Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme – Final Report
Renfrewshire Council · 17 September 2025
Back to Leadership Board — 17 September 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Leadership Board On: 17 September 2025 ______________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme – Final Report ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme Final Report (Appendix 1). The paper also provides an update on recommendations discussed at the final Alcohol and Drugs Programme officer board to continue to support activities to address alcohol and drug related harms in Renfrewshire. Given the scale and breadth of the Programme, the information provided in the Final Report is a summary overview of activity. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members: • Note the contents of this report. • Agree the proposed allocations of residual programme funding at Section 7, recommended by the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme Officer Board. • Agree the future governance arrangements for those projects which remain in delivery, as outlined in Section 7.5. _________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 In late 2018, Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Executive Group agreed to establish an independent Commission to consider the true impact of alcohol and drug use across Renfrewshire’s communities, and make
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recommendations on what partners can do together to support local people and communities. 3.2 The Alcohol and Drugs Commission undertook a “listening approach”, with an extensive programme of engagement with over 330 people, including people directly affected by alcohol and drug use, whether their own or that of family members, staff, young people, and local and national groups and organisations. 3.3 The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 caused the Commission to pause its work, however this resumed in September 2020, with the Commission’s final report being published in December 2020. The report set out the Commission’s main findings and provided 27 recommendations to guide the local response. 3.4 In anticipation of the final report being published, Renfrewshire Council agreed to allocate £2m in March 2020 to support the response to the report, including piloting new ways of working across the community planning partnership, with the opportunity to use this learning to transform current and future services and support in Renfrewshire for those affected by alcohol and drug related harms. 3.5 The report and its recommendations were endorsed by Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board, and Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Executive Group, with full support gained to respond to these recommendations on a collective basis. 3.6 The Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme was established following the publication of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission final report, with an officer programme board set up to drive the implementation of the partnership response to the Commission’s recommendations, meeting regularly, and chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive. It is important to note that this Programme was established prior to national programmes of work and funding being made available by the Scottish Government, including those linked to the National Mission on drugs. Partners have worked hard to maximise the value and outcomes achieved from this additional funding also. 3.7 The Change Programme supported a range of projects and actions, led by services and organisations across the partnership, including Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP), with others commissioned through third sector partners such as I Am Me Scotland, Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH), Turning Point Scotland, and the Scottish Recovery Consortium. The Programme also aligns with, and forms part of, the wider ongoing work taking place across Renfrewshire by partners to progress reducing alcohol and drug related harms through Renfrewshire ADP. 3.8 A summary of the programme and actions progressed is provided within the Appendices to this report.
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4. Summary of Final Report 4.1 The Final Report draws together the breadth of activity carried out by funded projects, highlighting areas of good practice and learning, as well as the difference these projects have made for service users and staff. Given the scale and span of the Programme, the information provided in the Final Report is a summary overview of activity, rather than a detailed breakdown of all work undertaken. Following overviews of each project, the Final Report considers the Programme-wide outcomes, as well as the challenges experienced in delivering the projects and actions within the Programme. 5. Key Points 5.1 The Change Programme aimed to develop projects and actions responding to the findings of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission, maximising the opportunity to use available funding to test new and innovative approaches, and using the learning to inform current and future services and support. Programme outcomes were developed, based on recurring themes from the work of the Commission and the final report, as well as linking into ongoing ADP work across Renfrewshire. The outcomes were to: • Strengthen partnership working and adopt a whole system approach. • Increase understanding of trauma and ensure it’s reflected in the way staff work across the partnership. • Value and further involve those with lived and living experience. • Increase understanding, and strengthen local data, and service insight available relating to alcohol and drugs. 5.2 The Programme has supported innovative projects, services, and initiatives, providing investment and stability to test new ideas and ways of working, and, where suitable, transition to mainstream provision, or business as usual. The continuation of these is a key legacy of the Programme. 5.3 Support for services to further value and embed lived and living experience in the design and delivery of support has led to positive outcomes and experiences for service users. 5.4 A number of projects adopted a whole system approach, focusing on people experiencing significantly complex and challenging needs, who may have already had a number of previous unsuccessful interventions. Smaller caseloads, skilled and supported practitioners, and strengthened partnership working, enabled these projects to wrap support around each individual and their needs, providing consistent support, and building trusting relationships. 5.5 Using a trauma informed approach to working has led to more positive relationships and engagement from people, who may have experienced difficulties in maintaining consistent engagement before.
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5.6 Across the projects, a key strength was the skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate workforce, with personal qualities of many of the staff highlighted as a key factor in success. 5.7 Support for the workforce is crucial, with projects undertaking measures to address staff support and their wellbeing, particularly for those supporting people experiencing significant and complex challenges. A number of resources were developed to support workforce development, knowledge, and awareness, particularly around trauma and its impact through the Trauma Informed and Responsive Renfrewshire Programme, as well as Alcohol and Substance Awareness Resources, delivered in schools across Renfrewshire, and winner of a COSLA Excellence Award in the Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health and Wellbeing category, and a Scottish Public Service Award - The Campbell Christie Public Service Reform in 2023. 5.8 The Recovery Community in Renfrewshire has significantly expanded over the last five years, with staff and volunteers in CIRCLE working with wider recovery partners to drive this success, including the Recovery Walk Scotland, which took place in Paisley on 2 September 2022. Further growth across more areas in Renfrewshire is planned over the coming months and years, building up sustainably from the success already achieved. 5.9 Challenges were experienced across the Programme, which in some areas impacted projects being delivered as originally anticipated. Many projects were able to adapt to these challenges and deliver positive outcomes for service users and staff, and in some areas, decisions were made to step down or discontinue projects, where circumstances changed, or where uptake was not as anticipated. 5.10 The funding landscape in relation to alcohol and drugs is complex. A number of different national funding streams were introduced over the lifecycle of the Programme, with multiple different funding sources, both national and local, being utilised for the delivery of a number of projects. 5.11 Measuring and evidencing impact, and being able to specifically attribute positive outcomes to individual projects or interventions is, as a result, extremely challenging, with many individuals accessing multiple different services and supports. Qualitative data has been gathered from service users who discuss the positive impact of projects on their health and wellbeing, for example, however, being able to attribute wider reductions in alcohol and drug related harms to specific interventions is more challenging to demonstrate. 5.12 £1.975m of the £2m allocated at December 2020 Leadership Board, was allocated to projects and actions, as well as officer support to co-ordinate and deliver the Programme. A number of underspends occurred throughout the duration of the Programme, for example due to maximising other sources of funding, or projects not progressing as originally anticipated. The balance that has been identified through the final stages of the Programme is £282,056.
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5.13 Figure 1. Overview of projects and actions 6. Summary of Projects and Actions Service Developments 6.1 Harm Reduction Response Team (HaRRT) – this service provided harm reduction services to individuals on an outreach, flexible, and accessible manner, to reduce the risk of overdose and other drug related harms, and proactively link individuals into treatment and support services. Managed by Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services, it was delivered through a purpose-built van, equipped with a small clinical treatment room and some medical supplies. Local data indicates that many people who die from drug related causes are not in contact with treatment services, highlighting the need for innovative ways to engage with those who may be hard to reach. Many people who use drugs can often face barriers to accessing mainstream services, for example due to fear of stigma, and lack of trust in public services. HaRRT played a key role in supporting individuals who may not be in contact with other services, providing access to harm reduction advice, equipment, and services, to support their health, safety and wellbeing. Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme funding primarily supported the staffing model for the project, with funding being provided by other sources including Renfrewshire ADP, and the Drug Deaths Taskforce. The number of contacts made to the service steadily increased throughout the duration of the project, with 596 contacts made from March 2024 to February 2025 (around 250 during period covering 2023/2024), and includes a significant number of service users who were not known to other services. This service is currently transitioning to a
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commissioned service model, with a contract authorisation report approved by Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board in June 2025, for an Alcohol and Drugs Crisis Outreach Service, for a period of two years, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. 6.2 My Life Ahead (MyLA) – this housing-led project provided holistic wraparound support to households in Renfrewshire, regardless of tenure, whose life is affected by alcohol and or drugs, and builds on the concept that in order to have good health, you need to have a good, settled home. The work of the Commission explored the disadvantages that many people face, and the difficulties they have in accessing support in a joined up way, to help them manage these complex needs. It was noted that services such as Housing often have to help people pick up the pieces in terms of crisis, and have been described as “carrying the can” for supporting those individuals with multiple and complex needs. MyLA enhanced existing housing support available, and the approach taken was to focus on particularly complex and challenging cases, who may have had many previous unsuccessful interventions, and who can at times be hard to reach, and those in precarious housing situations. Launching in May 2022, and supporting around 90 service users, the MyLA service was managed and co-ordinated by Renfrewshire Council’s Housing Support team, in partnership with Turning Point Scotland, including a member of staff who is a peer worker with lived experience of substance use issues. The project focused on providing a whole system approach to supporting its service users, building trusting relationships with those experiencing multiple and complex challenges, resulting in positive outcomes relating to tenancy sustainment, reductions in self-reported alcohol and drug use, income maximisation from grants and benefit entitlements, and improvements in health, safety and wellbeing including reductions in hospitalisations and engagement with the justice system. 6.3 CIRCLE – a Recovery Hub, delivered by Renfrewshire HSCP, for individuals affected by their mental health and/or alcohol and drug use, based on a peer- led model that involves people with lived and living experience in all aspects of service planning. Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme funding supported the expansion and development of the Peer Support Model within CIRCLE. The work of the Commission, and Whole Systems Review (2018), identified there was a gap in terms of Recovery Aftercare provision, that would allow individuals to leave treatment and care services and be supported in managing their own personal recovery aspirations. Feedback from the Commission’s engagement activity highlighted that local services could better recognise the strength of the recovery community, and that this type of support should be extended and expanded across Renfrewshire. Situated in Paisley, CIRCLE is a purposely adapted building, furnished and decorated based on service user feedback. The service is staffed by recovery workers and other skilled professionals who provide a holistic approach to recovery. Volunteers also play a vital role in the delivery of the service, providing support in various capacities, such as facilitating support groups, events, and drop-ins. The service supports around 250 people in Renfrewshire, and plans are progressing to further develop and expand the recovery community in different localities across Renfrewshire.
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6.4 Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People Partnership Programme – this project provided targeted support in a Renfrewshire school with pupils experiencing significant challenges, and were identified as at risk of missing out on education. A Principal Teacher was recruited to provide enhanced pastoral support, to around 50 young people who may be experiencing issues relating to alcohol and/or drug use (own or parental), and poor mental health, with the aim to improve outcomes relating to attendance, exclusions, and health and wellbeing. The post provided a key person in a school for the young people, and supported an alternative pathways curriculum which is bespoke to them, and helps them to develop their skills and attributes, along with creating evidence which the school can use to ensure they are accredited for their work. The project identified positive outcomes relating to pupil wellbeing and behaviour, parent/carer engagement and involvement, attendance and exclusions, as well as positive impacts for the wider school community, and increased capacity for teachers to be able to support other school pupils more comprehensively. The learning from this project has been shared across other establishments in Renfrewshire, including effective practice. 6.5 First Crisis – Alcohol and Drugs - launched in April 2022, providing intervention and support to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in relation to, or alongside, their alcohol and/or drug use. Delivered by Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH), the service built on the existing support available through the First Crisis service. The project aimed to enhance existing provision by recruiting specialist drug and alcohol practitioners, training and upskilling RAMH staff, and promoting the service to new service users. It operated a crisis intervention model, delivered predominantly through telephone support, with a helpline open 365 days a year, Monday-Friday 9am- 8pm and Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm. The total number of contacts made to the service was 3,338, with 52% being made between 12 noon-6pm. It ran for two years, with an enhanced alcohol and drug support now embedded as part of main crisis support provision provided by RAMH. 6.6 Youth Health and Wellbeing Service - The work of the Commission identified the impact that poor mental health has on individuals, and that accessing appropriate mental health support and services is a significant barrier to people experiencing issues with alcohol and drug use. Young people identified mental health service provision as a priority, and although school counselling and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are available, they felt that there still remained a gap in terms of low to moderate tiered support. This was also reflected during the engagement sessions with frontline staff. A Youth Health and Wellbeing Service was piloted from September 2022 to December 2023, and provided drop-in facilities for young people to access to both health and wellbeing support direct from health professionals, as well as offering access to a Circuit Class. Delivered once a week in the Paisley Lagoon Centre, the service complemented the wider health and wellbeing work taking place across Renfrewshire. During the delivery of the project attendances increased significantly at the start of 2023 (over 70 young people), though these were mainly accessing the circuit class on offer, with a small number attending for health and wellbeing support. The
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service paused over summer 2023 to undertake a review, including engagement with schools. Due to a pattern of lower levels of engagement than anticipated, it was decided to discontinue the service from December 2023, considering alternative ways to provide emotional health and wellbeing support within or outwith an educational setting. Partnership Initiatives and Support 6.7 Alcohol and Substance Awareness Resources – Children’s Services, in partnership with I Am Me Scotland, have developed a digital, interactive, and progressive curricular programme in alcohol and substance use for early years to senior phase, aligned to the principles of Curriculum for Excellence, and reflecting the context of alcohol and drug use within Renfrewshire. The work of the Commission highlighted the importance of prevention and early intervention in supporting young people to make positive choices around alcohol and drugs. Young people and staff working in schools noted that the inputs received during Personal and Social Education (PSE) on alcohol and drugs needed to improve, particularly in S3 and above, and young people highlighted that they would like to hear from people with lived experience, and would also like to learn about how to keep themselves and their friends safe and well. The ‘Alcohol and Substance Awareness Education’ pack, including nursery, primary, and secondary resources, has been produced with Renfrewshire Children’s Services, teachers, Police Scotland, NHS, Renfrewshire HSCP and, most importantly, children, young people, and those who have lived experience of drug and alcohol use. The resources have been made available to schools, and training has also been provided for teachers. Since launching in August 2022, lessons within the programme have been accessed by over 1,800 people in organisations across Scotland including around 450 teachers actively using it in Renfrewshire schools. In September 2023, the project won the COSLA Excellence Award in the Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health and Wellbeing category, and in December 2023 was the winner of a Scottish Public Service Award - The Campbell Christie Public Service Reform. 6.8 Trauma Informed and Responsive Renfrewshire (TIRR) – Throughout the Alcohol and Drugs Commission's work, the impact of trauma and mental health was mentioned in every conversation with people using services, their families, and also amongst frontline staff. Trauma was often cited as being the biggest barrier to recovery, and in response, it was recommended that partners further establish the local approach to trauma informed and responsive practice, champion greater understanding of the impact of trauma, and ensure it is reflected in the way that staff work across services. The TIRR Programme aims to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities, by recognising the impact that trauma can have, and mitigating or removing the barriers that this can create in accessing services, and enhancing life opportunities. Whilst the Programme initially arose from the recommendations of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission, it was agreed that the Programme should be more wide-ranging, and have a focus on reducing inequalities caused by trauma. Our local TIRR Road Map was developed in 2023, and approved by Leadership Board in February 2024, identifying key
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actions under five strategic themes. A key element of the Programme is increasing the knowledge and understanding of the workforce in relation to trauma, and how this can impact and manifest, not only when we work with people who use our services, but also how we work together as a workforce. Since 2022, around 300 members of staff have taken part in local in-person sessions, utilising training from NHS Education for Scotland resources. Feedback from these sessions has included staff being more aware of trauma in their role, having a greater understanding of why people may behave or disengage due to negative past experience, and how to use this understanding to better support people. A new training module for staff is ready for launch in Autumn 2025. 6.9 Reducing Stigma - Language Matters – the work of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission identified that partners should act robustly to eradicate stigma, and have positive recovery conversations with communities and the workforce, working with people with lived experience in Renfrewshire. Workforce training resources have been developed by I Am Me Scotland, aiming to improve the understanding, awareness, and confidence of the workforce in relation to stigmatising language around alcohol and drugs. The resources have been co-developed with the support of people with lived experience of drug and alcohol use, addiction, recovery, and the stigma associated with this. The interactive learning materials include a number of short films, including people’s personal experiences of stigma, and they encourage participants to challenge their own views, attitudes, behaviours, and language, as well as those of colleagues. Work to align the resources with current and emerging pieces of work, such as Making Every Contact Count, is currently progressing as part of the Connected Communities Programme. 6.10 Connected and Caring Renfrewshire – The Scottish Recovery Consortium (SRC), working in partnership with CIRCLE, developed a programme of events and activities throughout 2022, with the ambition of building a strong recovery community in Renfrewshire, linking with the wider community through positively promoting recovery. A Host Group involving SRC, CIRCLE, and a number of local partners, co-produced and delivered a series of local events and activities, such as Barshaw Park Gala Day, Blend Event, Live it Up in Linwood, Connected and Caring Carnival, the Art of Recovery Festival, and the Recovery Walk Scotland, which took place in Paisley on 24 September 2022 during Scotland’s celebration of International Recovery. The Programme was joint funded by Renfrewshire ADP and the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme. Around 1,300 people attended these events across Renfrewshire, with approximately 4,000 coming to the Recovery Walk in Paisley. The legacy of the Connected and Caring Renfrewshire Programme is embedded within the ADP structure as one of the subgroups. 6.11 Alcohol Policy - An HSCP Health Improvement Lead was recruited to facilitate sustainable cultural change across the community planning partners, focusing on issues such as alcohol availability, supply, and promotion, and also how employers across Renfrewshire can identify and respond to support people and their families who are affected by alcohol use. The post holder
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took over as chair of Renfrewshire Licensing Forum, providing leadership to ensure the forum met regularly. Additionally, a consultation with all members took place which shaped an action plan for the Forum. Alcohol harms have also been mapped within Renfrewshire at a neighbourhood level, to allow overprovision to be considered, as well as on other areas of concern including licensing hours, children’s and young person’s access to licensed premises, and best practice around alcohol deliveries. All community planning partners were offered bespoke support to update alcohol workplaces policies on evidence-based areas, including guidelines on corporate hospitality, education/information on the effects of alcohol, training/guidance for managers in implementing policy, support offered to employees around alcohol use, defined policy around relapse etc. This specific post came to an end at the end of September 2023, with work to progress these aims continuing with the agreement between the ADP and HSCP to fund two posts within the Health Improvement team (Health Improvement Lead and Health Improvement Senior) with dedicated capacity to focus on both alcohol and drugs. 6.12 Recovery Change Fund – The aim of the Recovery Change Fund was to support the development of local groups and organisations which provide social connection and support recovery in Renfrewshire. The Fund was also intended to provide opportunities to support piloting new ideas and projects in relation to mental health, recovery, stigma, and social isolation. Funding was made available for groups and organisations to apply for (up to £10k), against specific criteria developed, with three funding rounds over the period July 2022 to February 2023. In total, seven projects were supported: • Renfrew YMCA – Our Mind Our Space • Youth Interventions (now Youth Inspired) – YI Love Me • Street Connect - Additional Addiction Support for Kilnside Road • Glenvale AFC – Senior Club Wellness • Families Outside Ltd - Supporting children and families affected by Imprisonment • RAMH – Peer Support Worker • Blue Triangle – Smart Connections The Recovery Change Fund undertook a review over summer 2023, following lower than anticipated engagement with the Fund. It was agreed by Programme Board to discontinue the Fund in this form and explore enhancing other funding streams supporting communities, with a portion of funding being allocated to enhance the Winter Connections Programme budget. Research and Reviews 6.13 Hidden Harm - independent research was carried out by We are With You to better understand the level and nature of hidden harm in Renfrewshire from alcohol and drug use. Two surveys on social media, one focusing on drugs, the other on alcohol, took place over summer 2021. The findings were presented to the Programme Board, and Renfrewshire ADP, as well as summary information being shared with partners, to help provide a better
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understanding of issues, as well as help to inform any policies and/or service design/delivery, including the mapping of alcohol related harms. 6.14 Family Support Review - an independent review of family support services in relation to alcohol and drugs services locally was carried out by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD), to assess where possible gaps in provision exist, and to make recommendations on how these should be addressed. The work also included workforce development sessions, and a Family Recovery College course. The review engaged with three key groupings: family; community; and workforce, using a mixed methods approach combining desk research, a community survey, and one-to-one qualitative interviews with family members and practitioners. The fieldwork for the research took place in late 2021, with the report being finalised in September 2022. A working group of relevant officers undertook a mapping exercise of the findings and recommendations to identify actions for further exploration. It was agreed by the Programme Board that the review and mapping work be incorporated into the Children Affected by Alcohol and Drug Use (CAPADU) structure of the ADP, to be taken forward, and to feed into existing work exploring current provision, opportunities to address gaps, and utilise available funding. 6.15 Buildings Based Services – Back Sneddon Street Centre – Back Sneddon Street hosts the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service (ADRS). Various reviews, over a number of years, have identified a range of improvements that could be progressed. A range of actions have been explored and progressed including: • expanding use of space in other buildings across Renfrewshire to support a shift to a more community-based model • undertaking property reviews through a trauma-informed lens with service users • implementing minor improvement works, such as renovating and redecorating, which have generated improvements to the environments where people receive support Further detail on the progression of this area is provided at Section 7.4. 6.16 Evaluation – project leads gathered data and information about the progress and impact of their projects throughout the duration of the Programme, with regular updates provided to the Programme Board for monitoring and scrutiny. As noted in the Final Report, six projects within the Programme were identified as requiring a decision about future funding or mainstreaming by services, following the test of change period funded by the Programme, and were prioritised for more detailed evaluation. To support this, an external partner was commissioned (The Lines Between) to facilitate qualitative data gathering for these projects, to help better understand the impact of their work, capture learning, and to provide a level of independence to findings. Support was co-designed and tailored to each project, with fieldwork taking place with relevant staff, service users, and staff from wider partner organisations and agencies. The Final Report provides an overview of the
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projects, including information and data gathered by the project leads, as well as by The Lines Between. The structure provides an overview of the projects’ strengths, as well as the difference they have made for service users, staff, and services and organisations. 7. Final Fund Allocations and Governance Processes 7.1 An Alcohol and Drugs Programme Board was established to drive the implementation of the partnership response to the Commission’s recommendations, meeting regularly, and chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive. The final Programme Board meeting took place in May 2025 to consider the Final Report, and discuss future governance arrangements and the use of the residual Programme balance in light of its findings. 7.2 As noted in the Final Report, a number of underspends occurred throughout the duration of the Programme, for example due to maximising other sources of funding, or projects not progressing as originally anticipated. By taking a ‘tests of change’ approach and closely monitoring projects, timely decisions could be taken to cease activity if they were not meeting the outcomes as intended. As a result, there is a balance of £282,056 residual funding remaining. The May Programme Board discussed priority areas where the funding would be critical to supporting the transition of projects to mainstream provision, or if further support could help to further progress. Two specific proposals have been identified by the Programme Board and are recommended for approval as follows: 7.3 Housing Support The MyLA project came to an end in March 2025, with Housing Support Services continuing to support service users previously supported by MyLA. The service has been exploring opportunities to develop a new service model based on this learning. This has also included exploring funding opportunities on a partnership basis, engaging with the ADP and its short life working group to consider the findings of the Needs Assessment (further detail at section 8). Discussions are currently being finalised and it is proposed that 200k of the remaining funding be utilised to support the delivery of the new model. Subject to approval, it is proposed the governance arrangements for oversight of the project would form part of those noted at 7.5. 7.4 Building Based Services (Back Sneddon Street Centre) The second priority area remaining related to the provision of services at Back Sneddon Street. Whilst recognising the work that had been undertaken to improve the physical environment, officers have worked with partners to explore further opportunities, and it is proposed that the remaining £82,000 is allocated to support these works, again which may also be supported through funding contributions from other partners. 7.5 In terms of governance processes, following discussion at Programme Board, elected members are asked to note and agree that:
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• The Programme is formally closed with all necessary actions undertaken to complete this process in terms of governance/budget management. • Any projects with projected spend for 2025/26 will be subject to final monitoring and reporting through the Fairer Renfrewshire programme. • This excludes the delivery element of the Stigma/Language Matters project, which will now be incorporated into the making every contact count workstream of the Connected Communities Programme 8. Continuing the Legacy of this Programme 8.1 Renfrewshire, like the rest of Scotland, continues to have a complicated relationship with alcohol and drugs. Fully addressing this, and the lasting harms caused, is estimated by some experts to take generations. Data trends over the past five years, in Renfrewshire and across Scotland, highlight ongoing significant challenges relating to alcohol and drug use, and associated harms for individuals and families. 8.2 Reducing these harms will remain a priority for community planning partners across Renfrewshire, and we will continue to work together to address these complex challenges, working collaboratively with stakeholders, including those with lived experience, and their families. 8.3 Five years on from the work of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission, Renfrewshire ADP commissioned a Needs Assessment, to update our understanding of need and challenges experienced within Renfrewshire relating to alcohol and drug use. This included scoping existing services and resources, in order to support the identification of gaps in provision as well as assessing the demand and capacity needs. The study took place between June 2024 and February 2025, and will inform future commissioning decisions, and identify potential areas for service development and/or improvement. 8.4 The Needs Assessment was considered by the ADP Executive Group meeting in August 2025, and the ADP is now working with partners to develop a local delivery plan aligned to the findings of the needs assessment, and will organise a key stakeholder event to progress key actions. 8.5 In summary, there is much work that requires to be progressed locally, however as demonstrated in the evaluation report, the Change programme has played a key role in making sure services and partners work in different and improved ways with communities to support those impacted by alcohol and drug use. This legacy has been achieved by: • providing a unique opportunity for partners in Renfrewshire to test new ideas and ways of working - from completely new ideas, to enhancing existing service delivery, to co-producing partnership resources, and testing workforce development approaches. • supporting wider cultural change across the partnership, developing resources and capacity for the workforce to understand more, and
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adapt approaches, around trauma, stigma, and drug and alcohol use, and their impacts. The Programme also recognised the necessity of workforce support and development, particularly for those in emotionally demanding roles working with people in crisis. • the positive impact the projects have been able to achieve directly for people who use our services and their wider families, whose lives are affected by alcohol and drugs. • The further development and enhancement of the recovery community across Renfrewshire is also a key legacy, from supporting the staffing model within CIRCLE, to Connected and Caring Renfrewshire, to the continued expansion of training and capacity building for volunteers to expand the model into more localities. • The majority of projects and services developed and supported through the Change Programme are continuing beyond its lifecycle, with many of these being mainstreamed or adapted within current service delivery. 8.6 As partners in Renfrewshire ADP, we will continue to work in partnership, and use the learning from the Change Programme and this Final Report, together with the Needs Assessment, to inform the delivery plan and future work, ensuring continued support for people affected by alcohol and drug related harms in Renfrewshire. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – the paper proposes the allocation of residual Programme funding to support the initiatives outlined at Section 7, totalling £282,000. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None 3. Community/Council Planning – the paper provides an overview of partnership activities progressed through the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme, as well as future work planned through the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership. 4. Legal – the paper proposes the transfer of governance arrangements for projects continuing to draw down funding from the Programme detailed at Section 7. Subject to approval, governance arrangements for use of residual funding allocations is detailed at Section 7. 5. Property/Assets – the paper proposes funding to support improvement works to the Back Sneddon Street Centre building. 6. Information Technology – none 7. Equality & Human Rights - the paper provides an overview of partnership activities progressed through the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme, and is for noting. For the proposals relating to
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allocating residual funding, consideration of the impact of these changes for protected characteristics will be included as part of the service planning arrangements. 8. Health & Safety – none 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – none 11. Privacy Impact – none 12. Cosla Policy Position – none. 13. Children’s Rights – none 14. Climate Risk – none _________________________________________________________ Author: Laura McIntyre, Head of Policy and Partnerships ___________________________________________________________________
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Appendix 1 1 Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme Final Report 2025
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 2 Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary ........................................................................... 3 2. About the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme ........................... 7 3. Projects and Actions ........................................................................ 16 4. Impact .............................................................................................. 51 5. Future ............................................................................................... 67
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 3 1. Executive Summary The Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme was established following the publication of the Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drugs Commission final report in December 2020. Renfrewshire Council agreed to allocate £2m to support piloting new ways of working across the community planning partnership, with the opportunity to use this learning to transform current and future services and support in Renfrewshire for those affected by alcohol and drug related harms. The Change Programme supported a range of projects and actions, led by services and organisations across the partnership, including Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire HSCP, Renfrewshire ADP, with others commissioned through third sector partners such as I Am Me Scotland, RAMH, Turning Point Scotland, and the Scottish Recovery Consortium. Many of these projects were initiated prior to national programmes and related funded being put into place, including those linked to the National Mission on Drugs. The Programme also aligns with, and forms part of, the wider ongoing work taking place across Renfrewshire by partners to progress reducing alcohol and drug related harms through Renfrewshire ADP. This report draws together the breadth of activity carried out by funded projects, highlighting areas of good practice and learning, as well as the difference these projects have made for service users and staff. Following overviews of each project, the paper considers the Programme-wide outcomes, as well as the challenges experienced in delivering the projects and actions within the Programme. The final section looks towards the future of how Renfrewshire will strengthen and continue to work in partnership through the ADP to reduce alcohol and drug related harms. Key points • The Programme has supported innovative projects, services, and initiatives, providing investment and stability to test new ideas and ways of working, and transition to mainstream provision, or business as usual. The continuation of these is a key legacy of the Programme. • Support for services to further value and embed lived and living experience in the design and delivery of support has led to positive outcomes and experiences for service users.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 4 • A number of projects adopted a whole system approach, focusing on people experiencing significantly complex and challenging needs, who may have already had a number of previous unsuccessful interventions. Smaller caseloads, skilled and supported practitioners, and strengthened partnership working, enabled these projects to wrap support around each individual and their needs, providing consistent support, and building trusting relationships. • Using a trauma informed approach to working has led to more positive relationships and engagement from people, who may have experienced difficulties in maintaining consistent engagement before. • Across the projects, a key strength was the skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate workforce, with personal qualities of many of the staff highlighted as a key factor in success. • Support for the workforce is crucial, with projects undertaking measures to address staff support and their wellbeing, particularly for those supporting people experiencing significant and complex challenges. A number of resources were developed to support workforce development, knowledge, and awareness, particularly around trauma and its impact through the Trauma Informed and Responsive Renfrewshire Programme, as well as Alcohol and Substance Awareness Education Resources, delivered in schools across Renfrewshire, and winner of a COSLA Excellence Award in the Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health and Wellbeing category, and a Scottish Public Service Award - The Campbell Christie Public Service Reform in 2023. • The Recovery Community in Renfrewshire has significantly expanded over the last five years, with staff and volunteers in CIRCLE working with wider recovery partners to drive this success, including the Recovery Walk Scotland, which took place in Paisley on 2 September 2022. Further growth across more areas in Renfrewshire is planned over the coming months and years, building up sustainably from the success already achieved. • Challenges were experienced across the Programme, which in some areas impacted projects being delivered as originally intended. Many projects were able to adapt to these challenges and deliver positive outcomes for service users and staff, and in some areas, decisions were made to step down or discontinue projects, where circumstances changed, or where uptake was not as anticipated.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 5 • The funding landscape in relation to alcohol and drugs is complex. A number of different national funding streams were introduced over the lifecycle of the Programme, with multiple different funding sources, both national and local, being utilised for the delivery of a number of projects. • Measuring and evidencing impact, and being able to specifically attribute positive outcomes to individual projects or interventions is extremely challenging, with many individuals accessing multiple different services and supports. Qualitative data has been gathered from service users who discuss the positive impact of projects on their health and wellbeing, for example, however, being able to attribute wider reductions in alcohol and drug related harms to specific interventions is more challenging to demonstrate. Future Renfrewshire, like the rest of Scotland, continues to have a complicated relationship with alcohol and drugs. Fully addressing this, and the lasting harms caused, is likely to take generations. Data trends over the past five years, in Renfrewshire and across Scotland, highlight ongoing significant challenges relating to alcohol and drug use, and associated harms for individuals and families. The priority of Renfrewshire ADP remains to reduce these harms, and partnership working between key members such as Renfrewshire HSCP, Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, the local third sector, and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, will continue strengthening efforts to address these complex challenges, working collaboratively with stakeholders, including those with lived experience, and their families. Five years on from the work of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission, Renfrewshire ADP commissioned a Needs Assessment, to update our understanding of need and challenges experienced within Renfrewshire relating to alcohol and drug use. The Needs Assessment was considered by the ADP Executive Group meeting in August 2025, and the ADP is now working with partners to develop a local delivery plan aligned to the findings of the Needs Assessment, and will organise a key stakeholder event to progress key actions. The Change Programme provided a unique opportunity for partners in Renfrewshire to test new ideas and ways of working. The projects and initiatives partners brought forward all had a focus on improving the lives of people affected by alcohol and drug
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 6 use, drawing on learning from the extensive engagement and information gathering of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission. These ranged from completely new ideas, to enhancing existing service delivery, to co-producing partnership resources, and testing workforce development approaches. The projects also addressed a continuum of need, from early intervention with children and young people, to those currently experiencing crisis and complex needs, to peer-led recovery-based activities and support. A key legacy of the Change Programme is the organisational change this Programme encouraged: a culture of testing, learning, and making evidence-based decisions on whether to continue or discontinue new ideas. The Programme support and funding allowed space for partners to try new ways of working, which would likely not have been possible within existing service budgets. Other services and organisations can benefit from the learning captured, to begin or scale up approaches tested throughout the Programme. Supporting wider cultural change across the partnership is also a key legacy, developing resources and capacity for the workforce to understand more, and adapt approaches, around trauma, stigma, and drug and alcohol use, and their impacts. The Programme also recognised the necessity of workforce support and development, particularly for those in emotionally demanding roles working with people in crisis. Another key legacy is the positive impact the projects have been able to achieve directly for people who use our services and their wider families, whose lives are affected by alcohol and drugs. Many people experiencing very complex and challenging needs were supported through whole system approaches adopted by projects, leading to positive engagement and outcomes, where they may not have previously sustained engagement with services. Other projects were able to enhance existing staffing models to ensure stability, and in some cases embed lived experience in service design and delivery, increasing the positive impact of projects. A number of resources were co- produced with people with lived experience, which will continue to be built on and used throughout the partnership, and beyond. The further development and enhancement of the recovery community across Renfrewshire is also a key legacy, from supporting the staffing model within CIRCLE, to Connected and Caring Renfrewshire, to the continued expansion of training and capacity building for volunteers to expand the model into more localities.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 7 The majority of projects and services developed and supported through the Change Programme are continuing beyond its lifecycle, either in full, or in part, building on the positive environment for testing new approaches, and continuing to make a positive difference for service users and staff. The level of activities that have been mainstreamed is a key marker in gauging the success of the Change Programme, and ensures a positive legacy of the work partners have worked hard to achieve. The Change Programme leaves a legacy of organisational learning and cultural change, as well as the direct positive impact for people affected by alcohol and drug use. As partners in Renfrewshire ADP, we will continue to work in partnership, and use the learning from the Change Programme and this Final Report, together with the Needs Assessment, to inform the delivery plan and future work, ensuring continued support for people affected by alcohol and drug related harms in Renfrewshire. 2. About the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2.1. Background In late 2018, Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Executive Group agreed to establish an independent Commission to consider the true impact of alcohol and drug use across Renfrewshire’s communities, and make recommendations on what partners can do together to support local people and communities. The Alcohol and Drugs Commission undertook a “listening approach”, with an extensive programme of engagement with over 330 people involved, including people directly affected by alcohol and drug use, whether their own or that of family members, staff, young people, and local and national groups and organisations. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 caused the Commission to pause its work, however this resumed in September 2020, with the Commission’s final report being published in December 2020.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 8 The report set out the Commission’s main findings and provided 27 recommendations to guide the local response. The report and its recommendations were endorsed by Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board, and Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Executive Group, with full support gained to respond to these recommendations on a collective basis. Prior to the report’s publication, Council allocated £2m of funding in March 2020 to support the emerging recommendations of the Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drugs Commission. In December 2020, Council agreed initially to allocate £1.34m of the £2m allocated funding to support a range of projects aiming to pilot new ways of working across the community planning partnership, with the opportunity to use this learning to transform the way in which people receive support across Renfrewshire. Following further allocations to projects agreed at various Leadership Board meetings from December 2021 to February 2024, £1.975m was allocated to a range of projects. Key Findings • High levels of harm exist in Renfrewshire • Supporting people with complex needs is a priority • Mental health support is hard to access or not there at all • Alcohol and drugs surround people whether they want them to or not • There is strength in local communities to support recovery Recommendations –Themes • Risk of Harm • Mental Health • Prevention and Early Intervention • Young People and Families • Recovery, Relationships and Connections
