affinity magazine december issue

1 | Affinity Magazine • Issue 003 - December 2012

Affinity Team

Introducon

“Launched in October this Newsleer is produced for free by volunteers from the Lancashire Recovery Communityand distributed for free to anyone who wants it. The Newsleer focuses on celebrang recovery and making visible what supports the ‘5 ways to wellbeing’ in Lancashire; It connects people, it adverses acvies, it encourages reflecon, supports people in taking noce of the good stuff around them, encourages learning and provides opportunies for people to give within their communies. It contains arcles, stories, cartoons, volunteering opportunies and informaon on support groups; all of which aims to reflect the growing Recovery Community in Lancashire.Lancashire. Hosted on the UK Recovery Federaon website, the Affinity Newsleer is available to everyone to download for free. It’s early days but by producing the newsleer in this way it’s been demonstrated that when people with passion come together and map their assets (a process that started at a Lancaster UKRF Recovery Seminar in November last year) it can be surprising (to some) just how much they can do for themselves without funding and without services involvement. If people want a print copy of the Affinity Newsleer they can print it off themselves. If services want to distribute it then the cost is theirs. Through doing it this way the Affinity Group has maintained its independence. distribute it then the cost is theirs. Through doing it this way the Affinity Group has maintained its independence. It’s a way of working that can be reproduced anywhere by anyone who has the will to do it. The Affinity Newsleer has the potenal to be a voice that connects and celebrates the Recovery Community in Lancashire. It can help to make recovery visible and it could support the growth of stronger networks based on an 'affinity'; a commitment to promote the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ for all & a desire to support recovery in its widest sense within communies.

Whilst there have been small Recovery Communies in Lancashire for quite a while (the Fellowship & friends from rehabs supporng each other) they’ve oen been invisible to those who didn’t know where to look and the various rehabs supporng each other) they’ve oen been invisible to those who didn’t know where to look and the various recovery pockets were disparate and unconnected. The last year or so has seen this change dramacally. Communies of Recovery have started to come out into the light and, as they’ve done so, they’ve begun to arculate a message of solidarity, hope and opmism. In becoming visible new connecons and friendships have been made and sgma challenged in very real and concrete ways. The Well has just begun & it’ll be a while before we see an Affinity Network in Lancashire. But it’s a good start and there a plenty of people in Lancashire who are commied (as we say in the UKRF) to making the path as we walk it.” (as we say in the UKRF) to making the path as we walk it.”

Wrien by James and Alistair from the UKRF

This is what the arcle said about the Affinity magazine:

In the latest Drink and Drug News (a free naonal magazine for the substance misuse field) there was an arcle that celebrated some of the great things that are going on in North Lancashire. This Affinity magazine was one of them.Somemes we all need a pat on the back. This is ours. Thanks to all the team and contributors who connue to produce such an excellent magazine.

Affinity goes naonal

NEWSGIVEKEEP LEARNINGTAKE NOTICEBE ACTIVECONNECT


Connued on next page...

“There’s lots of community-led recovery becoming more and more visible within Lancashire these days. For many recovery acvists here it feels like new, diverse and creave communies of recovery are growing, becoming more confident, making new links and becoming stronger. The Lancashire User Forum has launched its Recovery Barge (the LUF Boat), the Red Rose Recovery Choir is finding its voice, Recovery Radio has taken to the airwaves and at the beginning of November over two hundred people turned out on a rainy Saturday aernoon to support the launch of ‘The Well’.

Every Saturday aernoon since then has seen the ‘Dallas Road Boy’s and Girl’s Club’ in Lancaster transform into Every Saturday aernoon since then has seen the ‘Dallas Road Boy’s and Girl’s Club’ in Lancaster transform into a Social Club, run by and for people in recovery, which, as one of the launch parcipants put it, “brings people together to share stories, support each other and build recovery”. Described by Dave Higham, a local recovery acvist who worked relessly with a few others to pull the Social Club together, as “a source of strength, a place where people can come to power up”, The Well is a place where people in recovery, family and friends can come together to play some sport and games, paint faces, drink tea, chat, make new friends and have fun; a safe place in the community where people can connect and build on their strengths.a safe place in the community where people can connect and build on their strengths.

Not just a social centre; The Well is also the base for a 'Warrior Down' support network which will offer peer support in the community to people who are struggling; “creang a community that supports itself, capturing those people that are not in services, being inclusive, doing it for ourselves and making sure people don’t fall through the net” (Dave Higham). It intends to be self-sufficient and independent reflecng a desire to develop community recovery and, judging by the diversity in the room at the launch (local social enterprises, faith groups, Fellowship members, polical acvists, the UKRF, the Mayor) it’s on the way. Here’s that people had to groups, Fellowship members, polical acvists, the UKRF, the Mayor) it’s on the way. Here’s that people had to say at the launch:

“The Well makes recovery visible in the community, it’s about building a space where people in recovery can come together and grow their recovery through the building of friendships” (Lesley)

“It’s about community supporng community recovery” (Keith).

