Alcohol Services

There is no charge for our services, and for the majority there is no wait either.

Every service mentioned below operates within our core values, which means that people are offered a safe, confidential, non-judgemental place to talk and to be heard.

Advice and Information/initial assessment

Starting at the most simple level, Independence Trust makes itself available to provide information and advice.  That might be a short telephone conversation, an email exchange or a short face to face session.

Our offices are “open access” which means that anyone wanting to see us in person doesn’t don’t need an appointment, they can just walk in and will be seen quickly.  Our open access services operate in all of our drug and alcohol bases other than the CIS Structured Day Programme.  The Contact Us page gives addresses and opening times.

There is no complicated process to getting more at Independence Trust.  Following a short conversation the visitor and our member of staff can identify together any further support that might be helpful.

This can include:

•    Assessment and referral

A referral for a medical intervention (such as the NHS specialist service CSSMS) can be carried out, and we can also make a referral to our Day Programme, or to rehab (or indeed other services such as housing, education etc).  

Essentially, as Independence Trust is the first step for many people wanting help for a drug or alcohol problem, coming to us first is the right step, and we will help assess the next step and arrange referral.

•    One to One talk therapy

After an initial assessment, and possibly alongside any referrals to other services, we offer ongoing appointments to help and support the person reach their goals.

•    Complementary Therapies

We offer complementary therapies to help people relax and handle cravings and feelings of stress.

Day Programme

Our rehabilitation day programme, called CIS (Community Integration Service) is designed for people who need more substantial support than is mentioned in any of the information above.  It includes both one to one and group work.  Everyone’s programme is individually tailored to suit their needs.  A variety of ‘modules’ are available including:

• Relapse Prevention
• Key working sessions and action planning
• Life skills
• IT
• Literacy & Numeracy
• Cooking
• Recreation
• Welfare

Primary Care Alcohol Project

As 98% of people have a GP, surgeries serve as excellent venues in which to deliver alcohol services.

Our aim is to (much as it is within our bases):

• Help people who drink harmful and hazardous amounts of alcohol.

• Screen for problems associated with drinking.

• Reduce health risks.

• Make support easier to access and more convenient.

• Provide a range of services and help people to help themselves.

Health professionals wishing to refer to the Primary Care Alcohol Team should contact 01452 553323.  The flyer for the project, along with more referral details, can be found by clicking here.

Emergency Departments

Independence Trust has been working in emergency departments at Gloucester Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals since 2007.

Our aim is to:

• Help those in hospital because of drinking to access treatment and support

• Reduce hospital admissions caused by drinking

• Reduce the health, social, psychological and legal problems caused by drinking.

Floating Support

This community based service helps individuals to maintain their independence. The aim is to support people to:

• Have more choices.

• Feel more secure.

• Live independently.

• Have a better social life.

Alcohol Arrest Referral Scheme (AARS)

The AARS has been running since 1999 and is a partnership between Gloucestershire Constabulary and Independence Trust.

Upon arrest, offenders are screened to gauge if alcohol has been a factor in their offence.  If alcohol has been identified as an issue, the client is referred under the AARS.

The sessions provided by the project include:

• Information about alcohol.

• Review of current drinking.

• Ways of avoiding future high-risk situations.

• Links between alcohol and crime.

• Review of education, employment and housing needs and where appropriate provide information about relevant organisations.

• Referral to other organisations – this can include treatment.

Custody Staff can contact 01452 521444 for more information about the Scheme or to facilitate a referral.

Helping people find work

We help people identify volunteering opportunities, benefit from training and education, and achieve employment.  They can get:

• Help in identifying and overcoming barriers into employment

• C.V. writing

• Disclosure of criminal convictions advice

• Job searching advice and facilities

• Interview techniques
  

There are also individual keyworking sessions and groups, sometimes with guest speakers. Specialist advice and guidance is available to help people explore their options and prepare the best route to employment.  To find out more contact 01452 553450.