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 9 2.2. Wider Developing Context The context in which the Change Programme was working within developed significantly over the last five years.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 10 2.2.1. COVID-19 Pandemic Impact The final stages of Commission, and early stages of development of the Programme and projects within it, were during acute stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This had an impact on the ability to develop and deliver projects and actions to respond to the Commission’s findings, with staff and resources being deployed to address areas related to directly responding to the pandemic, and restrictions altering the way services were delivered. As restrictions eased, the delivery of services was also impacted by supply chain and cost inflation issues linked to the war in Ukraine, and the wider cost of living crisis, in relation to food and fuel costs in particular. The pandemic fundamentally changed how the Council and partners work, and how many services are delivered, with some impacts continuing to be felt, particularly financial pressures, which are being experienced across the public sector. 2.2.2. Financial Challenges in Public Sector The Council and wider partners continue to face financial challenges to make significant savings after many years of already delivering substantial efficiencies, and reduction in spending. Alongside this, communities are experiencing a cost-of-living crisis, and the demand for services is higher than ever before. 2.2.3. National Policy Landscape The wider national policy and funding landscape has changed significantly over the duration of the Change Programme, with the National Mission being announced shortly after the Commission’s final report. National Mission The month following the publication of the Commission’s final report, the Scottish Government announced a new National Mission to reduce drug deaths and harms, supported by £250m funding between 2021-2026. Funding was allocated to areas such as: support to implement the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards; residential rehabilitation; whole family approach frameworks; stabilisation placements; increasing engagement with those with lived experience; as well as additional funding for Alcohol and Drug Partnerships. The Drug Deaths Taskforce published its final report
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 11 in 2022, with the Scottish Government outlining an action plan and new announcements to support addressing the findings, such as ring-fenced funding to support specific primary care drug treatment services, additional stabilisation and crisis care funding, and a Stigma Action Plan. National focus and funding support to help address alcohol and drug related harms has been welcome, and many of the areas identified at a national level have reflected local findings through the Commission and the Whole Systems review work carried out in Renfrewshire in 2018, such as the importance of having a trauma-informed workforce, and embedding lived experience in how services are developed and delivered. Part of the National Mission also included providing funding support to groups and organisations to deliver activities to support those affected by alcohol and drug use, administered through the Corra Foundation, which was also identified as a priority in Renfrewshire. The National Trauma Transformation Programme also further developed over the lifecycle of this Change Programme, with funding being made available to support the national Programme aims, and creating additional capacity to widen the original intentions for Renfrewshire’s approach. The changing landscape at a national level in relation to policy and funding availability in a number of areas, led to changes in how some projects within the Change Programme were originally anticipated to be delivered. Recognising this, projects have been able to adapt and test out new ideas and ways of working, benefiting from funding allocated by Council, as well as wider funding, and take learning from these going forward across the partnership. 2.2.4. Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Review and Needs Assessment The landscape in terms of ongoing partnership working, reporting and governance arrangements around alcohol and drugs has been, and remains, fairly complex across the country. The main vehicle for partnership working in Renfrewshire is the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP). Renfrewshire ADP leads the development and delivery of a local comprehensive and evidence-based strategy to address alcohol and drug related harms, working collaboratively with key members, including individuals with lived and living experience, as well as families, and representatives from Renfrewshire HSCP, Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, the local third sector,
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 12 and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The ADP is responsible for commissioning and developing local plans to reduce the impact of problematic alcohol and drug use and promoting recovery, based on an assessment of local needs. In 2023, Renfrewshire ADP agreed to undertake a review of the role and membership of the ADP. An external consultant was commissioned to facilitate the review, resulting in a number of recommendations, including the appointment of an Independent Chair in August 2023. A key priority for the Independent Chair has been to review the local governance structures which supports the work of the ADP. In addition to this, a Needs Assessment was commissioned in April 2024, with the aim of mapping out current services for people affected by alcohol and other drug use, identifying any gaps, and highlighting where services could be improved or expanded. The Needs Assessment was presented to the August 2025 ADP Executive Group meeting, and the ADP is working with partners to develop a local delivery plan aligned to the findings of the needs assessment, and will organise a key stakeholder event to progress key actions. 2.3. Programme Development Alcohol and Drugs Commission Themes The Commission’s final report findings and recommendations are aligned under the below themes, with the overarching findings for each theme available here. • Risk of Harm • Mental Health • Prevention and Early Intervention • Young People and Families • Recovery, Relationships and Connections Actions and projects were developed to help address these findings and recommendations. Some projects involve, for example, commissioning research/service reviews to enhance local knowledge and understanding, developing partnership-wide initiatives and support, and others focus on developing a service on a Test of Change basis, to pilot new ideas and ways of working.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 13 Projects Summary Risk of Harm Mental Health Prevention and Early Intervention Young People and Families Recovery, Relationships and Connections HaRRT MyLA Hidden Harm Building Based Services Trauma Informed and Responsive Renfrewshire First Crisis – Alcohol and Drugs Youth Health and Wellbeing Service Alcohol and Substance Awareness Education Resources Alcohol Policy Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People Prg Family Support Review CIRCLE Connected and Caring Renfrewshire Stigma/Language Matters Recovery Change Fund Note many projects have elements across multiple themes Aims of the Change Programme • develop projects and actions responding to the findings of the Commission’s report • maximise the opportunity to use available funding to test new and innovative approaches, and use the learning to inform current and future services and support
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 14 Programme Level Outcomes Programme outcomes were developed, based on recurring themes from the work of the Commission and the final report, as well as linking into ongoing ADP work across Renfrewshire: 1. Strengthen partnership working and adopt a whole system approach 2. Increase understanding of trauma and ensure it’s reflected in the way staff work across the partnership 3. Value and further involve those with lived and living experience 4. Increase understanding, and strengthen local data, and service insight available relating to alcohol and drugs Projects supported by the Change Programme have their own project aims, and, where possible, align to the Programme level outcomes above. Programme Board An Alcohol and Drugs Programme Board was established to drive the implementation of the partnership response to the Commission’s recommendations, meeting regularly, and chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive. The role of the Programme Board was to ensure oversight of the Change Programme projects, review and agree all activities and funding proposals, and ensure updates were provided on related activities through appropriate governance structures, with updates provided regularly to Leadership Board.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 15 How was the funding used? £1.975m of the £2m was allocated to projects and actions, as well as support to deliver them. A number of underspends occurred throughout the duration of the Programme, for example due to maximising other sources of funding, or projects not progressing as originally intended. By taking a ‘tests of change’ approach and closely monitoring projects, timely decisions could be taken to cease activity if they were not meeting the outcomes as intended.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 16 3. Projects and Actions This section summarises the projects and actions supported by the Programme. The first six projects covered within the report were identified by the Programme Board as requiring a decision about future funding or mainstreaming by services, following the test of change period funded by the Programme, and were prioritised for more detailed evaluation. To support this, an external partner was commissioned (The Lines Between) to facilitate qualitative data gathering for these projects, to help better understand the impact of their work, capture learning, and to provide a level of independence to findings. Support was co-designed and tailored to each project, with fieldwork taking place with relevant staff, service users, and staff from wider partner organisations and agencies. The below provides an overview of the projects, including information and data gathered by the project leads, as well as by The Lines Between. The structure provides an overview of the projects’ strengths, as well as the difference they have made for service users, staff, and services and organisations.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 17 3.1. My Life Ahead (MyLA) MyLA is a housing-led project providing holistic wraparound support to households in Renfrewshire, regardless of tenure, whose life is being affected by alcohol and or drugs, and builds on the concept that in order to have good health, you need to have a good, settled home. The work of the Commission, and the Hard Edges report, explored the disadvantages that many people face, and the difficulties they have in accessing support in a joined up way, to help them manage these complex needs. It was noted that services such as Housing, often have to help people pick up the pieces in terms of crisis, and have been described as “carrying the can” for supporting those individuals with multiple and complex needs. MyLA enhances existing housing support available, and the approach taken is to focus on particularly complex and challenging cases, who may have had many previous unsuccessful interventions, and who can at times be hard to reach, and those in precarious housing situations. Launching in May 2022, and supporting around 90 service users, the MyLA service is managed and co-ordinated by Renfrewshire Council’s Housing Support team, in partnership with Turning Point Scotland. One member of staff is a peer worker with lived experience of substance use issues. A key aim of the project, MyLA has played a significant role in stabilising the housing situations of many service users. Practical assistance, such as helping to manage rent arrears, finances, utilities etc., alongside emotional support, and help to access other services and support, has helped service users maintain their tenancies, with evictions being significantly reduced and almost eliminated. Stabilising housing situations Strengths o Flexible, person-centred support, delivered in a trauma informed way o Staff with lived experience o Support for staff o Collaboration and partnership working What difference has it made?
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 18 Many of the individuals referred to MyLA are living in poor quality housing conditions, with significant problems related to the fabric and quality of their home and furnishings. MyLA staff support service users to address these issues, including helping service users to apply for funding to furnish their homes, and arranging deep cleans. While this has resulted in clear benefits for service users’ quality of life, improvements in living conditions have increased the sense of pride people have in their home, which makes them more committed to sustaining their tenancy. In addition, service users have been supported to maximise their income through grant and benefits entitlements, as well as support to access foodbanks. A significant number of those supported by MyLA have reported a reduction in their alcohol and drug use since being referred to the service. People are supported, often accompanied by staff to provide moral support, to take steps towards treatment and recovery, with referrals to wider support such as the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service (ADRS), CIRCLE, Community Mental Health Teams, INVEST Renfrewshire, Impact Arts – Make it your Own, as well as rehabilitation facilities, leisure activities, counselling, and healthcare. Service users report a sense of feeling ‘looked after’ and emotionally supported by staff, with regular phone calls, text messages, and welfare checks. People interviewed by the external partner felt that MyLA provides a level of intensive, persistent, and assertive outreach support that other services don’t necessarily have the capacity or resource to provide. It was also considered unique in that it supports individuals who are not typically covered by generic council housing services, addressing a gap in support for people in private lets or housing associations as well as council tenants. Interviewees agreed that the frontline support and intervention work offered by MyLA helps to prevent the escalation of problems and subsequent involvement of other public services, including the NHS, police, social work, mental health services, and justice system. This can alleviate pressure on other services and saves time, resource, and money. Improving quality of life and living conditions Improving health, safety, and wellbeing Addressing gaps in support and relieving pressure on other services
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 19 A key strength of the project was the establishment of a Complex Cases working group, comprising partners from various services, meeting regularly to discuss the complex needs of service users. Stronger relationships between the services resulted in faster referrals, reduced delays in accessing support, and quicker interventions when service users are in crisis. Case Study example included on page 53. 3.2. Harm Reduction Response Team (HaRRT) The HaRRT service provides harm reduction services to individuals on an outreach, flexible, and accessible manner, to reduce the risk of overdose and other drug related harms, and proactively links individuals into treatment and support services. It is managed by ADRS, and delivered through a purpose-built van which is equipped with a small clinical treatment room and some medical supplies. Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme funding primarily supported the staffing model for the project, with funding being provided by other sources including Renfrewshire ADP, and the Drug Deaths Taskforce. The number of contacts made to the service has steadily increased throughout the duration of the project, with 596 contacts made from March 2024 to February 2025 (around 250 during period covering 2023/2024). Strengths o Skilled and compassionate practitioners o Flexible, mobile service delivery o Effective use of data o Discreet nature of the service “I know within myself if it wasn’t for the MyLA service I wouldn’t be where I am, my house would still be a riot, and I could literally be on the streets. The reason I’ve came off the drink and stayed off and got my flat sorted is due to the support from the guys at MyLA. Without support I would have done nothing and went back to the drink. I’m not killing myself anymore and I’m positive about my future for once.” MyLA Service User
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 20 Local data indicates that many people who die from drug related causes are not in contact with treatment services, highlighting the need for innovative ways to engage with those who may be hard to reach. Many people who use drugs can often face barriers to accessing mainstream services, for example due to fear of stigma, and lack of trust in public services. HaRRT plays a key role in supporting individuals who may not be in contact with other services, providing access to harm reduction advice, equipment, and services, to support their health, safety and wellbeing, including: • The provision and disposal of sterile injecting equipment • Dried blood spot testing, and support to access treatment if conditions are detected. • Naloxone1 provision and advice • Advice and education on safe injecting techniques and access to an AccuVein2 device. The service operates out of hours as well as weekends, and its proactive outreach approach offers convenience and comfort to service users, helping to build relationships, maximise buy in, and sustain engagement with the service. This has resulted in a significant number of service users who are not known to other services; for instance, within the past year, a third of contacts were made with individuals not open to ADRS. 1 Naloxone is a fast-acting drug used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid overdoses 2 AccuVein is a handheld, non-contact vein illumination system Harm reduction What difference has it made? “It's somebody to talk to, not to judge… I've been in hospital, and I've felt really judged. Whereas when I've been with them, and I've never felt judged by any of them.” HaRRT Service user “I think it's a god send… I wouldn’t have found out I had Hepatitis if it wasn’t for them doing this work, so it's really good, it does work.” HaRRT Service user
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 21 The service also contributes to improvements in other aspects of service users’ health, including their personal safety and mental and physical wellbeing. For example, the team undertake regular welfare check ins on vulnerable service users, particularly those in volatile or crisis situations, such as those at risk of overdose, and those experiencing housing precarity or domestic violence. HaRRT also plays a key role in linking service users in with addictions and treatment services to help them address substance use issues. The team also help to build confidence and self-esteem among service users. A service user consulted described a recent conversation with a member of staff, who provided words of encouragement about her future. She reflected on her desire to help others struggling with addiction and said the staff helped to boost her motivation to stop using drugs. Scotland’s Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards define what is needed for the consistent delivery of safe and accessible drug treatment and support in Scotland. The standards apply to all services and organisations responsible for the delivery of care in a recovery orientated system. HaRRT significantly contributes to Renfrewshire ADRS’s compliance with the MAT standards. Given the nature of HaRRT’s work, many of these examples relate to MAT 4, which requires that people are offered evidence-based harm reduction at the point of MAT delivery. However, the service has also contributed to adherence with other MAT standards, such as MAT 1: ‘all people accessing services have the option to start MAT from the same day of presentation’, as the HaRRT’s out of hours and weekend provision, and close links with ADRS helps to facilitate same day prescribing Improving safety, health and wellbeing Contributing to MAT standards “I find with so many of our service users, they have such low self-esteem, and just instilling a little bit of trust and a little bit of self-esteem on them every day through motivation and praise, you see quite quickly what an effect it can have.” HaRRT Team member
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 22 HaRRT’s work in responding to non-fatal overdoses (NFODs) supports progress in relation to MAT 3, which requires that people at high risk of drug-related harm are proactively identified and offered support to commence or continue MAT. From March 2024 to February 2025, HaRRT responded to 64 Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) referrals for NFODs. Following a deep dive exercise carried out by Renfrewshire ADP, it was found that during November 2024 to January 2025, all referrals had an attempted contact within 48 hours of HaRRT being aware of the referral. The HaRRT team interact with many other services and have developed strong working relationships with a range of agencies as a result. People interviewed by the external partner discussed effective collaboration, ongoing communication and referrals between HaRRT and other services including the SAS, GPs, addictions and treatment services, homelessness and housing services, community safety teams, third sector services, and advocacy teams. HaRRT's collaboration with other services helps to ensure that service users receive comprehensive, joined up care and support from multiple sources. A key strength of the project was the effective use of data to inform service delivery. The HaRRT team respond to trends in local data, such as common times and locations of incidents and groups of people who are most at risk. A Case Study example is provided at page 60. More joined up, integrated care
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 23 3.3. Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People Partnership Programme This project provides targeted support in a Renfrewshire school with pupils experiencing significant challenges, and are identified as at risk of missing out on education. A Principal Teacher (PT) has been recruited to provide enhanced pastoral support, to around 50 young people who may be experiencing issues relating to alcohol and/or drug use (own or parental), and poor mental health, with the aim to improve outcomes relating to attendance, exclusions, and health and wellbeing. The post provides a key person in the school (Gleniffer High School) for the young people, and supports an alternative pathways curriculum which is bespoke to them, and helps them to develop their skills and attributes, along with creating evidence which the school can use to ensure they are accredited for their work. People interviewed by the external partner noted the strength of the relationships that the PT has built with pupils, and the clear positive impact that this has had on their wellbeing, particularly self-esteem, a more positive demeanour, and greater levels of confidence and self-belief. Pupils generally described themselves as feeling happier, whether due to having a positive relationship with the PT; the impact of having a person to talk to; or through the sense of achievement and motivation they were gaining from their progress. Improved self-esteem, behaviour, and relationships within school has increased the sense of belonging of the pupils within the school. They no longer saw the school as a source of conflict, and some pupils even felt more motivated by school. What difference has it made? Improving wellbeing and behaviour Strengths o Principal Teacher’s qualities and approach o Connections with partners o Flexibility to shape the role o More time and a smaller caseload
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 24 People interviewed placed emphasis on the work the PT has done to build relationships with parents and families, and to re-engage them with both school staff and their children’s education. Some parents’ perceptions of school, which may have been shaped by their own perhaps negative experiences of education, have been changed by the PT, resulting in increased engagement and a positive impact on attendance. Overall, 56% of pupils involved showed an improvement in attendance, with one particular pupil, their attendance increased from 23% to 95%. Pupils mentioned how they had previously avoided class, sometimes through anxiety, and that working with the PT had encouraged them to re-engage with their education. Parents described how they did not think their child would be in school at all, without the support of the PT. Some pupils said that knowing they could visit the PT encouraged them to attend school. For 43 of the pupils, there has also been a reduction in exclusion incidents from 2022/23 to 2023/24, with the number of incidents reducing from 71 to 32 (55%). Many of the pupils showed increased levels of attainment, and were set to leave school with a much greater number of qualifications than anticipated. The school has already seen strong evidence of improvements in positive destinations achieved in the PT’s caseload of pupils, with teaching staff attributing this to the tailored support pupils have received. Increasing parent/carer engagement and involvement “I think the families needed that support, that one contact and that one go-to person. Because with [PT] having a smaller caseload she can work with the families more intensely and get that day-to-day feedback that sometimes we just don't have the capacity for. Because they need contact every single day.” Teaching Staff “There's a champion in the school that's got their back, that will hold them to account and hold them to high levels of accountability, but with appropriate support to be able to cope with that.” Teaching Staff
