In Touch Project

 

Past Events

 

 

January 2012

We start a brand new Year and look back over what we achieved during 2011. Not bad for a small project although we say it ourselves. It's been hard work, but seeing people moving forward in their lives and starting on a Recovery Journey of their own is what makes it all worth while.

 

Peer Group

Xmas and New Year is such a difficult time for many Concerned Others. Our first group of the year and many were able to share the happy times as well as the difficult times. Sharing happy moments is important to give hope to others. Nine people attended the group today and contacts are now also being made outside of the group which is fantastic. Building our own support networks with others can reduce isolation and stigma. Our second part of the group was spent reviewing our plans for the group and deciding on future workshops. Fun is definately high on the agenda for this group during the year!

 

December 2011

Peer Group met for the third time. Thank you Maria for the wonderful hand massages and to Jo for her taster session in Emotional Freedom Technique. After the session of sharing with each other, it was good to relax and have some fun. There were lots of smiles and it was good to see people getting to know each other better.

 

November 2011

Second Peer Support group took place. Our thanks go to Lorraine who came and gave a very inspiring talk of her journey with addiction and her road to recovery.

 

November 2011: Mindfulness Art Retreat

Six Concerned Others travelled to Dorset for a two day respite and Mindfulness Art Retreat. This gave an opportunity for people to connect with each other and learn new skills which can be used in everyday life to help with difficult situations

 

November 2011: Loss Workshop

A one day workshop was attended by fourteen Concerned Others. In Touch recognises that many people have a huge amount of losses to deal with and often the losses are unrecognised. This workshop was an opportunity to share with others in a safe environment and use creative forms of collage to work through these issues.

 

October 2011

A discussion group set up to review the new Peer Support Group, was followed by a friendly game of skittles and buffet. Some excellent skittle skills were 'unmasked' and our thanks go to Rob who kindly agreed to do the hard work of 'Sticking up' for us - thank you. Our thanks also go to the Walton Inn in Street for providing our venue and buffet at such an excellent cost because of the cause.

 

October 2011: Peer Support Group

Our first Peer Support Group meeting was held in Glastonbury, seven Concerned Others attended. The group gave an opportunity for people to drop in and build friendships and collect information on support services available.

 

This group will now be running the 1st Saturday of each month in Glastonbury. Contact us for further information.

 

September 2011: Alternative to Violence Course

This two and a half day course was held in the beautiful setting of Abbey House in Glastonbury. Fourteen Concerned Others attended. We were able to explore ways of dealing with anger and conflict which many have to deal with regularly.

www.avpbritain.org.uk

 

August 2011: Laughter Workshop

Twenty-three Concerned Others attended a Laughter Workshop afternoon, giving people an opportunity to meet and connect with others and to spend some time having fun.

 

July 2011: Lyme Regis Trip

We organised a trip for eight Concerned Others to visit Lyme Regis for the day. This provided an opportunity for respite and has also helped people build support networks. A great day was had by all and the weather was kind.

 

18 June 2011: Our Second Information Day

The day brought many main support services in Somerset together providing a fantastic opportunity for building relationships. Sixty-five people attended the day. From evaluations completed 100% of attendees said they were more informed about local services and 99% said they were more able to signpost Concerned Others to relevant sources of help. It was amazing how many professionals were unaware of services being offered by other organisations. If organisations do not know what is available then how will the community find out about services?

 

May-June 2011: Computer Skills Course

Over four sessions we arranged for a group of nine Concerned Others to attend IT Training using their own laptops. One person had never turned on a computer before and others were able to learn new skills.

 

February-June 2011: Creative Writing for Recovery

Nine sessions of Creative Writing were delivered by Jo Waterworth. Nine Concerned Others attended the course. The workshop provided a range of tools improving coping strategies, friendship, support and a fantastic opportunity for people to use writing as a means of expressing very difficult emotions. This course was very successful and participants were sorry the course had to end. A future follow on course could be planned if funding were successful to do this. This group created and read their own poem at the Community Information Day, entitled ‘Recovery means’.

 

Quote from one person – “Your writing course has been a great help in my recovery. Being able to share this in a safe group is helping me accept and have more hope in moving on. Also the warmth and friendship has given me something to look forward to each week.”

 

December 2010: Mindfulness

A group of six Concerned Others attended the Othona Community in Dorset to take part in a day of Mindfulness meditation. This was followed by staying overnight and giving people an opportunity to have respite from their situation and build new friendships.

Bishop of Bath and Wells Moat Boat Race – 30th August 2010

In Touch was the Bishop’s choice of charity in 2009, so this year we wanted to contribute and give something back. With the aid of a merry band of volunteers, we were able to enter a raft in the race as well as man a stall.

Full details with photos here!

 

Parents and Carers Training (PACT) Programme

During the summer of 2010 the In Touch Project ran our first 5-day Parents and Carers Training (PACT) programme.

Full description with feedback here.

 

Information Day – Saturday, 23rd January 2010

Our first Information Day was a resounding success with 48 attendees, a huge thank you to all the family members and concerned others that attended. There were also a number of people who attended as representatives from a variety of organisations who also contributed to the day's success and deserve our special thanks. Abbey House in Glastonbury was an ideal location, tranquil and welcoming with a marvellous view of Glastonbury Abbey.

 

Speakers were from the In Touch Project, Turning Point, On the Level, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Domestic Abuse, Elim Connect Centre and Phil Harris talking about his Parents and Carers Treatment (PACT) Programme. A personal story from someone in recovery from addiction concluded the day. All the presentations were well received and all were willing to answer questions and deal with queries on an individual basis. Phil Harris was extremely well received, outlining his radical approach that empowers concerned others to influence their loved one's recovery, and which is being trialled and tested in the UK. We are looking forward to running workshops in the very near future with Phil Harris, so if you are interested, please let us know.

 

The In Touch Project is all about helping concerned others, over 18 who live in Somerset, access the services they require when they require it. The Information Day helped link these services together, something we sincerely hope will be improved upon in the future. One of the Project's main aims is to build and promote strong networks that may help reduce isolation.

 

The volunteers at the In Touch Project have been really encouraged by all the support and positive comments about the day. Once again thank you.

 

One Day Workshops

Over the last few months we have been holding a number of One Day Educational Workshops, to help us gain more understanding.

 

The workshops have been facilitated by Broadway Lodge of Weston S Mare and Action on Addiction (Families Plus). To see more about see www.broadwaylodge.co.uk and www.actiononaddiction.org.uk Both hold residential Family Programmes (information also available on our Links pages)

 

We are now aiming to acquire funding for future workshops.

 

 If you are interested in attending please contact us.

 

Quotes from previous workshops: