Network June July 2015

ISSUE 32

NETWORK THE COMMUNIT Y SPIRIT SPECIAL

CLIMBING HIGH

BARNSLEY ROCK CLIMBING

JUNE / JULY 2015

HIKING

OUTWARD BOUNDS IN THE PEAKS

recovery street

RECOVERY STREET FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR 2015

THE BIG LUNCH

PHOENIX COMMUNIT Y EVENTS

CELEBRATIONS

21 YEARS IN SCOTLAND

EDITOR’S LETTER Welcome to June and July’s bumper edition of Network. This month we’re all about Community Spirit at Phoenix, and finding out all the goings on around the organisation.

In this issue:

• • • • • • •

Phoenix Scotland’s 21st Birthday Community Spirit in Hampshire The Big Lunch Recovery Street Film Festival Outwards Bounds Taking the Reins and..

Sharing Aspirations in Trafford Deborah Mackay - Editor

Network is all about sharing news, stories and best practice around the Phoenix Futures group. After this month, Network will take on a new online format and we will soon send quarterly bumper editions out to services after the launch of SharePoint.

Please continue to share your stories with us sending them through to internal. comms@phoenix-futures.org.uk Summary: By submitting a short summary of your news we will be able to develop your content into a full article or feature. This only needs to be one to two paragraphs.

Article: If you would like to write a full article the word count is approximately 350 words. Think about what you want to share and what the main points are. Keeping wording short and simple will help keep readers engaged.

Photos: It’s great to have photos to accompany news and articles. The best way to send photos is to attach them in an email. When sending photos please include names of those pictured.

To get the best out of your photos (and show off your content) why not try these top tips?

• Lighting: Whichever camera you use lighting is important. Make sure there’s plenty of light indoors or go

outdoors for natural light.

• Keep steady: Use two hands to steady your camera / smartphone and get a good clear image.

• Frame it: Think about what you want in your photo and avoid clutter. If you want to zoom in it’s often best

to move closer rather than rely on the zoom, which can reduce picture quality.

For more tips on getting the best snaps why not search the web? There are plenty of great articles like this from techradar.

Editorial process: All content will be reviewed and edited if needed to fit with the overall tone and theme of the magazine.

What’s on at Phoenix A round up of events happening around Phoenix over the next month...

THE BIG BBQ AT LONG YARD Friday 17th March - midday - 3pm.

Long Yard Detox Service 8-9 Long Yard, London WC1N 3LU Following our Big Lunch events that ran through June, our Foundation66 Long Yard service is putting on a Big BBQ. Join the team for a delicious lunch, music, festivities and have a guided tour of the service.

Please RSVP to Heather Szubert at heather.szubert@phoenix-futures.org.uk or call 020 7404 1117.

PHOENIX 5-A-SIDE Wednesday 26th August Rutland Sports Park in Ilkeston, Derbyshire It’s time to put your best players forward to represent your service at the first national Phoenix 5 a-side Football Tournament. Everyone is invited to play or cheer on their side at the all-day event at Rutland Sports Park in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

Services can enter one or more teams which must be made up of male and female players, preferably staff and service users. Contact Stuart Plant (07964 976169) or Dave Potts (07815 494664) for more details and to register your team’s name by 19 August.

THE BIG PICNIC Friday 24th July Heartwood Forest, St Albans You are invited to the Phoenix Futures Big Picnic on Friday 24 July at Heartwood Forest in St Albans. This staff, service user and graduate event will be our biggest reunion yet, and will include walks to see the first trees planted in the Phoenix Forest, a picnic feast and a celebration of all our service users, past and present.

Please RSVP to Laura Manners at laura.manners@phoenix-futures.org.uk or call on 0207 234 9777.

WIRRAL KENNELS OPENING Tuesday 7th July at 12pm Wirral Residential Join us for the opening of the Phoenix Futures Wirral Residential Service’s New Kennels. We are the first rehab in the country to provide comfortable, heated and well-maintained kennels for our residents at no extra charge.

Please RSVP to Jennifer Threlfall at jennifer.threlfall@phoenix-futures.org.uk or call on 0151 652 2667.

BELIEVE IN BEING THE BEST

Phoenix Push Ups The Phoenix Push Ups is an opportunity to highlight the great work done by our colleagues and volunteers. If there’s some one you’d like to recognise send your ‘push up’ with the name of the person you are pushing up along with their service and we’ll feature them on our virtual push up board.