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 25 The project has also led to positive impacts for the wider school community, with an increased focus on de-escalation, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation for the pupils supported having the effect of improving behaviour among their wider peer groups. The project has also allowed for increased capacity for teachers to be able to support other school pupils more comprehensively. 3.4. CIRCLE CIRCLE is a Recovery Hub, delivered by Renfrewshire HSCP, for individuals affected by their mental health and/or alcohol and drug use, based on a peer-led model that involves people with lived and living experience in all aspects of service planning. Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme funding supported the expansion and development of the Peer Support Model within CIRCLE. The work of the Commission, and Whole Systems Review (2018), identified there was a gap in terms of Recovery Aftercare provision, that would allow individuals to leave treatment and care services and be supported in managing their own personal recovery aspirations. Feedback from the Commission’s engagement activity highlighted that local services could better recognise the strength of the recovery community, and that this type of support should be extended and expanded across Renfrewshire. Situated in Paisley, CIRCLE is a purposely adapted building, furnished and decorated based on service user feedback. The service is staffed by recovery workers and other skilled professionals who provide a holistic approach to recovery. Volunteers also play a vital role in the delivery of the service, providing support in various capacities, such as facilitating support groups, events, and drop-ins. The service supports around 250 people in Renfrewshire. Positive impact on wider school community Strengths o Safe, welcoming environment o Peer support model o Staff and volunteers with lived experience o Flexible, holistic support delivered in a trauma- informed way o Signposting to other services o The volunteer pathway
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 26 CIRCLE has been successful in creating a supportive, non-judgemental environment, where clients can engage with a community of peers and activities. Ultimately this has had a positive impact on the recovery process of service users. Service users interviewed by the external partner described a renewed sense of motivation and purpose, and mental health staff reported that previous patients were maintaining sobriety. Interviewees praised the positive effects of CIRCLE, particularly the experience and skills gained through the volunteer pathway, on service users' next destinations in their recovery journey. These included moving on to employment, training, or education. A recurring theme among those interviewed was the increased confidence and self- esteem built by service users. Some had demonstrated a dramatic change since starting to use the service, which was fundamental in helping them to move forward in their recovery. For some, they regained this confidence through taking part in activities that they found particularly meaningful or inspirational, such as music. For others, the peer network and role models had increased their confidence to take on opportunities like volunteering. Many service users have found that attending CIRCLE has helped them put in place positive new lifestyle habits that have helped them in their recovery. Having a routine and a sense of purpose was frequently mentioned as a positive impact. Some clients What difference has it made? Supporting successful recovery journeys Increasing confidence and self-esteem “I loved working with others creatively and sharing my skills and ideas and all the spark seemed to come back and gave me a purpose and drive to work on recovery and in the arts because of how critical it is to the recovery process.” CIRCLE Service User Improving lifestyle and habits
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 27 have also taken part in groups that are motivating them to look after their physical health too, such as a football group. The service has also helped service users build more positive social relationships, and helped them to feel less isolated, ultimately aiding in their recovery. As part of the holistic approach, CIRCLE utilises connections with other services to signpost clients to other services. Staff proactively maintain links with both mental health and other external support services, and have built a robust network. It is recognised that solving any practical issues experienced by service users is equally important to their recovery, linking in with assistance with rent arrears, employability services, benefit claims, housing, homeless services, and with organisations such as Moneywise, Invest, and First Advocacy. Those interviewed discussed how CIRCLE has allowed service users a route out of statutory services, having been successfully discharged and taken off the community mental health caseload. Staff compared this with a past reliance on recovery through “When I started in CIRCLE, I was doing it in a voluntary capacity. I had addiction issues myself and I've been able to come in, not just utilise the service as a job and as development, but embody what I've learned and what I can do to help other people.” CIRCLE Staff Strengthening the wider recovery network Relieving pressure on other services “After spending ten years being passed about between services and fighting to get help, I came here and I just felt accepted and understood and no pressure to be anything other than myself.” CIRCLE Service User
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 28 methadone as part of Renfrewshire Drug Service, which had created a bottleneck in statutory services. Engagement with CIRCLE has also reduced service user re-referrals back into statutory services. Interviewees agreed that the service offered by CIRCLE alleviates pressure on other services and saves time, resources and money. A key strength of the project was the involvement of those with lived experience as part of service design and delivery. A Case Study example is provided at page 59. Bothy Project at CIRCLE
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 29 3.5. First Crisis – Alcohol and Drugs First Crisis – Alcohol and Drugs launched in April 2022, providing intervention and support to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in relation to, or alongside, their alcohol and/or drug use. Delivered by Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH), the service built on the existing support available through the First Crisis service. The project aimed to enhance existing provision by recruiting specialist drug and alcohol practitioners, training and upskilling RAMH staff, and promoting the service to new service users. It operated a crisis intervention model, delivered predominantly through telephone support, with a helpline open 365 days a year, Monday-Friday 9am-8pm and Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm. It ran for two years, with enhanced alcohol and drug support now embedded as part of main crisis support provision. The total number of contacts made to the service was 3,338, with 52% being made between 12 noon-6pm. One of the project’s key achievements was improving the support available for individuals in Renfrewshire experiencing distress or crisis in relation to alcohol and/or drug use. The additional out of hours provision offered to people experiencing an alcohol- or drug-related crisis has provided them with access to immediate support and intervention, preventing escalation of crisis and further distress or potential harm. By enhancing the service’s ability to support and respond to the needs of those facing crisis due to alcohol and drug use, a gap in support has been addressed. In addition, the What difference has it made? Strengths o Staff Development o Addressing a vital gap in support o Increased profile “First crisis saved me at my lowest point when I wasn't receiving proper support... really understood me and were able to calm me down and level me out when I was feeling suicidal. I can't thank the service enough I might not be here if it wasn't for you all. Thank you!’ Service User Addressing a gap in support
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 30 project was able to connect service users with other forms of support; throughout the test of change period, onward referrals were made to a large range of external agencies and third sector organisations, including RCA Trust, GPs, Social Work, and community links. The majority of onward referrals were made to Community Mental Health Team (19%), and ADRS/CIRCLE (18%). The project enabled the First Crisis team to pursue a range of training and skills development opportunities, including: • shadowing and learning activities with various partners, including Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire ADRS, social work, and third sector partners. • bespoke, multi-agency drug awareness training delivered by the Scottish Drugs Forum, which covered legislation, current drug trends, harm reduction, person-first language, and practical strategies for service delivery. Part of this work informed the development of RAMH’s Trauma informed Practice Development ‘Small Change BIG Impact’, contributing to the development and delivery of trauma-informed and responsive support across Renfrewshire. These opportunities were described as highly valuable, with interviewees commenting on the high quality of the training delivered. The training courses successfully enhanced the skills, awareness and knowledge of the staff, particularly in relation to working with individuals under the influence of drug and alcohol. This was described as one of the key legacies of the project, with the upskilled staff continuing to apply their acquired knowledge and skills to effectively support service users. An asset mapping exercise was carried out as part of this project, with specific focus on services/community assets which could support individuals experiencing a crisis in their alcohol and/or drug use in relation to their mental health. The development of the Renfrewshire Wellbeing Map with consultation and amendment from individuals with lived experience also proved an effective way to share information, not only to support service user’s recovery journeys and development of self-management skills, but also in relation to partnership involvement and service promotion. Upskilling the workforce Renfrewshire Wellbeing Map
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 31 3.6. Alcohol and Substance Awareness Education Resources Children’s Services, in partnership with I Am Me Scotland, have developed a digital, interactive, and progressive curricular programme in alcohol and substance use for early years to senior phase, aligned to the principles of Curriculum for Excellence, and reflecting the context of alcohol and drug use within Renfrewshire. The work of the Commission highlighted the importance of prevention and early intervention in supporting young people to make positive choices around alcohol and drugs. Young people and staff working in schools noted that the inputs received during Personal and Social Education (PSE) on alcohol and drugs needed to improve, particularly in S3 and above, and young people highlighted that they would like to hear from people with lived experience, and would also like to learn about how to keep themselves and their friends safe and well. The ‘Alcohol and Substance Awareness Education’ pack, including nursery, primary, and secondary resources, has been produced with Renfrewshire Children’s Services, Strengths o Influence of lived experience o Pre-planned lessons o Interactive nature of the resources o High quality, relatable and relevant content o Transparency
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 32 Teachers, Police Scotland, NHS, Renfrewshire HSCP and, most importantly, children, young people, and those who have lived experience of drug and alcohol use. The resources have been made available to schools, and training has also been provided for teachers. Since launching in August 2022, lessons within the programme have been accessed by over 1,800 people in organisations across Scotland including around 450 teachers actively using it in Renfrewshire schools. School staff reported that pupils engaged well with the resources and had retained knowledge about what they learned in the lessons. They agreed that the project has successfully increased knowledge and understanding of the potential harms of alcohol and substances among pupils. Pupils consulted during the data collection activity clearly demonstrated knowledge around relevant terminology and the risks of using alcohol and substances, both in terms of long-term health consequences (i.e. cancer, tooth decay) and more immediate dangers (e.g. overdose or drugs laced with contaminants). In addition, many shared examples of what they had learned about how to protect themselves from alcohol and substance use harm, such as strategies to resist peer pressure and when to escalate situations to a trusted adult. The educational materials available to teachers in Renfrewshire around alcohol and substances prior to the development of the new resources were noted as underused and in need of updating. Access to a local authority-wide shared resource has allowed schools across Renfrewshire to deliver alcohol and substance education in a consistent and coherent way. The consistency offered by having centralised, standardised materials has resulted in teachers feeling more confident about delivering alcohol and What difference has it made? Increasing knowledge and understanding More consistent teaching
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 33 substance use education to pupils. 100% of teachers/Early Years practitioners who participated in the launch training strongly agreed or agreed that the professional learning had met their needs with 100% providing improved post-training confidence ratings in being able to support young people in learning about alcohol and substance use. Teachers described how the resources had encouraged some pupils to open up about substance related issues they were facing, including concerns about friends using substances or issues with drugs and alcohol at home. In some cases, this has resulted in further action being taken or additional support being offered. Some teachers also said that discussions prompted by the resources have helped to challenge stigma about alcohol and substance use among young people. In September 2023, the project won the COSLA Excellence Award in the Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health and Wellbeing category, and in December 2023 was the winner of a Scottish Public Service Award - The Campbell Christie Public Service Reform More open dialogue and less stigma “It's not just the teacher saying it, it's somebody else talking. And I think what they like is that quite often the voices are young people. So the young people relate to that because it's not another adult telling us about don't vape, don't do this type thing, I think they react to it much better.” Secondary school teacher
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 34 3.7. Service Developments The work of the Commission identified the impact that poor mental health has on individuals, and that accessing appropriate mental health support and services is a significant barrier to people experiencing issues with alcohol and drug use. Young people identified mental health service provision as a priority and although school counselling and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are available, they felt that there still remained a gap in terms of low to moderate tiered support. This was also reflected during the engagement sessions with frontline staff. A Youth Health and Wellbeing Service was piloted from September 2022 to December 2023, and provided drop-in facilities for young people to access to both health and wellbeing support direct from health professionals, as well as offering access to a Circuit Class. Delivered once a week in the Paisley Lagoon Centre, the service complemented the wider health and wellbeing work taking place across Renfrewshire. The project was delivered once a week, in the evening, for 12–17-year-olds, or S1-S6, where they could seek and learn support mechanisms, as well as referrals to other services. Throughout the development and delivery of the project, engagement took place with Children’s Services, secondary teachers, headteachers, and young people in schools, and a variety of promotional materials were developed, including posters, a walkthrough video of the service, and weekly promotion through social media etc. Young people who attended the service during the period were provided with health advice, as well as any further signposting/referrals to other services, such as to Sandyford Sexual Health Clinic and The Exchange Counselling Service. Support has also included Child Protection interventions, with support being provided by School Nurses and Social Work Child Protection. During the delivery of the project attendances increased significantly at the start of 2023 (over 70 young people), though these were mainly accessing the circuit class on offer, with a small number attending for health and wellbeing support. The service paused over summer 2023 to undertake a review, including engagement with schools and Children’s Homes. Due to a pattern of lower levels of engagement than anticipated, it was decided to discontinue the service from December 2023, considering alternative ways to provide emotional health and wellbeing support within or outwith an educational setting. Youth Health and Wellbeing Service
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 35 3.8. Partnership Initiatives/Support Throughout the Alcohol and Drugs Commission's work, the impact of trauma and mental health was mentioned in every conversation with people using services, their families, and also amongst frontline staff. Trauma was often cited as being the biggest barrier to recovery, and in response, it was recommended that partners further establish the local approach to trauma informed and responsive practice, champion greater understanding of the impact of trauma, and ensure it is reflected in the way that staff work across services. The TIRR Programme aims to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities, by recognising the impact that trauma can have, and mitigating or removing the barriers that this can create in accessing services, and enhancing life opportunities. Whilst the Programme initially arose from the recommendations of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission, it was agreed that the Programme should be more wide-ranging, and have a focus on reducing inequalities caused by trauma. This wider approach aligns with Scottish Government and COSLA work in this area, through the National Trauma Transformation Programme (NTTP), led by NHS Education for Scotland (NES), to support a trauma informed and trauma responsive workforce and services across Scotland. Trauma informed practice has been developed across Renfrewshire over a number of years, including for example Renfrewshire’s Nurturing Relationships Approach, Early and Effective Intervention in Youth Justice, and throughout services within the HSCP. To support a co-ordinated approach, the TIRR programme is supported by a steering group with representation from all Council services and from the HSCP, chaired by the Head of Policy and Partnerships who is also the Council’s Trauma Champion. Our local TIRR Road Map was developed in 2023, and approved by Leadership Board in February 2024, identifying key actions under five strategic themes: leadership; policy; knowledge and skills of people in the workforce; care, support and wellbeing of people in the workforce; and, experts by lived and living experience. A number of priority actions in the Road Map have been progressed, including: a programme of engagement with council services, and with partners in the public and third sectors; specialised training for a number of front-facing Council teams to support Trauma Informed and Responsive Renfrewshire (TIRR)
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 36 them to be trauma-aware and/or trauma-skilled; completion of the Scottish Trauma- Informed Leadership Training (STILT) by the Council’s Corporate Management Team view of the importance of leadership to helping an organisation be trauma-informed; delivery of a development session on trauma to elected members. A key element of the Programme is increasing the knowledge and understanding of the workforce in relation to trauma, and how this can impact and manifest, not only when we work with people who use our services, but also how we work together as a workforce. One of the key messages in the TIRR is that trauma is everyone’s business, and not only relevant for those who work in roles more likely to support people who may have experienced trauma. The benefits of adopting a trauma informed approach include improved health and social outcomes for service users, and improved workforce morale and work satisfaction3. Training and support facilitated through the TIRR has focused on what trauma is; recognising its impact and how it can affect people; the principles of trauma informed care and practice and its relevance for how we work as organisations; and what we can do as services and colleagues to support service users, and those we work with. 3 Reviewed in Trauma-Informed Care and Practice Organisational Toolkit (TICPOT) 2018 After the (TIRR) learning, is there anything you will do differently in your role? “Behind every behaviour there is a communication. It’s important as … officers we don't judge, we try to reconnect and build up a trusting relationship… as we may be the only support they have. Knowing the back story, what things should I be aware of before supporting … to make them as comfortable as possible” ‘Using trauma informed approach not just with clients, but in 1-1s for supporting staff and recognising they may have their own trauma story, or be impacted by the trauma of the clients they are working with.”
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 37 Since 2022, around 300 members of staff have taken part in local in-person sessions, utilising training from NHS Education for Scotland resources. Feedback from these sessions has included staff being more aware of trauma in their role, having a greater understanding of why people may behave or disengage due to negative past experience, and how to use this understanding to better support people. Housing Support Services – Trauma Informed Approach The Council’s Housing Support Team have worked in a trauma informed way for a number of years, focusing on supporting people, often with multiple and complex challenges. Support from the TIRR enabled the team to recognise and review the good work taking place, and to carry out activities to support further developments and improvements. Over 2023 the team, supported by their senior leadership, undertook a number of actions, including STILT training, trauma skilled training for coordinators, having the TIRR as a recurring agenda item at senior meetings, carrying out a review of the service through a trauma-informed lens, and implementing improvements based on this review, including environmental improvements to physical spaces. Strengths for using this approach were noted by the teams, including sharing good news and examples of good practice; and supporting staff to review and reflect, using reflective journals. Staff highlight the impact of working in a trauma informed way for developing relationships with people, with this leading to more positive engagement. They note that in the past, some people they support might have had negative past experiences with the Council, and be wary of seeing officers in uniform, leading to challenges in engagement. “This was a small change, but has had a big impact with engagement from people” Learning taken forward that could be used in other service approaches include, reinforcing that this approach is everyone’s responsibility – from the first point of contact to the last; leadership support; empowerment of staff teams; and supporting staff professionally and personally.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 38 Tree of Hope, Refugee Resettlement Team building. Painted by a Ukrainian Displaced Person, supported by the Team since arriving in Renfrewshire in 2022. Oleksandra Lotytyska was 17 when she painted the Tree of Hope, and is now studying art in college. Anyone using the building is invited to write a positive message on one of the leaves provided and attach it to the tree to inspire others.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 39 The Scottish Recovery Consortium (SRC), working in partnership with CIRCLE, developed a programme of events and activities throughout 2022, with the ambition of building a strong recovery community in Renfrewshire, linking with the wider community through positively promoting recovery. A Host Group involving SRC, CIRCLE, and a number of local partners, co-produced and delivered a series of local events and activities, such as Barshaw Park Gala Day, Blend Event, Live it Up in Linwood, Connected and Caring Carnival, the Art of Recovery Festival, and the Recovery Walk Scotland, which took place in Paisley on 24 September 2022 during Scotland’s celebration of International Recovery. The Programme was joint funded by Renfrewshire ADP and the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme. Around 1,300 people attended these events across Renfrewshire, with approximately 4,000 coming to the Recovery Walk in Paisley. In general, these events were a success and managed to raise awareness of addiction and recovery, encourage active citizenship from all that participated within the events, and planning and development of the events. Most events were attended by people within Renfrewshire, with some participants coming from areas close by like Inverclyde, Glasgow and Lanarkshire. All events also had local people in attendances without any direct connection to addiction but wanted to find out more, or wanted to attend a free family event. Connected and Caring Renfrewshire
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 40 As part of the Programme, and continuing the listening aspect of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission, a conversation café engagement event took place. The aim of the event was to have a further conversation with individuals and families who are impacted by alcohol and drugs in Renfrewshire, and provide an opportunity for services, and strategic leaders to hear directly from local people about what it is currently like in Renfrewshire, since the publication of the Commission’s findings, and discuss areas of focus going forward, as well as recovery, and opportunities to further involve those with lived experience. Facilitated by SRC, a group was set up to design and deliver the event as part of the Connected and Caring Renfrewshire Programme. Over 90 participants attended the event, including individuals with lived experience, local groups and organisations, staff in services across the partnership, strategic leaders, and elected members. The event began with a networking lunch and Wall Village showcasing local projects. The legacy of the Connected and Caring Renfrewshire Programme is embedded within the ADP structure as one of the subgroups. “I am in recovery myself. It is always great to attend events like these to highlight the importance of lived experience in recovery, and to help those without that lived experience better understand addiction and recovery.”