“We want to empower people to support their own recovery. What’s unique is we’re bringing family members and people in recovery together to build new relaonships because its relaonships that sustain recovery” (Dave Higham).(Dave Higham).

The Launch of ‘The Well’ Recovery Social Centre. November 2012The following arcle appeared in the most recent issue of Drink and Drug news :

NEWSGIVEKEEP LEARNINGTAKE NOTICEBE ACTIVECONNECT


To take part, all you need to do is submit your pictures with a small capon to the Affinity Magazine’s Facebook page or email them to: [email protected]. All entries must be submied by 11th January 2013.

We can only accept digital images and all submissions will be subjected to ve ng. By subming your photograph for entry

into the compe on you will retain your copyright and also hereby grant to us royalty free, non assignable, worldwide,

non exclusive license to use the photograph for publicaons.

The theme for this months issue is: “Out with the old... in with the new...” There is no right or wrong way to interpret this. We just felt it was a nice one to start with as the New Year is on it’s way.

This December’s issue brings along Affinity’s first photography compe on! Each month we will now be hosng a photography spot to be inspired, create, have fun and share your favourite snaps. All the pictures will be up for everyone to see and enjoy on the Facebook page and the best 5 images will be printed in our January Edion.

Photography Compe on

“Projects like these are the future, the future is about communies coming together to sort things out for themselves” (Hayden Duncan NTA).

“We need beacons of recovery, associaons like this that put people before funcon. There’re not many places like this that can get 200 people out on a Saturday aernoon. If we’re to avoid recovery being instuonalised, people becoming ‘products’, we need to build on kinship, the common purpose between people, our assets, we need to give back and help people change things. Long term recovery will always be community driven” (Stu Honor).”(Stu Honor).”

Wrien by James and Alistair from the UKRF

Connued... The Launch of ‘The Well’ Recovery Social Centre. November 2012

EVENTS

LGBT Out In The Bay Meeting» At: Morecambe Library, Morecambe.Contact details: [email protected] Tel: 07449311406www. outinthebay.co.uk

27th Thursday 6-8pm

Lancashire User Forum» At: Chorley Town Hall, town centre, PR7 1DP.Celebrating the Central launch. Get it in your diaries guys! Please contact Alison at Red Rose Recovery Hyndburn & Ribble Valley CVS 01254 879966.

20th Thursday 10.30am - 3pm

LGBT Out In The Bay Meeting» At: Lancaster Library, Market Square, Lancaster.Contact details: [email protected] Tel: 07449311406www. outinthebay.co.uk

20th Thursday 7-9pm

The Real Deal» At: Lancaster Library, Market Square, Lancaster.Band Night. Bringing together community and diversities with musicto suit all tastes. A free family friendly alcohol and drug free night. For tickets on enquiries, please contact: [email protected] or telephone 07824442438.

16th Sunday 5-11pm December

GIVEKEEP LEARNINGTAKE NOTICEBE ACTIVECONNECT


EVENTS

LGBT Out In The Bay Meeting» At: Lancaster Library, Market Square, Lancaster.Contact details: [email protected] Tel: 07449311406www. outinthebay.co.uk

17th Thursday 7-9pm

Celebrate Recovery start daytime groups » At: Lancaster FM Church on Queen Street, Lancaster.The purpose of the Celebrate Recovery meeting is to provide a safe place every week where people can support each other as they work through 12 Steps to recovery.

A typical Celebrate Recovery meeting begins with a large group meeting where the particular lesson on one of the steps being dealt meeting where the particular lesson on one of the steps being dealt with is taught. The rest of the time is spent in small groups which are gender specic, peer led support groups.

Meetings are held on Tuesday mornings from 9:30am, and Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm. We have refreshments on arrival, ready to start promptly at either 10:00am or 8:00pm.

Although the 12 Steps are studied from Step 1 you can join the programme at any point along the way.programme at any point along the way.