DANIELLE, WENDY AND STAFF AND SERVICE USERS AT BUILDING FUTURES HMP PRESTON...

AMIL, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE The murky world of finance often baffles me but Amil’s patience and forbearance always see’s me through A grateful Locality Manager.

Thank you for the time and effort you put in to preparing for the audit particularly creating the audit file. It was great to spend the day with you all and be welcomed into your community. TC TEAM, HMP WYMOTT...

CLARE EAKETS, LEICESTER...

For stepping up to the role of Neighbourhood Manager in Leicester with energy, tenacity and passion.

CRAID DE VOS, HMP PENTONVILLE...

He is outstanding and supports us all no matter what.

He has been a fantastic line manager also, giving good advice and direction at all times.

We would like to use this opportunity as a “push up” to all the people who worked so hard to provide an insight into life in the Therapeutic Community, the way it works and the benefits of challenging / praising other peers. (from Merseyside Probation who visited the TC)

SKELMERSDAKE BUILDING FUTURES COMMUNITY TEAM...

For their continual hard work and enthusiasm in creating a thriving and exciting service in West Lancashire. Thanks Guys :)

CHARLES UNDERWOOD, RECOVERY CAFE CENTRAL LANCS...

committed so much time and hard work in setting up and the smooth running of the recovery café. He is a real asset and goes above and beyond in everything he does and fully deserves this recognition.

BELIEVE IN BEING THE BEST

ALISON ROYAL, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT...

JAMIE BASHIR, LEICESTER RECOVERY PARTNERSHIP... for developing some really exciting and innovative joint working initiatives with the LGBT community in Leicester.

Alison went way beyond her role in supporting both volunteers and staff from Central Lancs completing their level 3 in TSM. She even made herself available at a weekend to support students and without this additional input many would not have completed their awards. Again, I feel MELANIE CAWLEY, WIRRAL RESIDENTIAL...

Steph has been a fantastic support to she fully deserves this recognition.

WENDY ROBERTSON, HMP PRESTON...

the service and the community as a whole. She has led on the organisation of our Big Lunch event and has developed some incredible links with the local community as part of this. She involves the community in a varied and innovative manner within the activities she has been involved with and demonstrates the Phoenix values in all aspects of her work.

For her support, guidance and willingness to share knowledge and experience in support of Building Futures at HMP Wymott.

Wendy has provided me with insight, assisted us with audit preparation and we have really valued just having her around.

LORRAINE HAFEZ, TC VOLUNTEER - HMP

GILLIAN HOUGHTON, HMP WYMOTT...

Gillian has always gone the extra mile and is reliable, hard-working and solution focussed. She takes her health and safety role very seriously and co-ordinates us all in maintaining a safe environment evidenced in our self-assessment for audit.

WYMOTT...

Lorraine is an asset to the team. Her organisation and administration skills have been of benefit to all and I often feel that Lorraine is unaware of the added value she is to our community.

PASSIONATE ABOUT RECOVERY

Phoenix Scotland Celebrates 21 Years In May Phoenix Futures Scotland celebrated 21 years of providing support for people with drug and alcohol problems across Scotland.

To mark the occasion, the team planned a big birthday spectacular bringing together staff and service users, commissioners and partners, and members of the community.

The celebrations also caught the attention of MSP for Glasgow Maryhill & Springburn, Patricia Ferguson. Ms Ferguson presented a motion to the Scottish Parliament calling for the parliament to join her in congratulating Phoenix Futures Scotland over the years.

Motion:

“That the Parliament congratulates Phoenix Futures Scotland on its 21st anniversary; understands that the organisation held a birthday banquet in celebration in May 2015; notes that it provides services to support individuals, families and communities in their recovery from drug and alcohol problems, including residential rehabilitation services, recovery and abstinence support and re-settlement support, to provide people with independent living skills and advice on sustaining tenancies; recognises the important role that the organisation has played in helping people turn their lives around in Scotland in the last 21 years; commends the staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the organisation, and wishes them and all service users the very best for the future.�

PASSIONATE ABOUT RECOVERY

Community Spirit in Hampshire In May, residents and staff from Hampshire Residential visited their neighbour, Karen, in the spirit of building stronger links with the community.

Karen has lived next door to Hampshire Residential Services for nearly twenty years. The service, situated in rural Hampshire is surrounded by lush green grass and rolling hills and is a short walk to the picturesque villages of Droxford and Wickham. Karen has been breeding award winning alpacas here for a number of years. After starting with a small number of them as pets, Karen now has a herd of over 60 animals.

