Doncaster service shares best practice

Staff and volunteers from Doncaster’s drug and alcohol service have been showcasing what they do to other services from across the region at an event in Balby.

Aspire peer mentors pictured at the event
Aspire peer mentors pictured at the event

Aspire Drug and Alcohol Service held the ‘Best Practice Event’ at its New Beginnings specialist detoxification and day programme facility on Marshall Avenue as an information sharing and networking opportunity for volunteer peer mentors from Barnsley, Sheffield, Grimsby and Hull.

Lydia Rice, Aspire Volunteer/Peer Mentor Coordinator, who organised the event said: “Peer mentors have lived experience of recovery from drug or alcohol addiction – and play a vital role in supporting others.

“The aim of this event was to build a recovery network across our communities to share what works, what doesn’t, and ensure peer mentors who give up their own free time to volunteer, continue to recover and flourish beyond formal services to build happy, fulfilling lives.”

Staff from Aspire also took the visitors on a tour of New Beginnings, which underwent a £35,000 refurbishment last year to provide a fully functional detoxification inpatient unit, staffed 24/7 by specialist nursing staff along with an integrated structured day programme. The unit provides care for people across the borough, as well as offering a limited number of inpatient detox beds to people outside of Doncaster.

Anyone who would like a confidential chat about drug or alcohol issues, or more information about Aspire’s services please ring (01302) 730956, or visit Aspire’s live chat at www.aspire.community

Aspire Volunteer/Peer Mentor Coordinator Lydia Rice (fourth from left) is pictured with peer mentors and visitors to the event at New Beginnings.
Aspire Volunteer/Peer Mentor Coordinator Lydia Rice (fourth from left) is pictured with peer mentors and visitors to the event at New Beginnings.