8th TuesdayJanuary



EVENTS

Every Saturday 1-4pmThe Well - Social Club» At: Lancaster Boys & Girls Club, Dallas Road, Lancaster.Come down to The Well this week. Welcoming, friendly and plenty to do for all the family.For more information contactFor more information contactDave Higham on 07776097964or email [email protected]

Red Rose Recovery Radio - Join in with the fun, mischief, recovery community updates and listen to some well loved tunes every Friday- without fail! If you would like to get involved with the production or contribute in any way, contact: or contribute in any way, contact: [email protected]

Every Friday 1-4pm

Weekly

UKRF conference ‘Health, wellbeing and us'» At: The Gujerat Centre, Preston.Workshops: • Asset-based Recovery • Social Enterprise •12 Step Facilitation • Making Recovery Visible • Families & Recovery •Recovery-orientated Standards • Coproduction in action •Community Organising & more...Contact [email protected] for details & bookingsContact [email protected] for details & bookings

29th Saturday 9:30am - 5pm

LGBT Out In The Bay Meeting» At: Morecambe Library, Morecambe.Contact details: [email protected] Tel: 07449311406www. outinthebay.co.uk

31st Thursday 6-8pm

January



NetballWritten by Claire Richardson



Photograph by Kerry Stewart

When Dave Higham asked me to be on the team for The Well, I felt it was great as I love giving back to the community and I also felt honoured. On my first meeng I asked if I could start a netball team and get the women in recovery bonding. I remember playing netball at school and I loved it, so it brought back some great memories, memories I lost when I was in acve addicon. Netball helps me as it’s a team building game, where everyone is on the same level and it is a non-judgemental environment.

Playing netball helps in physical and mental health, as it embraces a lot of fun and laughter and gives you a sense of belonging. It builds relaonships with the women in recovery and we welcome children to join in. It helps with of belonging. It builds relaonships with the women in recovery and we welcome children to join in. It helps with communicaon skills and builds on confidence, which helps on your emoonal wellbeing. Ge ng involved brings back loads of happy memories and teaches you to enjoy life without substances. The other week we played the East Lancs team. There was a lot of banter going on between the teams on the week running up to it on The Well Facebook page. Of course, The Well team won 5/11 but on a posive note the women come back on a weekly basis. We are arranging to get into a league very soon, so if you would like to join in at The Well – come on down!

WhereWhere: Dallas Road, LancasterWhen: 1pm ll 4pm every SaturdayWhat else is on: There’s pool, table tennis, snooker, football, cafe with affordable prices, free tea/coffee, games room, band room with drum kit/guitars/keyboards.Cost: …all this for £2.50 and kids are free with a paying adult

Robert MeeInterviewed by James Attwood

in RecoveryRemarkable People



When you hear Robs journey you understand why he so passionately wants to ensure that everybody is safe, and that vulnerable people are protected and supported. He talks of living a secret life, of being given days to live, of simply not caring about the future. He also menons certain drug workers who went the extra mile, of opportunies he was given and how he (and others) recognised his strengths and potenal.

community. This is oen replicated in the ‘recovery community’. Rob has set about, with real determinaon, to build LGBT support within the Lancaster area. He has set up support groups, secured funding, argued the case with services and sought to be a voice that speaks up for those within the LGBT community who have drug issues.

And Rob hasn’t stop moving. He wants to make the world beer for those in the LGBT community who become vulnerable, who take risks and who are oen living secret and damaging lives. Treatment is set up for heterosexual men despite all the evidence about prevalence in the LGBT

And Rob hasn’t stop moving. He wants to make the world beer for those in the LGBT community who become vulnerable, who take risks and who are oen living secret and damaging lives. Treatment is set up for heterosexual men despite all the evidence about prevalence in the LGBT community. This is oen replicated in the ‘recovery community’. Rob has set about, with real ‘recovery community’. Rob has set about, with real determinaon, to build LGBT support within the Lancaster area. He has set up support groups, secured funding, argued the case with services and sought to be a voice that speaks up for those within the LGBT community who have drug issues.

Connued on pg 9...

hen you meet Rob, as I am sure most of you will (if you haven’t already) what may strike you first is his cheery demeanour and relaxed way with people. Talk for a couple of minutes though and what is evident is a man who is determined to do whatever he can to ensure that others do not have to experience the things that he did. Although he can recall good mes and ‘living everyday like it was Friday’, he also remembers the ‘hard memories’ and they are the spur he uses to drive himself forward. He is not going to rest up now he is in recovery, as he puts it: “rehab may build the bike but it’s you that’s got to keep riding it”.

W

in RecoveryRemarkable People


Continued...


Cartoon Spot

When you hear Robs journey you understand why he so passionately wants to ensure that everybody is safe, and that vulnerable people are protected and supported. He talks of living a secret life, of being given days to live, of simply not caring about the future. He also menons certain drug workers who went the extra mile, of opportunies he was given and how he (and others) recognised his strengths and potenal.

