Support volunteers needed

Drug and alcohol services are appealing for volunteers, including those with personal experience, to come forward to bolster ongoing efforts to support those with the same challenges.

The Forth Valley Recovery Service has been operating for a year in the area, including through the pandemic, and is currently supporting around 900 people at any one time across Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling.

Service provision includes access to substitute prescribing, harm reduction services, one-to-one support, CBT therapy and community rehabilitation.

Recent new funding from Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership and Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership is being invested in more harm reduction staff who will work across urban and rural areas to proactively reach out to the most vulnerable people in local communities.

The Recovery service is also appealing for volunteers to help expand and enrich the support it provides.

A spokesperson said: “Applications are particularly welcomed from people with personal experience of living with the challenges of drugs and alcohol in their lives. These are roles for people who wish to get involved in improving the health and wellbeing of their local community.”

The service is funded by Forth Valley Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and works with NHS teams, social workers, family support services and recovery projects to help those affected by drug and alcohol use make positive changes.