A NEW enhanced service offering support for people affected by someone else’s substance misuse has launched in Warrington.
Footsteps, a local family support service based in the Gateway, celebrated the launch of the new service and also celebrated its 15th anniversary of delivering services in Warrington.
The enhanced service has been commissioned by the borough council’s public health team and has an extended hours phone line in place for when a crisis may occur.
Footsteps delivers a range of individual and group sessions across the town and works with parents, partners and significant others who have been affected by their loved one’s alcohol or drug misuse.
More than 40 people celebrated the launch at The Gateway and service users shared their personal stories of Footsteps on the day:
*“Footsteps is an environment where you are never judged by anything you share, it’s confidential, we all understand each other which is different from sharing with friends who may never really understand the reality of living with a loved one with an addiction.”
*“For people who think addiction is all about the addict, I say come to Footsteps, hear the stories and see for yourself the impact this terrible illness has on the loved ones around the addict.”
*“I have often said over the years that Footsteps gave me my life back and I still stand by that today… thank-you to them for everything.”
Cllr Pat Wright, the council’s lead member for health, wellbeing and adult services, said: “The ambition of Footsteps is to support local residents in all areas of Warrington. This new enhanced offer is being delivered in response to a consultation with service users about what they wanted from their service and I’m glad we’ve been able to make it happen. It’s vital life-line for people who need some help of their own when they are supporting someone with a drug or alcohol problem.
“We would also encourage people working with families who might need some support around one of their family member’s drug or alcohol uses to signpost or refer them to Footsteps.”
Footsteps can be contacted by telephone on 01925 244524, by emailing [email protected] or by visiting the website
www.footstepsforfamilies.org
Pictured, left to right: Cathy Fitzgerald, head of service drug and alcohol action team; Cllr Pat Wright; Vicki Leigh, Footsteps business manager at the launch.
Help for those affected by substance abuse
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