Both Karen and Hampshire Residential are keen to strengthen bonds in the community and with this in mind Karen kindly offered to show a number of our community members around the grounds and introduce us to the animals. Karen’s enthusiasm and passion for the animals was clear, and after seeing their huge eyes, endearing faces and individual personalities, it was not hard to see why!

Karen introduces the residents to the alpacas

The group thoroughly enjoyed the day and were full of questions for Karen about the alpacas. We are all really looking forward to visiting again soon, particularly as there will be some new alpaca babies. We would like to extend our thanks to Karen and wish her luck with the new arrivals in the coming weeks.

This was a really positive experience, not only meeting the animals, but talking with our closest neighbour and building links with our local community. We all felt that a stronger link with the community would really benefit residents in recovery and we look forward to working together to establish and strengthen community spirit in the local area.

Hampshire residents on the farm

Alpacas at the Big Lunch The alpacas were such a hit with our residents we invited them to our Big Lunch event in June.

Find out more about The Big Lunch at Phoenix in the next few pages.

Did you know? Alpacas were domesticated by the Incas more than 6,000 years ago and raised for their exquisite fleece.

- Steph Gardiner, Hampshire Residential

PASSIONATE ABOUT RECOVERY

The Big Lunch at HMP Garth Discover Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services organised a Big Lunch event at HMP Garth on Friday 5th June. The aim of the event was to invite professionals from the local community in to the prison to share their stories, support, and of course their lunch, with our service users. We wanted to bridge the gap between prison and community, as prisoners can often feel isolated from their local communities, and the support that is on offer.

We had an amazing response to the event, with representatives from a diverse range of organisations attending. This included representatives from the local Police force, Cocaine Anonymous, Phoenix Futures’ Wirral Residential service, and Trust House Lancashire, a charity that support victims of rape and sexual violence. We also had representatives from a drama company who tour the country’s prisons with drama projects (No Place Productions), and Every Action Has Consequences campaign, which was set up in memory of the victim of a fatal alcohol-fuelled assault.

The event was held on the Therapeutic Community wing where visitors were welcomed by staff and TC residents.

Service users engaging with the Clinical service and Building Futures service were also invited onto the wing to join in the event. The morning started with an overview of Discover Services across Central Lancashire, presented by our senior management team. This was followed by a presentation from two of our senior TC residents, who presented a ‘Beginner’s Guide to the TC’. Although they reported to be extremely nervous about speaking in front of around 60 people, they did an excellent job, which highlighted how their confidence and communication skills have developed during their time in treatment.

Following this, all service users and staff were split into smaller groups, and our visitors for the day were asked to spend 10 minutes with each group to informally get to know each other and discuss their work. Our service users were attentive throughout and really enjoyed hearing from each of the visitors. Some discussions helped them to reflect on the consequences of their crime and addiction, whilst others offered reassurance that there is lots of support out there for people in recovery. In fact, it was difficult for many of our groups to keep their discussions to just 10 minutes!

Everyone was brought back together, and to finish off before lunch, one of our service users read out his life story and experience of treatment. His story touched on themes of community, support and common ground, which gave everyone chance to reflect on the aims of the event. Again, speaking so confidently in front of such a large group demonstrated huge progress and helped him to build his confidence further.

Finally it was time for lunch. Our service users set up a row of tables running down the length of the wing to encourage everyone to have lunch together. It was a great time for people to network and seek support from each other. Many of our service users approached the visitors to ask follow-up questions about their organisations.

We had fantastic feedback from the visitors who attended the event, and some have even suggested projects where we could work in partnership with them in the future to enhance the support offered to our service users.

The Big Lunch event was a massive success which achieved everything that we set out to achieve and more, and has had a profound impact on all who were involved.

- Steven Berry, HMP Garth

PASSIONATE ABOUT RECOVERY

The Big Lunch in Trafford Staff, service users and peer mentors all chipped in to put on the Big Lunch at our Trafford Recovery Services. In the lead up to the event peer mentors went around the local community posting leaflets and putting up posters to advertise the lunch.

On the day more than 40 people attended, a mix of service users, family, and members of the community.

Having such a vibrant crowd brought the place to life. The sound of laughter from children totally changed the atmosphere in the service. They all went to get their faces painted by our talented face painter, so we had a streak of tigers running round the service with balloons and plates of sandwiches.