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 41 An HSCP Health Improvement Lead was recruited to facilitate sustainable cultural change across the community planning partners, focusing on issues such as alcohol availability, supply, and promotion, and also how employers across Renfrewshire can identify and respond to support people and their families who are affected by alcohol use. Alcohol Licensing The post holder took over as chair of Renfrewshire Licensing Forum, providing leadership to ensure the forum met regularly. Additionally, a consultation with all members took place which shaped an action plan for the Forum. Key actions included increasing the group’s knowledge around Licensing objectives, and gathering evidence of how alcohol licensing policy and practice is impacting on local communities. Alcohol harms have also been mapped within Renfrewshire at a neighbourhood level, to allow overprovision to be considered, as well as on other areas of concern including licensing hours, children’s and young person’s access to licensed premises, and best practice around alcohol deliveries. This included neighbourhood level data on alcohol related hospital admissions, alcohol related mental health admissions and alcohol specific deaths. This data was presented to Community Councils within Renfrewshire to empower them within their statutory role in the licensing process. Alcohol in the Workplace All community planning partners were offered bespoke support to update alcohol workplaces policies on evidence-based areas, including guidelines on corporate hospitality, education/information on the effects of alcohol, training/guidance for managers in implementing policy, support offered to employees around alcohol use, defined policy around relapse etc. A Focus Group was undertaken with CIRCLE Recovery Hub to gain feedback of those with lived experience on how workplace policies are viewed and experience of employer’s use of them. This specific post came to an end at the end of September 2023, with work to progress these aims continuing with the agreement between the ADP and HSCP to fund two posts within the Health Improvement team (Health Improvement Lead and Health Improvement Senior) with dedicated capacity to focus on both alcohol and drugs. Alcohol Policy
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 42 The aim of the Recovery Change Fund was to support the development of local groups and organisations which provide social connection and support recovery in Renfrewshire. The Fund was also intended to provide opportunities to support piloting new ideas and projects in relation to mental health, recovery, stigma, and social isolation. Funding was made available for groups and organisations to apply for (up to £10k), against specific criteria developed, with three funding rounds over the period July 2022 to February 2023. In total, seven projects were supported, summarised below: This project provided mental health and wellbeing support to around 15 children and young people in Renfrew whose parents have substance use issues. Working with a school, and using varying psychological theories and practices to best support young people in a group and one to one setting. The project reported that over a short period of time they saw the young people thrive, with a greater respect for the space, and have shown positive improvements in school. Parents noticed improvements with their children as well. • 100% of young people identified they felt a reduction in social isolation and loneliness due to accessing the group • 82% said they had reduced anxiety levels • 100% of young people learned various mental health and wellbeing technique to help support anxiety This project provided weekly group sessions for a group of 7 young people, and worked to improve the emotional wellbeing of young people and their families who are affected by alcohol/drug use, also working to reduce the stigma of substance use, and the impact to the mental health and wellbeing associated with this. The project supported and works with young people, families and partners to create social connections, reduce the impact of shame and stigma, and provide a safe and relational place to be. Indicators used to measure young people’s progress in a variety of areas linked to mental and emotional wellbeing were used, with 100 % of the young people showing improvements in areas identified which are critical in a young person’s wellbeing. Recovery Change Fund Renfrew YMCA – Our Mind Our Space Youth Interventions (now Youth Inspired) – YI Love Me
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 43 The overall purpose of this project was to provide consistent weekly support to those struggling with addiction in Renfrewshire, and to build trust within the community. The funding was to provide a female support worker to attend the Kilnside project in Paisley, and to increase the hours for the existing male support worker at the project. This enabled an addiction recovery group every Tuesday, with both a male and female support worker present, to offer support at the drop-in café every Wednesday with one support worker present, and increased the amount of time spent with participants in one-to-one general support and recovery key work. Positive impact includes significantly increasing the number of women attending Group Recovery Sessions and receiving General 1-2-1 Support, and improved Emotional Health and Recovery Awareness. The organisation reported a transformative journey of growth and positive change throughout the period, with significant increases in drop- ins, as well as consistent numbers attending regularly and building, indicating growing community impact. A number of positive case studies were noted, and strong links with local partners have been established, including the facilitation of rehabilitation referrals. The purpose of the project is for the senior football team to undertake mental health first aid qualifications, to educate about mental health, as well as the impact of alcohol, drugs, and other substances. The Club has been strengthening its approach to mental health awareness over the past few years, establishing a mental health first aider at each age group. By undertaking mental health first aid course with the Senior team, the project aims to provide information, awareness, guidance, and hopefully open up discussion with the players around the effects and repercussions of using substances, as well as learning about different wellbeing and coping strategies. The success of the course and follow up workshops prompted coaches and staff to explore how to provide education to earlier age groups within the Club. The Player Street Connect- Additional Addiction Support for Kilnside Road Glenvale AFC – Senior Club Wellness “I have made a lot of friends and before I found it hard to talk to new people” “The difference this has made to our whole family is amazing. We are communicating more and all living life we never thought we could” “I am now gaining self-worth within myself. This I have struggled with since my teens, and since coming to Street Connect, I am seeing my value”
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 44 Welfare Officer (PWO)noted the strategies being learned are working, and players can have open discussions about triggers, and support from the PWO is available. Feedback has also been received from players’ wider families, including a player’s mother who is very happy at the improvement in the mental health of her son, after he had been withdrawn and it had been causing concern for the family. The project provided a variety of support for families affected by imprisonment, through a regional coordinator supporting Renfrewshire area. The project involves different activities including helpline support, direct 1-to-1 sessional support in families’ own homes, and befriending and peer-support where people can come together and find shared solutions for problems along with others with lived experience. The services provided help to address the challenges a family member experiences in their journey through the justice system, from a loved one’s arrest, trial, imprisonment through to release. During the period, the project provided direct 1-1 support for around 28 cases in Renfrewshire, supporting family members ranging from pre-school age to adult. The majority of those supported were parents of a person in prison, followed by partner/ex- partner. Families supported by the organisation can sometimes feel isolated, with feelings of stigma preventing them from accessing support. Regular support has enabled families to have a safe, non-judgmental space to be listened to, explore emotions and concerns, as well as signposting to additional support to help better manage their circumstances. Additionality provided as part of the award of the funding through the Recovery Change Fund was the development of a Support and Participation element, although this was not able to progress as originally intended during the period. Families Outside Ltd - Supporting children and families affected by Imprisonment “I needed to hear that I am doing the right thing by my daughter, as I have never been in this situation before.” “Speaking to your organisation is the first positive thing that's happened since my brother has been in prison.” “Just having someone talking to us makes us feel less isolated.”
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 45 Recruit a peer recovery worker to support individuals experiencing a crisis in their mental health in relation to their drug and/or alcohol use to work within the FIRST Crisis service. In spite of extensive exercises to recruit to the peer worker post, it was not successful and RAMH were unable to utilise the funding awarded Renfrew Smart Connections was a recovery oriented, community-led project promoting recovery and community connections (social relationships and social connections) across Renfrewshire linked to SMART Recovery UK. The project supported and encouraged local people to access recovery and wellbeing services, removing barriers and creating pathways to networks and services. Sessions included a weekly meal, self-management and recovery group linked to SMART Recovery UK project run by Blue Triangle, hygiene takeaway packs, and reimbursement of travel fares etc.. Allocated time set for a care check in/ signpost session e.g. benefits, addictions, mental health, foodbank. Initially there was attendance at the sessions, with positive feedback received. However attendance thereafter was mixed, with some sessions varying between 0-3 people. Despite engagement and promotion activities with a number of partners, including the Turning Point overdose response team, HaRRT, CIRCLE, Drug death prevention group, INVEST Renfrewshire, and Homeless services, it was decided to wind down the project, and return any unspent balance of funding. The Recovery Change Fund undertook a review over summer 2023, following lower than anticipated engagement with the Fund. It was agreed by Programme Board to discontinue the Fund in this form and explore enhancing other funding streams supporting communities, with a portion of funding being allocated to enhance the Winter Connections Programme budget. RAMH – Peer Support Worker Blue Triangle – Smart Connections
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 46 The work of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission identified that partners should act robustly to eradicate stigma, and have positive recovery conversations with communities and the workforce, working with people with lived experience in Renfrewshire. Workforce training resources have been developed by I Am Me Scotland, aiming to improve the understanding, awareness, and confidence of the workforce in relation to stigmatising language around alcohol and drugs. The resources have been co-developed with the support of people with lived experience of drug and alcohol use, addiction, recovery, and the stigma associated with this. The interactive learning materials include a number of short films, including people’s personal experiences of stigma, and they encourage participants to challenge their own views, attitudes, behaviours, and language, as well as those of colleagues. Work to align the resources with current and emerging pieces of work, such as Making Every Contact Count, is currently progressing as part of the Connected Communities Programme. Reducing Stigma/Language Matters “It has been so good to be involved in the development, and feeling that we are being listened to, and our opinions and experiences are being used to help make a difference”
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 47 3.9. Research/Reviews Independent research was carried out by We are With You to better understand the level and nature of hidden harm in Renfrewshire from alcohol and drug use. Two surveys on social media, one focusing on drugs, the other on alcohol, took place over summer 2021. It should be noted that this exercise is not a prevalence study, but does provide insight into drug and alcohol use in Renfrewshire over this period, with the majority of respondents not in contact with services, or accessing support. Summary of Key Findings 894 responses to drug survey, highlighting: • Mostly men, employed, relatively young, (15% students) • Most common drugs used noted were Cannabis, Cocaine, and MDMA/Ecstasy • People who completed the survey in Renfrewshire, comparative to Scotland, were more likely to feel bad or guilty, had experienced medical problems as a result of their drug use, and felt unable to stop using drugs when they wanted • 87% of respondents had never accessed any type of support for their drug use • 39% have missed work/school/college/university as result of drug use • 42% would seek help from their employer/college/university if they thought their drug use and/or drinking causing them problems • A third of respondents would not know where to go (without having to check) if they needed help with their drug use Alcohol survey response Overview 1,536 completed surveys, highlighting: • Mostly women, employed, in relatively older age groups, have never accessed support (94%) • The screening identified 873 people who would benefit from at least brief intervention, with 115 of these potentially dependent drinkers • 35% drink more than four times a week • 43% had drunk more alcohol than usual during lockdown • On a typical day when drinking, 26% of respondents noted that they drink more than 10 units of alcohol Hidden Harm
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 48 • 23% said that a relative or friend, doctor or other health worker had been concerned about their drinking or suggested that they cut down The findings were presented to the Programme Board, and Renfrewshire ADP, as well as summary information being shared with partners, to help provide a better understanding of issues, as well as help to inform any policies and/or service design/delivery, including the mapping of alcohol related harms (page 41). An independent review of family support services in relation to alcohol and drugs services locally was carried out by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD), to assess where possible gaps in provision exist, and to make recommendations on how these should be addressed. The work also included workforce development sessions, and a Family Recovery College course. The review engaged with three key groupings: family; community; and workforce, using a mixed methods approach combining desk research, a community survey, and one-to- one qualitative interviews with family members and practitioners. The fieldwork for the research took place in late 2021, with the report being finalised in September 2022. Key Findings - Summary SFAD Report Key Findings Summary Community Survey • 78 responses • Majority female (84%) • Majority of respondents between 45-64 years of age • Respondents from across Renfrewshire The Community survey identified a high level of lived experience and understanding of alcohol and drugs issues among respondents (96% of the community survey respondents said they knew someone who has, or previously had, an alcohol or drug concern, and 73% of respondents identified as a family member with experience of alcohol or drug use within their family). Judgement, stigma and negative attitudes were commonly experienced by respondents. Family Support Review
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 49 “Cold and Informed Search Exercises” The review identified challenges in finding out details about available family support in Renfrewshire for those not more involved “in the system”. For those more involved, the review identified good feedback on the range and quality of services for people using alcohol and drugs, including young people and adults. People were able to suggest a range of options in the context of scenarios used by SFAD, for the person using alcohol or drugs. This includes both formal services, recovery groups and local fellowships (such as Alcoholics Anonymous etc). Support for families impacted by others’ alcohol or drug use The review identified a more mixed picture in terms of support for families impacted by others’ alcohol or drug use, including finding Renfrewshire has: A good range of high quality, evidence-based support for children affected by parental substance use, in particular younger children; support for young people using substances; although more limited support for adult family members, and young people affected by someone else’s substance use. SFAD Recommended a number of improvements, themed under: Support for Babies and Children; Support for Young People; and Support for Family Members. Recommended improvements included, responding to gaps identified by the exercise, noting support for adult family members, and out of hours crisis support services, and improving access and information about available support. With regard to a number of improvements proposed by SFAD, work has already been undertaken by partners to address these (First Crisis Alcohol and Drugs providing out of hours crisis support, developing the knowledge, skills and confidence of school staff in relation to alcohol and drugs for example. A working group of relevant officers undertook a mapping exercise of the findings and recommendations to identify actions for further exploration. It was agreed by the Programme Board that the review and mapping work be incorporated into the Children Affected by Alcohol and Drug Use (CAPADU) structure of the ADP, to be taken forward, and to feed into existing work exploring current provision, opportunities to address gaps, and utilise available funding.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 50 Back Sneddon Street hosts both the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service (ADRS) and three Justice Social Work services. Various reviews, over a number of years, have identified a range of issues in relation to the delivery of services from this building, such as personal safety and stigma. The Commission identified: “Support should move away from a focus on a buildings-based model to one that is rooted within communities. Where services and support are accessed within a building —these must be provided in modern, safe, accessible and trauma informed facilities which support front line staff and service users to work together in the most person- centred way. Existing buildings such as those at Back Sneddon Street are not fit for purpose and must be improved urgently.” Whilst the Programme did not in its core phase allocate funding to proposals relating to Back Sneddon Street, improvements have been progressed by: • expanding use of space in other buildings across Renfrewshire, for example the Torley Unit (Dykebar Hospital), New Sneddon Street, Johnstone Health Centre and Renfrew Health and Social Work Centre to support a shift to a more community- based model • undertaking property reviews through a trauma-informed lens with service users • implementing minor improvement works, such as renovating and redecorating, which have generated improvements to the environments where people receive support Feedback in relation to the décor enhancements has been positive - “impressed with the recent changes to the waiting room”, “much better than a few years ago”, “it feels so different”, “nice bright, open, well lit”, “way better than expected”. However, some feedback received in relation to the building overall is that it’s “intimidating to walk up to this building”, “the fact it says addiction and criminal justice makes me feel like I’ve done something wrong before even getting into the building”. A funding proposal to make further improvements was being considered by the Programme Board as the Programme neared its conclusion, and is currently being progressed as part of the final legacy that the Programme has aimed to achieve. Building Based Services
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 51 4. Impact With the previous section highlighting specific projects and actions within the Programme, this section considers the contribution to the Programme Level Outcomes, as well as the challenges experienced, and learning over the course of the Programme to take forward into the future. This section uses content from The Lines Between qualitative work. A key legacy of the Programme will be the innovative projects, services, and initiatives, that have been transitioned to mainstream provision, or business as usual. The Programme enabled partners to test new approaches and ways of working, providing stability and opportunities to learn, and to use this learning to better support people who use our services, as well as our workforce. 4.1. Programme Outcomes During the work of the Commission, a whole system approach to supporting people who use drugs and alcohol was identified as hugely beneficial. It was recognised that there was a high level of complexity in the support that individuals and families need, with multiple different services, requiring different levels of support, at different times. The Commission heard that there was often a perception that services are not always flexible and at times can be difficult to access. Wrapping support around people as partners and communities in a radical and person-centred way, was viewed as one of the most important things that could be done to improve outcomes for people using drugs and alcohol, their families and communities overall. A number of projects within the Programme adopted a whole system approach, particularly MyLA and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People Programme, where capacity and resources were focused on those with experiencing significantly complex and challenging needs, who may have already had a number of previous unsuccessful interventions. Smaller caseloads, skilled and supported practitioners, and strengthened partnership working, enabled these projects to wrap support around each individual and their needs, providing consistent support, and building trusting relationships. Strengthen partnership working and adopt a whole system approach
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 52 This approach benefits individuals being supported, with individuals and families highlighting they feel cared for and looked after, as well as projects noting the wider benefits for other services and support, for MyLA staff felt the project relieved pressure on other housing and support services, and in the school project, having the PT enabled capacity for increased pastoral support for other pupils. All of the projects and actions within the Programme can show evidence of partnership working, with connections being built and strengthened with local services, partner agencies, third sector organisations, and community organisations. Making connections in order to signpost to other services was an important feature of several projects. Through CIRCLE and MyLA, service users were linked with external support for a range of issues, including housing, foodbanks, banking services, Naloxone, and advocacy. Many staff across projects cultivated relationships with mental health support services and other third sector organisations. These networks and examples of partnership “We will be persistent and go out of our way to try and engage the person. We will do home visits and go out with other support services if that is easier for the person to encourage them to engage.” MyLA staff “I think MyLA are quite good at troubleshooting these awkward issues. Having a support worker there to dig through the list of letters on their doorstep, work out which ones need to be responded to. Very often it’s electricity and gas.” Member of complex case working group (MyLA) “I think the families needed that support, that one contact and that one go-to person. Because with [PT] having a smaller caseload she can work with the families more intensely and get that day-to-day feedback that sometimes we just don't have the capacity for. Because they need contact every single day.” Teaching Staff (Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People Project)
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 53 working resulted in faster referrals, quicker interventions, and more effective, tailored support for service users. In the schools-based projects, a whole systems approach was cultivated by building closer relationships with parents and increasing their involvement in their children’s education. For the Alcohol and Substance Awareness Education Resources, an online portal was created for parents and carers, to allow transparency about learning materials. The Principal Teacher in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People project built trusting relationships with parents, opening lines of regular communication and information sharing. This collaborative approach with parents and carers had a positive impact on attendance. Further benefits of a more collaborative, partnership-based approach included sharing of learning and information, and relieving pressure on other services. Flexible, holistic support was a key feature of many of the service-based projects, which not only removed barriers to access, but also allowed support to be more tailored and effective. For HaRRT, this resulted in contact being made with a significant number of HIGHLIGHT – MyLA Complex Cases Working Group A Complex Case Working Group was established to support the delivery of the service. The group meets every six weeks, with representatives from housing, community mental health, ADRS, and social work teams, to discuss the needs of particularly vulnerable people with complex needs. Prior to this group being established, there was a lack of formal mechanisms and regular communication between various cross partnership services, leading to inefficiencies and gaps in support for service users. The introduction of the Complex Case Working Group was described as invaluable in addressing these issues, by bringing together various services to discuss and manage the most complex cases. Stronger relationships between services have resulted in faster referrals, reduced delays in accessing support, and quicker interventions when service users are in crisis.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 54 individuals who were not known to services. In the Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People project, the Principal Teacher was described as having more time and flexibility to tailor approaches to the needs of individual pupils. Support for the autonomy of service users underpinned several of the projects. For CIRCLE, HaRRT and MyLA, clients were given control of how and when they engaged with the services. At CIRCLE, this meant that clients could pursue their own interests or passions in order to support their recovery journeys. However, challenges working in partnership were experienced across several projects, including areas where there was lack of consistent engagement, and difficulties aligning processes. For some projects there were challenges in setting up and maintaining engagement, for example, First Crisis – Alcohol and Drugs attempted to convene a steering group but were unsuccessful due to lack of consistent engagement. Collaborative working between statutory services and third sector partners also experienced challenges, with differences in processes for data collection, recording, reporting, and well as data protection and information sharing. There were also some challenges experienced with different ways of working between partners and service areas, and in some areas would have benefited from agreeing clearer roles, responsibilities, and capacity, from each partner from the outset of activity, for example with Connected and Caring Renfrewshire. “There's no one size fits all for somebody that's got mental health or addiction issues. The main thing about peer support is having a bigger view of what's going on for the individual and if that isn't working for them, utilise other support strategies and other people's knowledge to make sure that that's available for them.” CIRCLE Staff
