An NHS and charity consortium took over as the provider of drug and alcohol services in Doncaster on Friday 1 April.
Aspire Drug and Alcohol Services is a partnership organisation set up by existing provider Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) and registered charity The Alcohol & Drug Service (ADS). Between them they have been delivering safe, effective interventions for alcohol addiction and drug addiction in Yorkshire, Humberside and Lincolnshire for over 30 years and have helped thousands of local people on the road to recovery.
Aspire will deliver the service from April 2016 until the end of March 2020, with an option to extend for a further two full years, after been awarded the contract in September 2015 by Doncaster Council’s Public Health team, following a tender process.
The service will cover all aspects of drug and alcohol interventions including 24/7 care and support, needle exchange, prescribing, structured day care, recovery and aftercare support, as well as specialist inpatient detoxification and access to residential rehabilitation.
RDaSH Chief Executive Kathryn Singh said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract with ADS.
“They are a longstanding valued partner of over 13 years and our Aspire partnership model uniquely brings the best of the NHS and charitable sectors together in supporting people with drug and alcohol problems to beat their addictions, and go on to successfully lead fulfilling, independent lives within their communities.”
ADS Chief Executive Tim Young said: “We believe community reintegration is key to sustainable recovery and pride ourselves on being innovative and forward thinking.
“There is a thriving recovery community in Doncaster and we look forward to providing flexible, responsive services, which offer all service users and their families the best possible recovery outcomes.”
In advance of the launch, staff from the service held a successful consultation event at Doncaster Museum, for people who use Doncaster’s Drug and Alcohol Services, to share information on how the service plans to continue to support people with drug and alcohol problems – and their families – to beat their addictions, and go on to successfully lead fulfilling, independent lives within their communities.
Aspire Service Manager Stuart Green said: “Doncaster has some of the best drug and alcohol services in the country.
“This event was an opportunity for people to meet our team, hear about our exciting plans for the future and find out how our new service model will work to support people in the community and empower them to take recovery into their lives and communities. “
To support the delivery of the service, there is a new website: www.aspire.community, which provides information on the Aspire recovery approach, the services available locally, as well as news and events.
To talk to someone in confidence about drug or alcohol issues, please ring (01302) 730956, or visit www.aspire.community