We also had guests from local providers, including Intuitive Recovery, Lifeline, Aim, Stephenson’s Solicitors, Probation, Emerging Futures and the NHS. The Big Lunch at Trafford was an excellent opportunity to get to know our neighbours and other providers in the sector, and more importantly have an informal day where everyone could be more relaxed and get to know each other.

- Helen Brewin, Trafford Recovery Services

Adam and little tiger Jasmine

The Big Lunch in the Wirral On Sunday 7th June we held our Big Lunch event at Wirral Residential.

With over 150 people in attendance, guests enjoyed musical entertainment from a band, a bouncy castle (for the kids and big kids), and a lunch spread of barbecue and curry along with some healthy options.

We had a great mix of guests, including residents past and present, members of community projects, and professionals we work with on a regular basis. All enjoyed a pleasurable afternoon.

- Gareth Edwards, Wirral Residential Barbecue fun at the Wirral

PASSIONATE ABOUT RECOVERY

The Big Lunch at Sheffield Adult Residential On 5th June our 32 residents of the Sheffield Adult Residential Service helped plan a fantastic Big Lunch event for family, friends and the community.

To prepare for the event our service users worked together to get the house and grounds ready for our guests. The cleaning crew arranged to do additional jobs around the house, giving it a thorough spring clean. Maintenance put up some new bulletin boards and decorated to get all the displays in good shape.

Kitchens worked really hard to produce some amazing food. And the Senior House Manager arranged a litter pick, to make sure the grounds were looking their best.

It was a full community effort, and everyone took part in the lead up and on the day.

The Big Lunch lunch at Sheffield

On the day the weather was beautiful. We could not have asked for a better day. The sun shone for the whole event. We had guests from local agencies such as local community services, drug and alcohol agencies, voluntary agencies, Sheffield Hallam University, the local churches and the Phoenix Association – along with a few of our other neighbours.

It was a great opportunity for the residents and staff to invite members of the Sheffield community into the residential. It gave us all an opportunity to reflect on the uniqueness of this service, and invite people to be part of the amazing community of staff and residents we have in Storth Oaks at the minute.

The Big Lunch at Hampshire Residential

- Danielle Atherton, Sheffield Adult Residential

Hampshire Residential Service brought together residents, families and friends, and neighbours from the community for our Big Lunch on Sunday 7th June.

The day was filled with good food, games, and a visit from our furry neighbours the alpacas.

The day before the residents helped out at the village fete, where they had a stall, selling cakes, to fundraise for the voyage. Service user Zac describes how the Hampshire residents helped to clear up at the end of the fete and used this opportunity to invite their community to their Big Lunch, as a result lots of people turned up the next day.

Zac said “it was great having the opportunity to make people aware of what happens in a rehab and to see exresidents, and listen to their experience of Hampshire and how things are going for them now.�

Playing games at the Hampshire Big Lunch

PASSIONATE ABOUT RECOVERY

Recovery Street Film Festival 2015

Following a successful first year in 2014, the 2nd Recovery Street Film Festival launched in April with the theme ‘My Story’. With just under a month left to enter films here’s an overview of the festival and how you and your service users can get involved.

The Recovery Street Film Festival is a competition for people to tell their stories of recovery from substance dependence through film. A judging panel of film industry experts will select a shortlist of 3-minute films to feature at ‘pop-up’ street cinemas. These will appear at a planned series of Recovery Street Film Festival events around the country in September where the films will be shown to the public to challenge traditional views about overcoming addiction.

The competition is open to anyone, regardless of their skill in filmmaking. The group or individual making the winning film, chosen by the judges, will receive £1000 worth of film related prizes.

Phoenix Futures are organising the Festival in partnership with drug and alcohol treatment providers and charities including Turning Point, Action on Addiction, Angelus Foundation, CRI, Addaction, and Blenheim CDP. The competition will run from 5 May until 20 July with films shown 12-26 September 2015 around the UK. Qualifying films, including those not shortlisted by the judges for the festival, will also be available to watch and share on www.recoverystreetfilmfestival.co.uk Founder of the Amy Winehouse Foundation, Mitch Winehouse backed the competition in 2014:

“I am delighted to lend my support for this year’s Film Festival. Last year was an outstanding success and I am confident this year’s will also include some extremely inspirational stories. Film is probably the best medium to get those important messages across to the public about people overcoming the misuse of substances, including legal highs but particularly alcohol. We need to challenge those misconceptions about addiction and how people have pieced together their lives deserve respect like everyone else.”

