Contact details of the charity if known
Can I ask everyone that shops in Sainbury’s over the next week to pick a leaflet up and fill out the information asking for NORCAS to receive support.
Perhaps you can also pick up a couple more and ask other people you know to fill in one too. Please do tell all your friends, family, colleagues about this as there are a number of stores and NORCAS could receive support from one or more of them.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
Category: Support Us
NORCAS Charity Auction
Posted on | May 7, 2010 | No Comments
A pair of QI Tickets have been sold for £315.57.
This truly is a money can’t buy prize and I must say thank you to Stephen Fry and his team for allowing us to raise money and auction such a fantastic prize on behalf of NORCAS.
The auction marks the start of our Friends of NORCAS concept and leads up to our charity ball being held at Dunston Hall on 5th June 2010. We have now sold 200 tickets but could squeeze a few more in if needed.
Category: Uncategorized
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