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 55 The work of the Commission recognised trauma as being intrinsically linked with the use of alcohol and drugs, and that partners should go further and be more ambitious in terms of establishing the local approach to trauma informed practice. The TIRR Programme (page 35) has strengthened the local approach across the partnership, providing support and learning opportunities for services to better understand trauma, and adapt approaches and environments to better support service users, as well as to better support the workforce. Service based projects can demonstrate alignment with trauma-informed practice, including the shaping of each project environment, the behaviour of staff, approaches to support, and enhanced training and support for staff. A common strength across many projects was the personal qualities and approaches of the staff running each service, allowing them to build relationships with their service users and reduce stigma. For example, HaRRT staff were praised for their skillset and experience, combined with a non-judgmental and compassionate approach. Similarly, the Principal Teacher in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People project was highlighted as a strong fit for their role, showing resilience, empathy, and consistency in supporting pupils. Through MyLA, service users described strong relationships with the team, and felt both treated with dignity and supported to develop independence and resilience. Understanding of trauma was also reflected in service environments. For example, at CIRCLE, clients spoke of the centre as a welcoming, supportive, safe space where they felt comfortable and accepted. HaRRT was praised for the discretion and anonymity allowed to service users, which helped remove barriers related to shame and stigma, Increase understanding of trauma and ensure it’s reflected in the way staff work across the partnership “You need to have the right person for the role. So, there's no taking away from that and [PT] absolutely is the right person. So yes, patience, but there's also just a sort of doggedness that you need to have with it. They’ll reject you and push you away and you've got to keep coming back and [PT] absolutely does that in spades with them.” Teaching Staff (Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People Project)
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 56 along with respecting privacy and dignity. At MyLA home visits and outreach were used to build rapport and trust. Skill development and wellbeing support for staff also played a strong role in embedding trauma-informed practice in how they work across the projects. At MyLA, practitioners were given access to regular supervision and other measures to help promote their wellbeing in emotionally challenging roles. The First Crisis – Alcohol and Drugs team was also provided with a range of training and skills development opportunities, including bespoke multi-agency drug awareness training. Building trusting relationships with people, and recognising the barriers they may face to engaging with support is a key element of using a trauma informed approach. A number of projects highlight that some people’s negative past experiences with agencies and authority can have an impact on their ability to engage with support. Taking a trauma informed approach, projects were able to recognise this and adapt practices and approaches to make people, and their wider support network, more comfortable, and build positive relationships. “We understand that they have difficulty in attending appointments at specific times and locations, and we can cater the service a bit more to meet their needs HaRRT Staff “They come out to you, so you don't really need to go anywhere. Paisley's really hard to get exchange from so it just helps if they come right to your house. They come no matter where they are. Most people wouldn't be bothered and just use dirty needles. And they're always quite fast.” HaRRT Service user A lot of the parents have maybe had negative experiences themselves through education so it's taking [PT] to be able to build that trust, build those relationships with the parents to get them on board and on site to be able to support their young people. To recognise that school is a very different place to when they were here and been able to do that.” Teaching Staff (Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People)
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 57 A key part of the Commission’s listening approach, the findings recognised that lived experience can be the bridge between services and supporting people with their recovery. It highlighted that it would be beneficial to see more workers and volunteers with lived experience who can provide peer support. It was widely recognised that people with lived experience play an important role in promoting recovery, reducing stigma, and improving services, using personal experience to support others. Lived and living experience played a key role across the Programme, and was a valuable and effective feature of several projects. Many service users spoke of being able to open up to staff members due to similar past experiences. Teachers and pupils agreed that the involvement of people with lived and living experience of alcohol and substance use made a valuable contribution to the Alcohol and Substance Awareness Education Resources. This helped make them authentic, engaging, and relatable to pupils. Value and further involve those with lived and living experience “There are service users who can be difficult to engage with. You have to assertively outreach, go out in the street, chap doors, go to the chemist. You need to develop a relationship with them. You need to develop trust and get into people's lives because they may feel they have been let down by services their whole lives. Some may not have positive feelings towards the council. So, it's a challenge right from the outset. So, we get in there, we don't go out with our council uniforms on, we go out there with our trainers on. We get to know the service users. We speak with them at a level they are comfortable with.” Homeless and Housing Support Services Manager (MyLA)
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 58 At CIRCLE and MyLA, the involvement of staff and volunteers with lived experience helped foster connections with service users over shared experiences. It also ensured that staff were understanding and empathetic about the issues involved, and could provide positive, visible role models. Renfrewshire has a strong recovery community, and this has expanded significantly over the past five years. CIRCLE’s staff and volunteers play a vital role in driving this, with wider recovery partners. While the involvement of those with lived or living experience provided a valuable contribution to multiple services, it also posed difficulties in making sure they received adequate support themselves. This was a particularly acute issue at CIRCLE, where it was felt that there was a risk of staff with lived experience being re-traumatised by their interactions with service users, further explored in the next Section. In some areas the intention was to more fully embed lived experience, but some projects were unable to do this on a consistent basis, due to challenges around “The two of us, we get on well. She listens. I told her my life story. She’s chatted about her previous life and what she went through and all that. And that’s why I ended up opening up about what I went through.” MyLA Service user “It's such a clear pathway of entering. So once you get in, you get support from one of the recovery workers, you get one-to-ones, they help you figure out maybe what groups you'd like to join or if you're not ready for a group why is that, what can you do to kind of get ready. And then you can attend some groups, you meet the other people, you meet the volunteers, and you can volunteer, and it's such a nice smooth transition. And then before people know it, they're getting involved in all this stuff, they're helping organise things, they're taking ownership of tasks” CIRCLE Staff
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 59 recruitment and retention, for example for First Crisis – Alcohol and Drugs, further explored in the next Section. The Commission recognised there were gaps in local data, particularly relating to alcohol harms, and that increased data and insight would help to increase understanding and enhance information to direct services and support. Two specific local research pieces were commissioned during the Programme, looking at Hidden Harm relating to alcohol and drug use, as well as family support provision. The findings from these research pieces have been shared with partners to help increase understanding and local data available. The findings of the family support Increase understanding, and strengthen local data, and service insight available HIGHLIGHT – CIRCLE Lived and living experience is a key part of CIRCLE’s approach to how the service is developed and delivered, with a different look and feel to anything else in Renfrewshire, having been designed with input from a group of peers at every step of the way. Service users are not only supported by staff, but also by current service users, volunteers, and peers in recovery. This focus on lived experience helps to address and reduce stigma, which is often a barrier to people accessing help. CIRCLE has been successful in creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment, which helps service users overcome stigma and feel accepted and understood. The volunteer pathway is a key strength of CIRCLE, providing service users with a clear journey and opportunities for progression through the service. Service users choose to get involved with volunteering when they feel emotionally invested and that they want to contribute. This enhances the peer support available and the opportunity to take responsibility also gives clients a sense of ownership of the service.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 60 review are being taken forward by the Children Affected by Parental Alcohol and Drug Use group, which is a sub-group of the ADP. Data collection for each project served different functions, from evidencing impact to informing service delivery. For the Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People project, data was collected to demonstrate the impact of the role on pupils, including attendance, exclusions, attainment levels, and impact has been evaluated against wellbeing scales. For MyLA, data was collected around service users’ housing status, alcohol and drug use, interactions with the justice system, access to benefits and grants etc. The mapping of alcohol harms, identified as a gap by the Commission, was carried out as part of the Alcohol Policy project, looking at data at a neighbourhood level, providing insight to help inform areas such as the licensing process. Renfrewshire ADP has continued to strengthen its approach to local data and insight, investing in capacity in the Health Improvement team, following on from the Alcohol Policy project, with specific posts focusing on both alcohol and drugs. HIGHLIGHT – HaRRT A key strength of the HaRRT project is its use of data to effectively inform service delivery. In this project, trends in local data, such as the times and locations of incidents and groups of at-risk people, were used to govern resource deployment, and ensure that the team could be best positioned to respond to incidents. Specific advantages include planning shift patterns according to when most incidents occur, and the use of heat maps to identify hotspot areas for drug-related incidents. Another important aspect of the service is timely response to non-fatal overdoses (NFODs), which are often a precursor to fatal overdoses. Renfrewshire ADP undertook a deep dive analysis of suspected NFODs in Renfrewshire over an annual period 2022/23, looking into the circumstances of those affected, and providing valuable insight, local context, and evidence to help inform local approaches to preventing harm.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 61 4.2. Challenges This section explores challenges experienced across the Programme, which in some areas impacted projects to be delivered as originally intended. Many projects were able to adapt to these challenges and deliver positive outcomes for service users and staff, and in some areas, decisions were made to step down or discontinue projects, where circumstances changed, or where uptake was not as anticipated. Section 2 notes the wider challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, financial challenges across the public sector, and the changing national picture in relation to the National Mission. This section will explore common challenges across projects during the delivery phase of the Programme, using content from The Lines Between qualitative work. Some projects did not progress as initially anticipated, for a number of reasons, including capacity issues, changes in national focus, and some external factors like structural changes in organisations etc. Some projects weren’t able to get the anticipated level of response, despite efforts to engage, and so were stepped down, or scaled back, with elements of learning being able to be incorporated into other workstreams, such as the Recovery Change Fund, and the Youth Health and Wellbeing Service. This resulted in a number of underspends from allocated budgets. A consistent challenge across projects was difficulties with staff recruitment and retention. In addition to wider recruitment challenges across the health and social care sector, the short-term nature of funding and in some cases, less appealing contract conditions (e.g. lower pay and unsociable working hours) made it difficult to recruit and retain staff. The short-term nature of the funding sometimes resulted in staff being recruited, and then leaving posts to move on to other opportunities mid-way through delivery, resulting in difficulties attracting new staff for short term roles. In a number of cases, other funding sources had to be identified to extend the job term, resulting in disruptions in service delivery. High levels of staff turnover within some projects, and periods where services were not operating at full staffing capacity, limited the stability and impact of projects. For example, gaps in staffing within the HaRRT service severely limited what the service was able to provide, and for MyLA, it is noted that high levels of turnover among delivery staff was detrimental to building relationships with service users. Recruitment and retention of staff
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 62 Across the projects, a key strength was the skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate workforce, with personal qualities of many of the staff highlighted as a key factor in success. Supporting the workforce is crucial, and challenges were identified relating to staff support and wellbeing, particularly for those supporting people experiencing significant and complex challenges. Staff and volunteers in CIRCLE reflected on some of the challenges they face in delivering their day-to-day roles. Service users accessing CIRCLE are at a difficult and vulnerable period in their recovery, and many have complex needs, including experience of trauma, poor mental health and housing precarity. It is noted that providing front-line support to service users can sometimes be stressful, intense, and emotionally demanding. A few volunteers with lived experience of addiction described times when their interactions with service users had provoked an uncomfortable emotional response, intensified by their own past issues with substance use. Staff also discussed difficulties in compartmentalising their work, particularly when service users are in distress or crisis. For example, one said they sometimes found it challenging to uphold boundaries in place around communicating with service users outside of work hours. For MyLA, a number of measures have been put in place to support staff experiencing an emotionally demanding role, supporting service users through crisis. For example, “Sometimes you can find things are personally triggering for yourself, whether it be the way somebody talks or what they’re saying or, just even their vibes, the way they came in. If they look medicated, sometimes we can tell... Or if they’re actually on medication they’re supposed to be but that sometimes can be triggering.” CIRCLE Volunteer “One of my boundaries is that I don’t contact clients when I’m not here [at CIRCLE]. And that’s really hard for me when I’ve sat with someone, and I’ve known they’ve been upset, and I want to reach out to them later on just to say. “How are you doing? Are you alright?” But I know through our training that that’s something that we’ve not to do, and I find that very very hard.” CIRCLE Staff
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 63 caseloads are managed to ensure each practitioner works with a balance of service users across a spectrum of need. In addition, staff have access to regular supervision, quality assurance meetings, and peer meetings with fellow practitioners, which staff have noted have promoted a culture of open communication, building cohesion within the service. Skills development opportunities have also been provided to staff to build knowledge and learning across the team, and enhance the support available to service users. Examples include motivational interviewing courses, training to administer Naloxone, and enhanced-level trauma training. Ongoing financial challenges and resourcing pressures in the public sector were highlighted as a challenge for projects across the Programme. For example, the MyLA project reflected on some of the challenges in accessing support for alcohol use and mental health, which in some cases affected the effectiveness of the project’s work. The Principal Teacher leading the Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People project faced challenges accessing local external mental health support for pupils; particular issues raised were long waiting lists and strict referral criteria. Capacity pressures for services also presented challenges in terms of partnership working and sustained engagement, in some areas this resulted in delays to work being progressed, or having to be delivered in ways different to originally anticipated. Capacity pressures in the public sector “Nobody can have a full caseload of people who are currently at the higher level of need, there's got to be a bit of balance. A MyLA worker providing support to, say, 10 people, then perhaps six of them are in crisis and there's a lot going on, and maybe four of them it's a bit lower level and you're getting closer to achieve the agreed outcomes. Because it can be really tough on the staff.” Homeless and Housing Support Services Manager (MyLA)
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 64 A key strength identified by a number of projects was the potential impact that a more person-centred approach to support had on reducing pressures across different service areas, as well as more positive experiences for service users. Some projects highlighted their view that without some of these more focused supports, there would be a negative impact on other service areas due to demand and capacity pressures. “The knock-on effect of the person with addiction ignoring your bills and letting all your debts go unpaid, is that loads of money then gets spent by the various agencies affected, employing sheriff officers, debt collectors, chasing up letters, sending letters to an address where the person is no longer contactable. You know, the sense of waste across the whole system. I think MyLA are quite good at getting to the bottom of these situations and just preventing that from happening.” Member of Complex Cases working group (MyLA) “A lot of feedback we had from the workers within ADRS is that they have seen a bit of a decline in clients appearing there, because then the clients are contacting us and we’re able to assess. Taking pressure off ADRS, I feel MyLA has been very good at doing that.” MyLA staff “I was here before MyLA … if MyLA's not there, it affects other services, it's not just the MyLA service users who would be affected, it'd be housing support service users too. They would feel the effects of it as well because we now have the capacity to provide more housing support and emotional support, which we didn't previously have.” MyLA staff
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 65 Across multiple projects, there were challenges relating to measuring and evidencing impact. For example, the anonymous, discreet nature of the HaRRT service resulted in difficulties in collecting feedback and personal data from service users. Although positive outcomes have been collected as part of qualitative data gathering, it is more challenging to understand the overall impact of the health and wellbeing of service users, further referral and support information etc. The complexity of utilising multiple funding arrangements, which may have different reporting requirements, was also challenging, as well as being able to collect evidence about the longer-term impact of projects. Attributing positive outcomes for service users to specific projects or interventions is also challenging to demonstrate, as service users may be accessing a number of different services and supports. The nature of people’s recovery journeys is also challenging to measure or assess, as recovery is not a linear process, with external factors in people’s lives affecting their recovery journeys, i.e. a bereavement, relationship breakdown etc., which are unrelated to support and services they are accessing. During the Programme the possibility of adopting a cost/benefit analysis was explored, to be able to quantify the impact of some projects, in terms of savings for other services and partners. It was noted that there would be a number of challenges in adopting this approach, such as identifying which benefits to align to which interventions, large variation in costs and attributing them to specific indicators, and capacity and costs of commissioning external expertise to support this. There were also challenges in commissioning more general external evaluation support, as originally intended, leading to exploring alternative ways to support better understanding the impact of projects, resulting in the qualitative work undertaken with The Lines Between. Projects developed their own aims and outcomes specific to what they intended to deliver. This is helpful in understanding the impact of each project, although due to the varying nature of the scale, approach, and focus of each project, having consistency in Measuring and evidencing impact “Recovery, it's such a difficult thing to measure… if someone goes from using chaotically to using in a way that's more manageable, that's clearly recovery, but are they then able to engage in that sort of service? I don't think there's such an easy delineation between recovery and non-recovery.” CIRCLE Staff
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 66 approach across the Programme was challenging. To support this challenge, alongside each project’s aims, data was gathered around the four Programme level outcomes, to better understand these areas across the Programme. Although positive and significant progress has been made across many areas identified by the Commission, there are a number of areas where progress has been more limited. The Programme Board carried out an exercise in late 2022 looking at the unallocated budget, and areas of the Commission’s report where actions or projects had not been developed or aligned to them. As part of this exercise, it was identified that most of the findings and recommendations were being addressed, either through the Programme or through work taking place across the partnership through the HSCP and ADP, for example. However, there were a number of areas that had not advanced, for example, areas such as reviewing data and approaches around Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, undertaking a review on transitions between children’s and adult alcohol and drug services, and cohort studies of young people using the RADAR service. The Board discussed the breadth of work taking place around early intervention across the partnership, for example with REN 10, however it was also recognised that there was a more immediate need for those currently experiencing issues, both in terms of young people as well as staff. Following this, a proposal was developed and agreed for the Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People Partnership Programme to pilot a way of addressing this more immediate need in schools. There was recognition that circumstances around capacity, recovery from the pandemic, and prioritisation of other projects and work had taken place, and that, given significant financial challenges for the public sector ahead, consideration should be given to remaining funding being utilised towards transition arrangements with projects. As explored in the Projects section, there are a number of areas where projects did not progress as originally intended, or the level of response was not as anticipated. In these cases, officers undertook reviews, adopting a learning, ‘test of change’ approach, and alongside regular monitoring by the Alcohol and Drugs Programme Board, timely decisions could be taken to cease activity if outcomes were not being met as intended. National Mission, and other National programmes, policies, and sources of funding impacted policy at national, as well as local level. It is positive that national direction Limited progress
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 67 has aligned with findings from the Commission, and the response to this. However, in some areas this led to elements not progressing as originally intended, or underspending of allocated funding. Prioritisation of utilising funding available from the Scottish Government took place, for example with the National Trauma Transformation Programme. Other national programmes such as the availability for funding for local groups (Corra Foundation administered funding, and Community Mental Health and Wellbeing funding) may have impacted the uptake of the Recovery Change Fund, for example. As noted in section 3.9, a number of improvement works have been carried out to the building at Back Sneddon Street, although we recognise the ongoing challenges in relation to service user experience. Work is currently progressing on a partnership basis to develop proposals for further improvements, as part of the legacy that the Change Programme has aimed to achieve. 5. Future Renfrewshire, like the rest of Scotland, continues to have a complicated relationship with alcohol and drugs. Fully addressing this, and the lasting harms caused, is likely to take generations. Data trends over the past five years, in Renfrewshire and across Scotland, continue to show significant challenges relating to alcohol and drug use, and associated harms for individuals and families. In 2023, there were 44 drug-related deaths in Renfrewshire, a 34% decrease from 2020 (67), though it represents an increase of 13%, from 39 in the previous year. Renfrewshire had the seventh highest rate of deaths per 100,000 population (2019- 2023) at 27.5, and above the Scottish average of 23.6. In Renfrewshire, there were 52 alcohol-specific deaths in 2023, which represents an increase of 18% from 44 in 2020. The alcohol-specific deaths rate for Renfrewshire for 2019-2023 was 23.7, while the rate for Scotland for 2019-2023 was 21.5. At council area, in the last five years, Inverclyde, Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire, and Dundee City all had alcohol-specific death rates higher than the Scottish average. In 2023/24, the rate of wholly attributable alcohol hospital admissions was 711.6 per 100,000 population in Renfrewshire, a 15% decrease from 2019/20 (839.7), though higher than the rate for Scotland (594.5), and the eight highest in terms of local authorities in Scotland.