PASSIONATE ABOUT RECOVERY

Outward Bounds with Sheffield Residential In May staff from our Sheffield Adult Residential service took 30 residents on a three-day camping trip to Edale in the Peak District. Over the three days the group took part in activities, came together for a barbecue, and hiked up Mam Tor. Resident Claire Vasiri gave her account of the trip: “Thoroughly enjoyed our camping trip, so much so I was able to go twice. The weather was a little cool, but a game of rounder’s before the BBQ and the laughter made it warm. The evening walk to the top of Man Tor was breath taking and I’d recommend it to everyone. Thanks Phoenix Futures.”

Conquering Mam Tor

Following the trip to Edale, in June three members of staff took all the residents of the Sheffield Adult Residential service to Hagg Farm, an outdoor residential activity centre. Over the three night / two day trip the group tackled activities including high ropes, abseiling and gauge walking.

Here’s what some of the residents thought of the trip: “A very well organised adventure weekend. A huge thank you to all the staff involved who worked really hard putting everything together, giving us plenty of activities to do. We did a lot of team building and had great fun throughout. After a well-deserved shower you could chill out and read or play one of the many games provided by staff and Hagg Farm.”

- Jane

High ropes at Hagg Farm

“The weekend at Hagg Farm was absolutely amazing. The accommodation and food was brilliant, as well as being surrounded by beautiful countryside. When I got back to the house I felt refreshed, relaxed. I also got to know my fellow peers a lot better.

- Phil

“Thank you for a great weekend, had by all, at Hagg Farm. We loved all the activities and many were forced to overcome our fears of heights when confronted with the abseiling and our fear of confined spaces when doing the caving the gorge walking. Jacobs ladder provided great opportunity for team building and just plain good fun. The accommodation was sound and the food was excellent. Thanks to all the staff for their hard work in organising the weekend. Bring on the next one!”

- Lyndsey

PASSIONATE ABOUT RECOVERY

Climbing High with Barnsley Staff and service users from Barnsley services took on a rock climbing challenge in June. It was a day of overcoming fears for service users and staff.

“The rock climbing, abseiling and hiking was challenging but after cheering each other on, I found it really lifted my spirits and everyone else’s. The day out made me feel really happy and good about myself, can’t wait for next time!” - Barnsley service user.

It was great to see how people changed throughout the day, there was high morale from the get go. Lots of and interesting conversations full of excited nervous energy on the bus ride over to Burbage North. During the event the participants put full trust and confidence in the equipment, the instructors and most of all each other giving support, encouragement and guidance throughout.

Each person took turns in belaying which requires great attention to detail for each other’s safety as they climbers life’s are literally in their hands.

Teamwork in action

I was challenged to attend and did so reluctantly as I have a significant and enduring fear of falling since an accident 25 years ago involving a ladder, a great height and several broken bones. The setting was breathtakingly beautiful however and immediately lifted my spirits. I actually went intent on finding an excuse not to climb but after watching others go out of their comfort zone and make heroic attempts at conquering the climb, I felt pathetic not to even try.

My climb was quite entertaining for the onlookers, but I hope my screaming hasn’t impaired the hearing of the local wildlife! Regardless, I did it and that was down to the people I was with who encouraged me all the way. I’d recommend a day out in this wide open beautiful space to anyone because whether you’d want to climb or just walk and take in the scenery – being out and active does wonders for your wellbeing. I’m so glad I went and I owe a big thank you to the organisers for being so persistent with me!

The climbing group

This activity was only possible through the kind and generous donation to Be Recovery as a thank you to the Barnsley treatment system and Teresa Hodgeson for her continued dedication for her role in supporting others.

The activity promotes healthy living, a natural buzz, confidence building, team working, fun, and a sense of achievement and certainly saw this on the day. When I was sitting talking to the participants they were saying things like, “I’ve faced my fears”, and “I’ve achieved something”. They definitely enjoyed it, they worked as a team and communicated well and also put trust in each other. Was a fab day all round!

- Adrian Moran, Barnsley Widening Horizons

PASSIONATE ABOUT RECOVERY

Taking the Reins in Barnsley May saw the launch of the second Reins to Recovery in Barnsley. Project lead Nicola Sedgwick talks to Network about how things are shaping up.