Today Rob is respected by many within the local community. It’s not just because he is in recovery. It’s not really just for the hard work he does. In many ways he is respected because he respects himself and others. He is open and honest. He will speak out when he witnesses discriminaon and hatred. He will speak out even He is open and honest. He will speak out when he witnesses discriminaon and hatred. He will speak out even when that may be uncomfortable for people to hear. I have no doubt that services need to hear his message but I think it is also essenal that the ‘recovery community’ hears it too. I for one want to make sure that Rob’s voice is not one that we hear raised against our recovery community. Recovery is hard work and we should never make that journey harder for people.

Contact Details for LGBT Out in the Bay

Email: [email protected] Facebook: LGBT Out in the Bay Website: www: ounthebay.co.uk Twier: LGBTOunthebayTelephone: 07449311406

Events• Out in the Bay LGBT people in Recovery Coffee Aernoon – Every Friday 2-4. Groundfloor, St Leonards House, St Leonardsgate, Lancaster LA1 1NN•• 3rd Thursday every month LGBT Out in the Bay meeng at Lancaster Library from 7 ll 9• Last Thursday of the month LGBT Out in the Bay meeng at Morecambe Library from 6 ll 8

Written by Lexi West


ToolboxChristmas Survival


Stay connectedStay connected with the recovery community and your support network instead of isolang. It’s important to be able to talk to people about your struggles, even if they seem silly, as you’ll probably find they’re experiencing the same things!they’re experiencing the same things!

Christmas Work Doo’sWith Christmas Work Doo‘s happening or the… “Let’s go to the pub aer work” comment, it can be hard to say no to people. If you don’t feel up to going to a work do, have an answer ready in your head before they ask. It might feel hard saying no, but it’ll be a lot harder sing in a pub surrounded by temptaon. If you are going, take a friend or surrounded by temptaon. If you are going, take a friend or plan to only stay for the meal, before people start ge ng really drunk.

Tunnel VisionWith drinking culture increasing, it can be hard not to focus on what everyone else is doing around us. This may make you feel that you either want to join in or escape it all and ulmately take the same old paths of using or drinking. Try and step out of the box using or drinking. Try and step out of the box and look at the recovery community around you and how far you have come in your journey. Recovery is strong and having posive people around you who aren’t using or drinking will help you noce that it isn’t ‘everyone’ using/drinking and that you definitely aren’t missing out! definitely aren’t missing out!

Connued on pg 11...

Ready for Christmas?

Where are you on the rollercoaster between the joy and dread of Christmas? With the event quickly approaching it can be a very tricky me for people who aren’t in recovery. So for those who are… it’s me to get suited, booted and armed ready to survive and enjoy the fesve season! Here are my top ps that helped me get through my last few Christmas’s.

ToolboxChristmas Survival



...Connued

The big day - Have a plan!I’ve always found it a good idea to have a plan for the day. It’s impossible to think up all of the situaons and risks that you may encounter, but it’s good to have tools in place. If you’re away from home, find out what NA/AA/ SMART groups are on in that area. Being away from your support network doesn’t mean that you can’t get support.

If you end up being around drunk relaves, this can be quite stressful. Having a bit of me out away from the situaon and going for a walk or having an escape plan to visit someone else on that day can be helpful.

If you’re spending Christmas alone, find out from your support groups who else is in the same boat. You could arrange a meal together or look at volunteering, for example helping out at the Homeless Shelter or local churches.

Keep busyRoune can get a bit lost at this me of year, with some support services and groups being cancelled as the staff are on holiday. Make plans to meet up with your friends for a coffee or plan to go out for a walk. Fill your me well, to avoid sing around dwelling!dwelling!

So to sum it up… stay plugged into your recovery community, plan for the holidays, fill your me, have posive people around you and don’t forget how far you’ve come and what you have achieved on your recovery journey so far! Make your recovery important and have a good Christmas!

Have a few phone numbers of people you know you can call if you are struggling or needing to hear a friendly voice. If you know that you might be put off calling someone on Christmas Day because they‘re with family, you could ask them before if it’s ok? We all make excuses and shouldn’t put any more barriers up!

Keep things simple!Don’t over book your me in an effort to meet expectaons of other people or even unrealisc expectaons of yourself. You have to make yourself the most important person in your recovery and make sure you have me for yourself, even at Christmas. So, before agreeing to do something, Christmas. So, before agreeing to do something, don’t feel guilty for saying “no” to something that isn’t good for you.