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 68 To better understand the current picture in Renfrewshire relating to alcohol and drugs, five years on from the work of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission, Renfrewshire ADP has commissioned a needs assessment, to provide a population based comprehensive understanding of need and challenges experienced within Renfrewshire relating to alcohol and drug use. This included scoping existing services and resources, in order to support the identification of gaps in provision as well as assessing the demand and capacity needs. The study took place between June 2024 and February 2025, and is intended to inform commissioning decisions, and identify potential areas for service development and/or improvement, as part of the wider commissioning process. The Needs Assessment was presented to the August 2025 ADP Executive Group meeting, and the ADP will work with partners to develop a local delivery plan aligned to the findings of the needs assessment, and will organise a key stakeholder event to progress key actions. Legacy The Change Programme provided a unique opportunity for partners in Renfrewshire to test new ideas and ways of working. The projects and initiatives partners brought forward all had a focus on improving the lives of people affected by alcohol and drug use, drawing on learning from the extensive engagement and information gathering of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission. These ranged from completely new ideas, to enhancing existing service delivery, to co-producing partnership resources, and testing workforce development approaches. The projects also addressed a continuum of need, from early intervention with children and young people, to those currently experiencing crisis and complex needs, to peer-led recovery-based activities and support. A key legacy of the Change Programme is the organisational change this Programme encouraged: a culture of testing, learning, and making evidence-based decisions on whether to continue or discontinue new ideas. The Programme support and funding allowed space for partners to try new ways of working, which would likely not have been possible within existing service budgets. Other services and organisations can benefit from the learning captured, to begin or scale up approaches tested throughout the Programme. Supporting wider cultural change across the partnership is also a key legacy, developing resources and capacity for the workforce to understand more, and adapt approaches, around trauma, stigma, and drug and alcohol use, and their impacts. The Programme also recognised the necessity of workforce support and
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Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 2025 69 development, particularly for those in emotionally demanding roles working with people in crisis. Another key legacy is the positive impact the projects have been able to achieve directly for people who use our services and their wider families, whose lives are affected by alcohol and drugs. Many people experiencing very complex and challenging needs were supported through whole system approaches adopted by projects, leading to positive engagement and outcomes, where they may not have previously sustained engagement with services. Other projects were able to enhance existing staffing models to ensure stability, and in some cases embed lived experience in service design and delivery, increasing the positive impact of projects. A number of resources were co- produced with people with lived experience, which will continue to be built on and used throughout the partnership, and beyond. The further development and enhancement of the recovery community across Renfrewshire is also a key legacy, from supporting the staffing model within CIRCLE, to Connected and Caring Renfrewshire, to the continued expansion of training and capacity building for volunteers to expand the model into more localities. The majority of projects and services developed and supported through the Change Programme are continuing beyond its lifecycle, either in full, or in part, building on the positive environment for testing new approaches, and continuing to make a positive difference for service users and staff. The level of activities that have been mainstreamed is a key marker in gauging the success of the Change Programme, and ensures a positive legacy of the work partners have worked hard to achieve. The Change Programme leaves a legacy of organisational learning and cultural change, as well as the direct positive impact for people affected by alcohol and drug use. As partners in Renfrewshire ADP, we will continue to work in partnership, and use the learning from the Change Programme and this Final Report, together with the Needs Assessment, to inform the delivery plan and future work, ensuring continued support for people affected by alcohol and drug related harms in Renfrewshire. Thank you to all the partners, third sector organisations, community groups, volunteers, and staff involved in this Programme, as well as all service users, and those who provided feedback and took part in The Lines Between’s qualitative work
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Appendix 1 70 Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme Action Plan 01 Risk of Harm ADC Recommendation 01 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update The Commission acknowledges the current work being undertaken to improve drug and alcohol services; however, changes must be made at greater pace and involve local service users and family members to a greater extent. The opportunity to take the review further and implement recommendations from both this Commission and the National Drugs Death Taskforce must not be missed. Alcohol and Drugs Partnership to undertake a review of the Commission’s recommendations against its existing work programme and national policy developments, to ensure that these are fully embedded within its approach. A key priority of ADRS and the ADP is to continue to progress with the identified improvements to service provision and delivery as timely and efficiently as possible. This will take into account all findings from the Whole-Systems Review, the Alcohol & Drug Commission and the National Drug Deaths Taskforce. A self-assessment has been carried out against the Drug Death Task Force Final Report: Changing Lives (2022), which lists a number of recommendations and evidence-based actions that will prevent drug-related harms and deaths. HSCP to review existing communication and engagement mechanisms with local service users and family members, and to explore options to strengthen and involve engagement within both ongoing programmes of work and new developments The ADP Communications post is currently vacant and will be advertised shortly for a further 18 months - Communication has been strengthened as a result of an ADP Strategy involving a number of campaigns including a focus on stigma and the development of a quarterly ADP Newsletter. The structure which supports the ADP has also been reviewed and has led to a number of new groups being set up which supports better communication with people with lived and living experience, key stakeholders and the wider community. Promotion of services has also ensured wider awareness of where to seek help and support, pathways to treatment and access to harm reduction interventions 01 Risk of Harm ADC Recommendation 02 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Humans are complex and the issues they face are not in isolation. Partners in Renfrewshire must respond to the views of local services users and their families and frontline staff, and adopt a whole system approach whereby Develop options for the possible implementation of a holistic model of service delivery involving all key partners that provide support to people experiencing issues with alcohol and drugs, with particular consideration of the partnership model being developed in Midlothian. Development of MyLA, a housing-led project providing holistic wraparound support, using many of the elements of Housing First approach. The project offers supports to households in Renfrewshire, regardless of tenure, whose life is being affected by alcohol/drugs, and builds on the concept that in order to have good health, you need to have a good, settled home.
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Appendix 1 71 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update support is wrapped around those that need it. This includes mental health, housing, employability, and criminal justice services. HSCP to continue to progress the development of the Recovery Hub in Paisley, ensuring that the hub provides a programme of activities and support which involves partners across all sectors in Renfrewshire. CIRCLE (Continuing In Recovery Changes Lives Entirely) Recovery Hub opened its doors in 2021. CIRCLE provides a unique mental health and addiction service for people looking for a recovery focus, by providing a varied programme of activities aimed at encouraging, involving and supporting people in recovery. CIRCLE has a different look and feel to anything else in Renfrewshire, having been designed with input from a group of peers at every step of the way. CIRCLE operates an open referral system and continues to scale up their service provision. Deploy link worker to enhance pathways between drug and alcohol services and criminal justice colleagues, following successful bid for funding from the Corra foundation A successful funding application was made to the Corra Foundation resulting in a (fixed term) dedicated post to enhance pathways between drug and alcohol services and justice colleagues. This post has now come to an end. 01 Risk of Harm ADC Recommendation 03 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Support should move away from a focus on a buildings-based model to one that is rooted within communities. Where services and support are accessed within a building - these must be provided in modern, safe, accessible and trauma informed facilities which support front line staff and service users to work together in the most person-centred way. Existing buildings, such as those at Back Sneddon Street, are not fit for purpose and must be improved urgently. Review existing accommodation portfolio as a key priority, in order to identify the best way forward for delivering alcohol and drug recovery services in Renfrewshire. The review will include consideration of the urgent improvements to existing buildings, or alternative options within the community. Back Sneddon Street hosts both the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service (ADRS) and three Justice Social Work services. Various reviews, over a number of years, have identified a range of issues in relation to the delivery of services from this building, such as personal safety and stigma. The Commission identified: “Support should move away from a focus on a buildings-based model to one that is rooted within communities. Where services and support are accessed within a building —these must be provided in modern, safe, accessible and trauma informed facilities which support front line staff and service users to work together in the most person-centred way. Existing buildings such as those at Back Sneddon Street are not fit for purpose and must be improved urgently.” Whilst the Programme did not in its core phase allocate funding to proposals relating to Back Sneddon Street, improvements have been progressed by: • expanding use of space in other buildings across Renfrewshire, for example the Torley Unit (Dykebar Hospital), New Sneddon Street, Johnstone Health Centre and Renfrew Health and Social Work Centre to support a shift to a more community-based model • undertaking property reviews through a trauma-informed lens with service users • implementing minor improvement works, such as renovating and redecorating, which have generated improvements to the environments where people receive support Feedback in relation to the décor enhancements has been positive - “impressed with the recent changes to the waiting room”, “much better than a few years ago”, “it feels so different”, “nice bright, open, well lit”, “way better than expected”. However, some feedback received in relation to the building overall is that it’s “intimidating to walk up to this building”, “the fact it says addiction and criminal justice makes me feel like I’ve done something wrong before even getting into the building”.
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Appendix 1 72 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update A funding proposal to make further improvements was being considered by the Programme Board as the Programme neared its conclusion, and is currently being progressed as part of the final legacy that the Programme has aimed to achieve. 01 Risk of Harm ADC Recommendation 04 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update The reach of local alcohol and drugs services needs to significantly increase, and partners must ensure that there is capacity across the whole system to support people experiencing all different levels of harm from their use of alcohol and drugs. Assertive outreach to those experiencing the highest level of harm should be a high priority for services. Develop assertive outreach programme to work holistically with people with complex needs that may be unlikely to engage with addiction services. Two temporary specialist outreach roles have been funded by the HSCP, with the additional funding being used to expand this programme more significantly to involve other services such as housing and third and voluntary sector groups over a 2 year period. The HaRRT service provides harm reduction services to individuals on an outreach, flexible, and accessible manner, to reduce the risk of overdose and other drug related harms, and to proactively link individuals into treatment and support services. It is delivered through a purpose-built van which is equipped with a small clinical treatment room and some medical supplies. 01 Risk of Harm ADC Recommendation 05 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Specific gaps in provision identified by service users, family members and frontline staff need to be addressed locally. Access to residential rehabilitation services and the availability of 24/7 crisis services were viewed as significant gaps in Renfrewshire, and with enhanced community provision, will ensure a Commission crisis-based mental health service as a test of change for a period of 18 months, with a view to considering opportunities to provide support through mainstream support services if issues such as barriers to access and stigma can be addressed successfully. First Crisis – Alcohol and Drugs, delivered from April 2022-April 2024, providing intervention and support to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in relation to, or alongside, their alcohol and/or drug use. Delivered by Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH), a charity based in Renfrewshire, the service built on the existing support available through the First Crisis service, by recruiting specialist drug and alcohol practitioners, training and upskilling RAMH staff, and promoting the service to new service users. Review available funding to support the commissioning of bed- based rehabilitation services. Scottish Government recently A recent development is the creation of the Residential Rehabilitation Oversight Group which serves as a governance and quality assurance group responsible for overseeing the delivery and
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Appendix 1 73 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update continuum of support is available in Renfrewshire. announced potential funding for local partnerships to support increased use of these services, however the detail of this is not yet known. performance of ADP funded residential rehabilitation services. This will also include reviewing data on outcomes, referrals, waiting times and feedback from people who access residential rehab. A Review of the current residential rehabilitation pathway has been commissioned which will evaluate how effectively the current system supports individuals in accessing and benefiting from residential rehabilitation services including how well the pathway supports recovery outcomes. In recognition of the need to ensure that a continuum of support is available to support recovery across communities, a Recovery Change Fund will be established, sector organisations to access funding to support tests of change in relation to mental health, recovery, stigma and social isolation in particular. Relates To Action 13.1 01 Risk of Harm ADC Recommendation 06 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Local service providers must involve people with lived experience in the ongoing development of alcohol and drug and mental health services locally and listen to their views. There was a clear disconnect between what supports service users and families thought were available in Renfrewshire, and the views of services themselves. It was clear services do exist but that communication and signposting to these is not working. Explore options to establish a lived experience / living experience panel or forum in Renfrewshire, looking at best practice examples across other areas Nationally, £500,000 has been made available to support local lived and living experience forums, The ADP continues to recognise the important insight that people who use our services can give us. The Lived Experience Forum was established and continues to influence the development of policies and services, and is a subgroup of the ADP structure.
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Appendix 1 74 01 Risk of Harm ADC Recommendation 07 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update There are potentially high numbers of people experiencing hidden harm from alcohol and drug use in Renfrewshire. Partners should undertake a robust joint assessment of the level and nature of harm and how this is changing over time. This should be undertaken on an annual basis in order to inform the development of services at a local level. Commission an independent research survey into hidden levels of drug and alcohol use in Renfrewshire to support a detailed needs assessment to be undertaken by partners in Summer 2021. It is important that partners across Renfrewshire better understand the level of hidden harm in Renfrewshire, recognising that local drug and alcohol services will not engage with all people experiencing issues with alcohol and drugs locally. This is important to understanding how services can better reach out to support people at an early stage. Independent research was commissioned, and completed by We are With You over summer 2021. We are With You presented the findings to the November Programme Board, as well as the February Alcohol and Drug Partnership meeting. Findings are being shared with partners and any further analysis on the data can be carried out if helpful. An overview summary paper has been developed and can be shared as well. 01 Risk of Harm ADC Recommendation 08 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Partners need to address gaps in the local data available on alcohol-related harm. This should be prioritised, and it is recommended that partners introduce an annual review of alcohol related deaths now, rather than waiting for this to become a national reporting requirement in the future. Options to be explored in terms of recruiting an Alcohol and Drugs data and research officer role on a Renfrewshire or partnership basis, with potential to link to academic institutions recognised for work in this area. An ADP Senior Information Analyst has been recruited Annual review of alcohol related deaths to be led by the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, with the first review to take place in summer 2021. Renfrewshire ADP recognises that the number of alcohol specific death figures are concerning and have taken a forward-thinking approach by recruiting an Alcohol Specific Deaths Prevention Lead Officer. This is a funded post for 12 months and will provide a unique opportunity to examine data related to alcohol specific deaths and explore ways to reduce harm by carrying out thematic reviews to inform service delivery going forward. This post has been extended for a further 12 months and will carry out a comparison of 2022 and 2023 alcohol specific data. The ADP currently provides part funding for the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Drug Deaths Research Associate to assist in reviewing and monitoring drug related deaths in Renfrewshire. There are discussions underway to replicate this process for alcohol related deaths subject to accessing funding.
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Appendix 1 75 01 Risk of Harm ADC Recommendation 09 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Partners must provide leadership and introduce a programme of naloxone training across partners agencies, to ensure that local responders, service providers and communities are able to deliver life-saving interventions within local communities. Recruit peer support worker funded by the National Drugs Death Taskforce to increase the distribution of Naloxone across relevant partner organisations. An ADP funded post has been recruited by HSCP - Health Improvement to focus on this area. This has led to Renfrewshire ADP exceeding GGC targets for the distribution of Naloxone and training. Develop and ambitious training programme with national organisations which will aim to ensure all relevant staff and organisations across Renfrewshire are aware of naloxone and are supported to access life saving kits where appropriate within their organisations. A dedicated post to support the prevention of drug-related deaths in Renfrewshire was recruited to in September 2021. The ADP Drug Deaths Prevention Lead Officer has been working with all relevant partners to deliver local and national recommendations. This has led to the development of the Drug Deaths Prevention Group; the expansion of the provision of Naloxone throughout Renfrewshire, and the investigation of drug-related deaths to inform future preventative activities, as part of the Drug Deaths Review Group. A multiagency Naloxone Delivery Group has been established with the goal of expanding Naloxone availability throughout Renfrewshire. The Group has developed a work plan which focuses on reducing barriers to receiving Naloxone, addressing stigma, raising the profile of Naloxone and providing more learning opportunities for overdose awareness. The distribution of Naloxone continues to target those most at risk of overdose through supply by local services including ADRS, CIRCLE, HaRRT, the Overdose Response Team, pharmacies, and needle exchanges. This post has been extended to 2026. 01 Risk of Harm ADC Recommendation 10 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Services must strengthen work being done to protect those at highest risk of harm from blood borne viruses through drug use. This includes offering rapid testing for HIV and Hepatitis C and supporting those who receive a positive diagnosis to attend appointments and to sustain and follow medical guidance. Local drug and alcohol services have been selected to participate in a dry blood spot self- testing pilot, aiming to educate and normalise frequent testing across Renfrewshire. This is now complete, with a report available, including recommendations and next steps. Including a recommendation that all those in the care of alcohol and drug recovery services are tested at least annually.
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Appendix 1 76 01 Risk of Harm ADC Recommendation 11 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Partners should support the work of the National Drug Deaths Taskforce and maximise all opportunities to pilot or implement new and innovative approaches recommended by the Taskforce in Renfrewshire to reduce drug related harm. Opportunities for joint working are being explored with the national taskforce. The ADP already supports the work of the National Drug Deaths Taskforce and was successful in applying for funding to implement a suite of actions to reduce and prevent the number of drug related deaths in Renfrewshire. This includes the recruitment of a dedicated Drug Deaths Prevention Co-ordinator, a Peer Support Worker and enhanced treatment options. In addition to this, the ADP was also successful in receiving funding to implement a Test of Change. This will involve recruiting two Navigator posts who will be based at the RAH to connect and provide assertive outreach with individuals who are not in contact with treatment and care services. Funded by the Drug Deaths Taskforce, the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Overdose Response Team launched in Renfrewshire in September 2021. This contract has ended with Turning Point, and HaRRT carries out this function now The two navigator posts in RAH have been in place for a number of years, with a performance activity report available. These posts still exist within the RAH, but are not funded by the ADP. 02 Mental Health ADC Recommendation 12 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Partners should go further and be more ambitious in terms of establishing the local approach to trauma informed practice. Leaders must champion greater understanding of the impact of trauma and ensure that this is reflected in the way that staff work across all frontline services. Develop and implement a new Trauma Informed Renfrewshire programme, working with national organisations to ensure that all partners, services and frontline staff respond effectively to the impact of trauma on local people and communities. This is likely to include an extensive multi agency training programme and targeted work to develop trauma informed working practices and service environments across all sectors. Trauma Informed and Responsive Renfrewshire (TIRR) - The TIRR roadmap was approved by Leadership Board in February 2024. Training has been delivered to a range of teams across the Council, and there has been engagement with our partner organisations One Ren and Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership. Officers continue to engage in regional and national trauma networks, as well as with partner organisations including the Improvement Service and NHS Education Scotland. Work will now progress on a partnership basis.
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Appendix 1 77 02 Mental Health ADC Recommendation 13 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Services must take action to improve access to and information about the services and supports which are available to people experiencing mental health issues in Renfrewshire. This must extend beyond formal health care services, with investment made in lower level support services that people can access informally at a community level when they need them. Establish a Recovery Change Fund in Renfrewshire, providing an opportunity for community and voluntary sector organisations to access funding to support tests of change in relation to mental health, recovery, stigma and social isolation in particular. These tests of change will be used to inform the future design of services in Renfrewshire. The aim of the Recovery Change Fund was to support the development of local groups and organisations which provide social connection and support recovery in Renfrewshire. The Fund was also intended to provide opportunities to support piloting new ideas and projects in relation to mental health, recovery, stigma, and social isolation. Funding was made available for groups and organisations to apply for, against specific criteria developed, with three funding rounds over the period July 2022 to February 2023. The Recovery Change Fund undertook a review over summer 2023, following lower than anticipated engagement with the Fund. It was agreed by Programme Board to discontinue the Fund in this form and explore enhancing other funding streams supporting communities, with a portion of funding being allocated to enhance the Winter Connections Programme budget. 03 Prevention and Early Intervention ADC Recommendation 14 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Community Planning Partners must demonstrate leadership in terms of alcohol provision and availability. This should include but is not limited to: • creating safe spaces within buildings by removing the sale or provision of alcohol • promoting alcohol free policies and culture within the workplace, including in school and leisure facilities • supporting staff impacted by the use of alcohol Undertake a targeted programme of work with community planning partners, gaining commitment from each partners to demonstrate leadership and to introduce revised policies and practices which recognise the impact of alcohol promotion and supply across communities and workplaces. A Health Improvement Lead partnership officer was recruited to drive policy change across Renfrewshire, focusing on issues such as alcohol availability, supply and promotion and also how employers across Renfrewshire can identify and respond to support people and their families who are affected by alcohol use. In terms of activities, Workplace Alcohol Policy reviews are continuing to progress with Renfrewshire Council and West College Scotland. The Health Improvement Lead took on the role as Chair of Renfrewshire Licensing Forum, (further detail below) Police Scotland run an annual Proxy Purchase campaign nationally that is implemented within Renfrewshire, this involves a social media campaign and Police visits to licensed premises. In order to increase awareness of this campaign and messages, the Health Improvement Lead worked with the ADP to establish a multiagency group to support and strengthen future campaigns. Work took place to build partnerships locally to promote alcohol free policies and culture within the workplaces and community facilities, including with Renfrewshire Council Children’s Services and OneRen to review how this recommendation can be implemented in schools and sports centres. Work took place with Engage to look at how alcohol is often used within the Third Sector in fundraising and how to support Council and HSCP to work collaboratively to deliver health improvement activities in relation to alcohol use, with funding allocated to support the recruitment of a health improvement lead
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Appendix 1 78 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update • promoting awareness of alcohol harm across the workforce • committing to end alcohol-related advertising on or within partner buildings or sites. that will work with partners and communities to identify and support opportunities for changes in behaviour and practice. organisations to move away from this model in Renfrewshire. The Health Improvement Lead worked in partnership with Public Health Scotland to produce alcohol harms data at neighbourhood level in Renfrewshire. This included neighbourhood level data on alcohol related hospital admissions, alcohol related mental health admissions and alcohol specific deaths. This information was shared with relevant stakeholders including Community Councils to empower them in their role within the licensing process. 03 Prevention and Early Intervention ADC Recommendation 15 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Renfrewshire Licensing Board should continue to use all of its available powers to limit alcohol related harm in Renfrewshire, and Renfrewshire Council should lobby Scottish Government to ensure that the licensing board can further strengthen its role in terms of improving health and wellbeing. Engage with the Licensing Board on the Commission’s findings and identify opportunities to provide further local data and information from the alcohol needs assessment that will be undertaken during Summer 2021/ The Health Improvement Lead took on the role as Chair of Renfrewshire Licensing Forum. The role of this Forum is to review the activity of the Licensing Board and give the Board feedback, advice and recommendations. After consultation with Forum members, a workplan has been developed which will look to strengthen its role in Renfrewshire. Key priorities are to increase member’s knowledge around the 5 licensing objectives and to recruit local young people to the Forum. To support the Licensing Board provide greater information is provided to better inform decision- making, including local alcohol harms data and updates from local services around the impact of alcohol in Renfrewshire. The Health Improvement Lead, in partnership with the Licensing Forum, also proposed a multi partner information event for Licensing Board members, to provide local intelligence and service feedback on how best to tackle alcohol related issues with a view to preventing crime and disorder, securing public safety, preventing public nuisance, protecting and improving public health and protecting children from harm. This will strengthen and complement the mandatory Licensing Board training delivered by Alcohol Focus Scotland.
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Appendix 1 79 03 Prevention and Early Intervention ADC Recommendation 16 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Statutory services must continue to ensure that Sheriffs are aware of the range of drug, alcohol and mental health services available in Renfrewshire, eligibility for these and how these can be best utilised to provide support and interventions within sentencing. Partnership review of existing mechanisms to be undertaken with more detailed exploration of key priorities going forward. We have worked with Community Justice Scotland to develop a refreshed online directory of community justice support available throughout Renfrewshire. Published in September 2024, the Community Interventions and Support Directory presents sheriffs, defence lawyers, prosecution and social workers with options relating to the alcohol, drug, and mental health needs of presenting individuals. This instils greater confidence in judicial decision making and encourages greater use of community-based recovery and rehabilitation, where it is safe to do so. We know that recovery and rehabilitation is an individual journey, and this is why we have taken time to identify innovative and creative ways of learning from justice clients who do and would benefit from support services. Our community justice and alcohol and drug services work closely to share and reflect on insight relating to clients’ experience and impact of such services. This collaboration helps us adapt and refine our provision for this population. Sharing this insight with a broad range of partners has helped us take a strategic approach to commissioning, ensuring services addressing other needs, such as employability, are able to take clients through specialist pathways that are sensitive to their broader circumstances. We continue to make progress in integrating and complementing local alcohol, drug and mental health supports with other justice measures such as diversion, structured deferred sentences, bail supervision and voluntary support upon release from short sentences. One key aspect of this is training, with justice staff having completed Alcohol Brief Intervention training and scheduled to receive justice-specific mental health training from Penumbra through NHS GGC. 03 Prevention and Early Intervention ADC Recommendation 17 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Review local level data on, and approaches to, addressing Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Renfrewshire to consider how best to reduce the number of children impacted by alcohol prior to birth. HSCP and Children’s services to undertake review of current local data and practices in relation to FASD, with potential to explore this issue in partnership with other neighbouring local authorities and academic institutions to assess the impact of FASD in Renfrewshire. Considered at the October 2022 Alcohol and Drugs Programme Board, with agreement not to progress at this time.
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Appendix 1 80 04 Young People and Families ADC Recommendation 18 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update The work that young people in Renfrewshire are leading to improve Personal and Social Education in schools on issues such as drugs and alcohol and mental health, needs to be implemented as a priority by Renfrewshire Council. Provide enhanced education and training in relation to alcohol and drugs issues across Renfrewshire's learning establishments. This will closely align to the work young people have been leading in terms of personal and social education on these issues. Children’s Services, in partnership with I Am Me Scotland, have developed a digital, interactive, and progressive curricular programme in substance use for early years to senior phase, aligned to the principles of Curriculum for Excellence, and reflecting the context of alcohol and drug use within Renfrewshire. The ‘Alcohol and Substance Awareness Education’ pack, including nursery, primary, and secondary resources, has been produced with Renfrewshire Children’s Services, Teachers, Police Scotland, NHS, Renfrewshire HSCP and, most importantly, children, young people, and those who have lived experience of drug and alcohol use. The resources have been made available to schools, and training has also been provided for teachers. 04 Young People and Families ADC Recommendation 19 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Young people should not be anxious about transferring from their existing service into an adult focused alcohol and drug service. Targeted consultation should be undertaken on this issue and should focus on the beneficial relationships that young people need to address their needs, rather than what age they are. Undertake a review of transitions between children’s and adult alcohol and drugs service in partnership with young people using the service, and staff across the HSCP and Children’s Services to understand the journey for young people as they transition through service and the impact that this has on their life outcomes. Considered at the October 2022 Alcohol and Drugs Programme Board, with agreement not to progress at this time. Undertake a cohort study of young people using the RADAR service over the past 5 years, in order to assess ongoing need for support throughout early adulthood. Considered at the October 2022 Alcohol and Drugs Programme Board, with agreement not to progress at this time.
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Appendix 1 81 04 Young People and Families ADC Recommendation 20 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Recognising the at times distressing evidence that the Commission heard on the impact of alcohol and drug use for families, partners should undertake a review of existing family support provision. Particular focus must be on the support that is available to children and young people who are impacted by parental drug or alcohol use. In addition, as Renfrewshire considers its response to the Independent Care Review it should explore how the family support model developed reflects fully the principles of The Promise. Commission a whole family review of support services in Renfrewshire, which support people and family members that are or have been impacted by alcohol and drug use, with a key aim of identifying potential gaps in provision and opportunities for engaging with community and third sector organisations to develop these further. An independent review of family support services in relation to alcohol and drugs services locally was carried out by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD), to assess where possible gaps in provision exist, and to make recommendations on how these should be addressed. The work also included workforce development sessions, and a Family Recovery College course. A working group comprising relevant services met to discuss the findings, map them against existing activity, and to identify actions for further exploration. During this work it was identified that there were opportunities to explore additionality/addressing gaps noted in the Review report. However, with recent work taking place to review current provision within Children’s Services and ADRS in this area, with a recent report provided to CAPADU, the group identified the opportunity for the Family Support Review to be embedded into this established programme of work. It was agreed that the review and the mapping work should be incorporated into the CAPADU structure, to be taken forward, and to feed into existing work exploring current provision, opportunities to address gaps, utilise available funding etc. 04 Young People and Families ADC Recommendation 21 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Children and young people need to be able to access the right type of support for any mental health issues including lower levels anxiety and stress. Partners should review current mental health provision for young people and ensure that this meets all levels of need. Develop an intensive mental health support programme for children and young people who may be experiencing difficulties in relation to alcohol and drug use and mental health. This will be informed by a recent multiagency mapping exercise of local provision, with further engagement also required with young people, families and frontline staff. A Youth Health and Wellbeing Service was piloted from September 2022 to December 2023, and provided drop-in facilities for young people to access to both health and wellbeing support direct from health professionals, as well as offering access to a Circuit Class. Delivered once a week in the Paisley Lagoon Centre, the Service complemented the wider health and wellbeing work taking place across Renfrewshire.
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Appendix 1 82 04 Young People and Families ADC Recommendation 22 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Partners should work with local retailers and communities to effectively target proxy purchase of alcohol in communities. Develop and implement partnership campaign with local stakeholders and businesses to reduce the prevalence of the proxy purchase of alcohol in Renfrewshire. Police Scotland run an annual Proxy Purchase campaign nationally that is implemented within Renfrewshire, this involves a social media campaign and Police visits to licensed premises. In order to increase awareness of this campaign and messages, the Health Improvement Lead is working with the ADP to establish a multiagency group to support and strengthen future campaigns. The ADP structure has been reviewed and will continue to progress this as part of the ADP Prevention and Education Group. 05 Recovery ADC Recommendation 23 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Lived experience needs to be the beating heart of the approach to recovery in Renfrewshire. This needs to be a strong and meaningful partnership for all, with lived experience being fully embedded into everything that happens - from employment to training to service development and design. Linked to actions 6.1, 26.2, 27.2 This action is linked to actions 6.1, 26.2, 27.2, and one of the Programme Outcomes is "valuing lived and living experience", with projects being asked to demonstrate and provide evidence towards this
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Appendix 1 83 05 Recovery ADC Recommendation 24 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Alcohol and Drug Services should pilot Recovery Advocacy / Rights in Recovery in partnership with the Scottish Recovery Consortium and Reach Advocacy to strengthen Renfrewshire's rights-based approach to recovery. Explore options with the Scottish Recovery Consortium and local advocacy services to discuss the possibility of developing a pilot in Renfrewshire of Advocacy Rights in Recovery. In considering evidence for MAT Standard 8 'All people have access to independent advocacy and support for housing, welfare and income needs', it was observed that people affected by alcohol and drugs were not readily accessing Renfrewshire's existing advocacy service, You First Advocacy. To support more people to engage, the ADP has funded a dedicated Alcohol and Drugs Advocacy Worker post to be part of the Team within You First Advocacy. This role will increase the number of people attending for advocacy who have been affected by alcohol or drugs, establishing referral pathways and building relationships between ADP partners and You First Advocacy. The role will also increase capacity within organisations to understand the role of advocacy for people affected by alcohol and drugs, and the stigma which can impede access to advocacy and advice services. Currently reviewing the impact of the post to inform the future of the service. 06 Relationships and Connections ADC Recommendation 25 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Recognising the value of lived experience and social connections, local alcohol and drug services should employ link workers and develop a peer support network to assist individuals and families to navigate services, support and activities. Investment must also be made to support the development of local groups and organisations which provide social connection and support recovery. Significantly expand and develop a peer support model in Renfrewshire, recognising the value of lived experience and the importance of positive relationships to support local people in their recovery journey. This will build on recent work to recruit two specialist outreach nurse posts who will be based at the RAH. These posts will connect with individuals within their own homes and communities to provide relevant treatment and support. The Commission heard that often people who use drugs and alcohol would benefit from peer support as they worked towards recovery. A Peer Coordinator and two peer workers have been recruited, and are actively promoting recovery within CIRCLE and within wider communities. CIRCLE (Continuing in Recovery Changes Lives Entirely) is a Recovery Hub in Renfrewshire for individuals affected by mental health and/or alcohol and drugs, based on a peer-led model that involves people with lived and living experience in all aspects of service planning. The model delivers a core programme of activities and is developing links for future implementation. Current service provision includes activities such as a book group, gardening group, focus group, football, drama etc. These posts will also be complemented by the recruitment of two Navigator posts which will also be funded by the Drug Deaths Task Force. These posts will also aim to connect with individuals affected by alcohol/drugs and This action is linked to Action 01.11
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Appendix 1 84 06 Relationships and Connections ADC Recommendation 26 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update It is more critical than ever given COVID-19, that barriers to recovery such as loneliness and isolation and stigma are prioritised by partners. Partners should designate 2021 as Renfrewshire's year of connection, and plan a year of action with all partners and communities involved in some way. Develop plan of action to support greater communication and engagement across the whole of Renfrewshire on recovery, with the ambition of Renfrewshire to be regarded as the first local authority of recovery for alcohol/drugs and mental health. See below Connected and Caring Renfrewshire programme. Consider opportunities to develop a year of connection programme, the timescales for which may be impacted by the ongoing COVID pandemic The Scottish Recovery Consortium (SRC), working in partnership with CIRCLE, developed a programme of events and activities throughout 2022, with the ambition of building a strong recovery community in Renfrewshire, linking with the wider community through positively promoting recovery. A Host Group involving SRC, CIRCLE, and a number of local partners, co-produced and delivered a series of local events and activities, such as Barshaw Park Gala Day, Blend Event, Live it Up in Linwood, Connected and Caring Carnival, the Art of Recovery Festival, and the Recovery Walk Scotland, which took place in Paisley on 24 September 2022 during Scotland’s celebration of International Recovery. The Programme was joint funded by Renfrewshire ADP and the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme. Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update engage them with treatment and support services The ADP provides funding to the long established and successful Sunshine Recovery Café; that is a valuable resource in Renfrewshire to connect with individuals affected by alcohol/drugs and or mental health Sunshine Recovery has now disbanded, with many of the staff now employed in CIRCLE. There will be scope in the future to develop a new resource, with the ADP potentially creating a planning post looking at this. Recovery opportunities continue to be enhanced with the further development of a hub and spoke model in Renfrewshire.
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Appendix 1 85 06 Relationships and Connections ADC Recommendation 27 Recommendation Proposed Actions Latest Update Partners must act robustly to eradicate stigma and have positive recovery conversations with communities and the workforce, including through engagement with local media. People with lived experience in Renfrewshire must play a leading role in the planning, development and delivery of this work. Develop multiagency training and communications materials which aim to eliminate stigma and change the conversation locally around alcohol and drug use and the aim of recovery. Workforce training resources have been developed by I Am Me Scotland, aiming to improve the understanding, awareness, and confidence of the workforce in relation to stigmatising language around alcohol and drugs. The resources have been co-developed with the support of people with lived experience of drug and alcohol use, addiction, recovery, and the stigma associated with this. The interactive learning materials include a number of short films, including people’s personal experiences of stigma, and they encourage participants to challenge their own views, attitudes, behaviours, and language, as well as those of colleagues. Work to align the resources with current and emerging pieces of work, such as Making Every Contact Count is currently progressing, as part of the Connected Communities Programme. Linked to actions above, there is a requirement to consider options for developing a lived experience panel or community voices type forum which would ensure meaningful engagement with people impacted most by stigma. Linked to Action 6.1
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