Last week the group met the horses for the first time and were asked to reflect upon their responses to each horse; which were they instantly pulled towards, which did they feel hesitant about and why that might be. As a result of this task the group have all been paired with a horse that they will work with for the course.

Working with the same horse throughout will both help the participants through the tasks and at the same time offer them some challenges along the way.

Getting aquainted with the horses

Based upon last year’s participant feedback, there have been some changes made to the way the course is to run this year. Last year, due to the number of participants, we split the sessions with the horses into two groups. The first group ran in the morning and the second in the afternoon, with the group coming together the following day for the reflection tasks. However the feedback was that a big part of the individual’s progress was the support and relationships made with other participants during the tasks and that they would have preferred to all be together.

Therefore, this year we have redesigned the structure so that all the group are together.

The group of eight participants have a range of experience within the group, from people who are currently too petrified to touch the horses, to those who have worked professionally within the industry in the past. The good thing about the course is that it doesn’t matter how much or how little experience you have with the horses, it’s about leaning about yourself within the tasks.

Again this year there are ten sessions all designed to look at specific difficulties and obstacles in recovery.

The group will be asked to complete tasks on the Building trust ground with horses. These tasks are specially designed to provoke emotion, thought and reflection. For example, in one of the tasks the group has to get a horse to move a certain way around the arena without speaking to each other, the horse, or touching the horse. Within this task they learn about non-verbal communication between themselves, the way they communicate individually, and the resulting reaction form the horse. The group will need to think quickly to change communication to get the desired response from the horse to complete the task. When the group get the right response from the horse the learning is instantly reinforced and cemented deeper in the learning process.

- Nicola Sedgwick, Barnsley Recovery Navigation Service

PASSIONATE ABOUT RECOVERY

Knit-A-Fish In May's issue of Network we told you about Knit-A-Fish for Phoenix, a crafty campaign to make underthe-sea creatures for the new sensory room at our National Specialist Family Service.

Since launching the campaign we’ve had a lot of interest and are already seeing some brilliant fishy creations.

Phoenix Futures Chief Executive Karen Biggs created her own crochet jellyfish family with fishy friends, which will be making their way to the babies at the crèche.

While Andrea McHugh connected with us via our Facebook page to send a snap of these little fellas.

There’s still plenty of time to get involved and make your own under-the-sea creation. And for the non-knitters out there we’ve added a few more ideas to our Knit-A-Fish inspiration board.

Find out more about Knit-A-Fish on our Do Something Brilliant page.

BELIEVE IN BEING THE BEST

Sharing Aspirations in Trafford In June Clare Makin, Service Manager for the Trafford Young People’s service, attended a We Aspire careers fair at one of the local primary schools to talk about her work in the drug and alcohol support sector.

We Aspire is a new initiative within Trafford aimed at bringing career-related learning to primary children. We Aspire organise careers fairs for primary schools to give children unique opportunities to learn about the world of work and careers by talking to parents and other invited guests who represent a wide range of jobs and sectors.

Those attending the careers fair were grouped into categories depending on their job roles from creators, doers and helpers, to organisers, persuaders and thinkers. Clare was in the helpers groups alongside a Doctor, two Police Constable Support Officer and a manager from the Security Team at Manchester Airport.

After the careers fair Clare said “It was worthwhile taking part in the event as not only have the children been able to hear about being a Drug and Alcohol Worker and Manager, they are now also aware that there is a Drug and Alcohol Service within their area that is able to support young people with Drug and Alcohol related issues.”

To say thank you Clare was presented with a certificate from We Aspire. More information about We Aspire can be found by following the link www.we-aspire.co.uk

Poetry at HMP Preston Discover Recovery Wing HMP Preston Provides a Journey to find our inner selves Stay clear of drugs and get back our health To concentrate on the times ahead To be focused and committed in our heads To battle our triggers on a day to day basis This unit we are on is drug free, but it isn’t an oasis We do meetings and work to address or behaviour on a regular occurrence We provide swabs or pee filled container to prove we are clean to Discover and peers even though we are thinking about drugs and beers But to stay clean, we fight our drug fuelled thinking along with the crime, the drugs and the drinking.

So we remain on this unit to stay positive and clean We ignore the negativity, so we can become serene Our family and loved one’s are our number one goal so we can avoid drinking and drugs and stand up tall.