VOLUNTEERINGGIVEKEEP LEARNINGTAKE NOTICEBE ACTIVECONNECT

12 Affinity Magazine • Issue 003 - December 2012

For a full list of volunteer opportunies visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/volunteer or contact [email protected] or www.facebook.com/ilovevolunteering

Wyre Volunteer Bureau - 01253 774125 or email [email protected] opportunies in Wyre can be viewed on www.do-it.org.uk

Vicm Support Community Volunteers - We are looking for volunteers to provide confidenal emoonal support and praccal help to vicms of crime and other people affected. Details about our opportunity along with applicaon forms can be found here: hp://www.vicmsupport.org.uk/Home/Get-involved/VolunteeringAlternavely, contact us on [email protected] or 01772 201142.

Vicm Support Community Volunteers - We are looking for volunteers to provide confidenal emoonal support and praccal help to vicms of crime and other people affected. Details about our opportunity along with applicaon forms can be found here: hp://www.vicmsupport.org.uk/Home/Get-involved/VolunteeringAlternavely, contact us on [email protected] or 01772 201142.

LESS: Promong sustainable living - For informaon on any projects, volunteering opportunies or general maers of sustainability please contact [email protected] or visit www.lessuk.org or tel: 01524 66100.

Leonard Cheshire - is looking for volunteers to link up with individuals with disabilies and to spend mewith them on a regular basis either in their own home or out in the community. For more informaon, contact: Natalie Searle, Volunteer Co-ordinator [email protected] or Joe Cobb, Sociability Co-ordinator ([email protected]).

Leonard Cheshire - is looking for volunteers to link up with individuals with disabilies and to spend mewith them on a regular basis either in their own home or out in the community. For more informaon, contact: Natalie Searle, Volunteer Co-ordinator [email protected] or Joe Cobb, Sociability Co-ordinator ([email protected]).

Lancaster & District Conservaon Volunteers - For further informaon telephone David & Liz Alexander (Project Organisers) 01524 412938 (evenings 7-9 pm).

Homeless Acon - Edward Street, Lancaster. Tel: 01524 842008.Homeless Acon - Edward Street, Lancaster. Tel: 01524 842008.

Furniture Maers - Thornton Rd, Morecambe. Tel; 01524 427300 Recycles furniture, electrical appliances + bicycles for people on a low income. Need volunteers for driving, deliveries, admin + cleaning.

First responders - First responders are people who live in rural areas trained to give provide immediate and possibly life saving help in a medical emergency unl paramedics can get there and take over. Call 07843585102.

First responders - First responders are people who live in rural areas trained to give provide immediate and possibly life saving help in a medical emergency unl paramedics can get there and take over. Call 07843585102.

Cizens' Advice Bureau - [email protected]

Animal Care - If you'd like to volunteer to help in the sanctuary or the Morecambe charity shop, tel: 01524 65495 (11am-3pm) or email: [email protected]

Below are a few places that are looking for volunteers. If you are interested please contact them directly. If you know of any other voluntary or work opportunies then please let us know and we can print them.

SUPPORTGIVEKEEP LEARNINGTAKE NOTICEBE ACTIVECONNECT

13 Affinity Magazine • Issue 003 - December 2012

If people know of any other support out there in our community please let us know the details.

AA – Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Step support groupNA – Narcocs Anonymous 12 step support groupSMART – Recovery Support group Celebrate Recovery – 12 step programme for all hurtsLGBT - We run a coffee aernoon every Friday Everyone iswelcome. Its a safe, friendly, non-judgemental environment. We offer one to one support for lgbt people outside of this groupWe offer one to one support for lgbt people outside of this groupand we offer volunteering opportunies to anyone. For more info call Tracie on 07449311406

At: St. Marys Church Hall, Mahias St, Morecambe8pmAA -

At: Bapst Church, Nelson St, Lancaster8pm AA -Sunday:

At: St. Chads Church Hall, Torrisholme Rd, Lancaster7pm AA -Saturday:

LGBT Coffee Aernoon - Ground Floor, St Leonardsgate House, St Leonardsgate, Lancaster, LA1 1NN

At: Homeless Centre, Edward St, Lancaster6.30pmSMART Friday:

At: St Peters Cathedral Social Centre, Lancaster8pm AA - Thursday:

At: Friends Meeng House, Meeng House Lane, Lancaster8pmAA - Wednesday:

Celebrate Recovery - 7.30/8 At: Lancaster Free Methodist Church, Queen Street, Lancaster

7.30pm At: Friends Meeng House, Meeng House Lane, LancasterNA - At: Methodist Church, The Mount, Fleetwood 7.30pm AA - Tuesday:

At: West View Community Centre, 2 Eden Avenue, Fleetwood6:30pmSMARTAt: Friends Meeng House, Meeng House Lane, Lancaster8pm AA - Monday:

North Lancashire Weekly support meengs:

affinity magazine december issue

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