My path towards social work was shaped by personal experiences during my formative years , which fuelled a deep desire to make a positive impact . I wanted to help people find safety and amplify the voices of those who had previously gone unheard . It was during this time that I discovered my passion for social work .

Over the past decade , I ’ ve had the privilege of using my social work skills , knowledge , and life experience to empower individuals in their journey towards addiction recovery and to lead independent , healthy lives . Unfortunately , I ’ ve also witnessed first-hand the judgement and stigma faced by those seeking support , not only from local communities but also from other professional spheres . In a reality marked by ageing populations and increasingly complex needs , I feel it ’ s imperative that we continue to bridge knowledge gaps and forge new partnerships .

By continuing to place focus on trauma-informed principles at the core of our work , we can instil confidence through education and celebrate the development of meaningful support systems tailored to the unique needs of individuals struggling with their substance use .

As a senior social worker at Change Grow Live – within a large integrated service supporting individuals over the age of 18 with substance misuse problems – it ’ s my personal mission to reshape perceptions , advocate for change , and professionalise the drug and alcohol sector . The integration and recognition of social work on a national level has granted us the autonomy to build our local team in Hull , ensuring that the population we serve receives the necessary support .

I ’ m immensely proud of the progress we ’ ve made at Change Grow Live Hull , where we ’ ve harnessed the influence of meaningful partnerships to break down cultural barriers , drive innovation and deliver projects within an integrated care system .

At present , our team is comprised of two social work leads based in our Adult Social Care ( See and Solve ) division and our local hospital discharge teams . These roles have been immeasurable in terms of the value they have brought to our service users . By placing individuals at the forefront of their own care and leveraging legal literacy and evidencebased practices , we ensure that people receive the support they deserve , resulting in lasting and sustainable impact . These roles have been pivotal in enhancing the professional confidence and knowledge of our partnering agencies when it comes to addressing the needs of individuals with substance misuse related issues .

Helen holds one of these two roles and received this feedback from the team manager : ‘ Helen provides a holistic role and has been immensely positive to the front door of adult social care . Helen ’ s role has resulted in a more robust “ journey ” for the clients whom she has / is currently working with . Helen ’ s specialist knowledge around substance misuse has supported a more person-centred and dynamic approach when working with those requiring support . Her knowledge of harm reduction and risk management planning is continuing to be of crucial importance to the team . Most importantly , Helen ’ s practice and role within the team has further promoted and enforced positive multi-agency working , leading to positive outcomes for the people of this city .’

Looking ahead , I ’ m thrilled to announce an exciting new initiative in collaboration with our local domestic abuse men and women ’ s projects . We ’ ll soon be launching our first evidencebased and research-led male substance misuse perpetrator programme . After identifying a lack of referral options for this group of men – as a result of them infrequently meeting the criteria for such programmes – as well as a highlighted lack of confidence within workforces about how to address intimate partner abuse ( IPA ), targeted approaches were needed .

The 24-week programme will set out to increase understanding and address IPA perpetration by men in substance

By continuing to place focus on trauma-informed principles at the core of our work , we can instill confidence through education and celebrate the development of meaningful support systems

misuse . The proportion of men in substance use treatment who have abused a partner is much higher than in the general population . Substance misuse is a strong and consistent risk factor for perpetration of IPA and many other risk factors are elevated among men in treatment – including adverse childhood experiences , mental health problems and general violence .

We ’ re confident that this programme will contribute to reducing such statistics and provide men who are concerned about their behaviour with the necessary tools to not only recognise their abusive actions but make significant changes to harmful behaviours .

Sophie Lee is senior social worker at Change Grow Live