Now it’s time to finish these few lines but there is just one more thing to bear in mind Weather we are released to a rehab or a hostel stay strong because remember “RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE” - Nathan, Service User - Discover Recovery Wing

BELIEVE IN BEING THE BEST

Celebrating Quality in Trafford On 9th March Phoenix Futures Trafford was recognised for completing the Trafford Quality Mark (TQM) at the Trafford Quality Mark Event. Along with other voluntary sector organisations, Phoenix Futures Trafford was congratulated on their hard work, determination, passion, and success in completing the TQM.

The TQM has been developed by Thrive Trafford working in partnership with BlueSCI, Trafford Council commissioners and procurement, and Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). The TQM process takes organisations through an assessment and tailored package of support based around nine different areas including business planning, governance, and managing people, and is used to show that organisations are of a ‘recognised’ standard.

At the event a representative from each successful organisation attended the event and talked about how valuable and important the TQM process has been for them and their organisation, and outlined the positive benefits it could bring to other organisations in Trafford thinking of taking part.

“I am really pleased that we have been awarded the Trafford Quality Mark. It shows to our young people, service users, their families and carers and other professionals within the Borough that Trafford have assessed us as delivering a safe, quality service within Trafford. It took some time to compile the evidence for the assessment folder but it was an enjoyable process, particularly the assessment interview as the assessor was very complimentary about Phoenix Futures and the evidence that I had been able to provide.”

- Clare Makin, Service Manager - Trafford Young People’s Service If you are interested in reading the completed TQM assessment and feedback document please contact Clare on clare.makin@phoneix-futures.org.uk

BELIEVE IN BEING THE BEST

Going Green Much has been made of greener cars in recent years. You don’t, however, have to buy an electric car to make transport more environmentally friendly. Simply changing the fuel efficiency of the car you use can have enormous beneficial impacts on the environment.

Two years ago, Phoenix purchased cars for four of our sites. At the time, a range of options were available. As part of our environmental strategy, however, a big factor in the decision making process was the energy efficiency of the cars. We bought four model 2013 Ford Fiesta Titanium X’s – cars which are renowned for their fuel efficiency.

To give an idea of just how much greener these cars are, you can take a look at the graph below, which compares the emissions of the cars we bought (green) to the average supermini (blue) and the average car (orange).

Even compared to superminis, which are well known to have better fuel efficiency, the fact that we purchased this model of car saved 6 tonnes of carbon, the equivalent of taking a car off the road.

Compared to the average car, buying these Fiestas has saved more than 12 tonnes of carbon, the equivalent of taking two and a half cars off the road. The car in the picture might not be coloured green, but it’s certainly better for the environment!

- Procurement and Facilities

BELIEVE IN BEING THE BEST

Taking Notice In May Phoenix’s Health and Wellbeing group launched the first Wing to Wellbeing, Take Notice. As part of the campaign the group asked us all to take notice of the everyday things we sometimes miss. Here are a couple of examples of how services have been getting involved.

Taking Notice of the Community in Barnsley Our staff work in the community for much of the day, spending time going to various different client home addresses to deliver floating support. The staff team wish to take notice of the local community and neighbourhoods.

We cover a large geographical area in Barnsley with very diverse environment, such as built up residential and commercial areas, as well as some very open leafy country settings. Barnsley also has much to be appreciated in terms of its history. Traditionally a Mining town it has some great architecture, much of which remains as it was. All staff are going to take notice of the area they are in and at the end of the day choose their favourite place they have visited on that day to share.

Taking in the views over the balcony

Our idea is that this take notice project will also link with the next agenda of ‘be active’. Having taken notice of their surroundings and communities, we will ask staff to park a street away from their destination (risk being considered) and walk that little bit further to increase their activity whilst at work.

Who knows we could find a beautiful secret part of Barnsley that is currently laid undiscovered!

Taking Notice of Journeys at HMP Pentonville The team at HMP Pentonville have been taking notice of their journeys into work. Senior Case Worker Graig De Vos asked the team to take notice of their surroundings and bring in any curious, strange or funny observations from their journey. Once the stories were collected in, Craig led an icebreaker exercise, reading out the stories, along with some made-up ones, and asking to team to guess whether the stories were true or false by standing at one end of the room or the other.

The team have also started the ‘Good Deeds’ initiative, which falls under the ‘Giving’ wing in the Wings of Wellbeing plan. Members of the team send in their good deeds to the Health and Wellbeing reps; these are then read out in the team meeting. Whoever did the good deed got a chocolate. The Good Deeds initiative is going to continue throughout the Health and Wellbeing campaign.