‘ THERE ARE TWO KEY PARTS to coming off and staying off drugs ,’ says Kim Hager , joint commissioning manager and drugs strategy partnership lead at Cornwall Council . ‘ One is medical – coming off the actual drugs people are dependent upon . The other is improving social functioning , so that people can sustain their recovery successfully .’

With this in mind , the council has increased funding for WithYou in Cornwall ’ s Life Skills team , enabling it to work with more than 300 people across the county who are experiencing challenges with drug or alcohol use . The aim is to provide expert advice – but also

the ‘ structure , stability and human interaction ’ that are so vital . ‘ We ’ re starting to see the positive impact that this is having on people ’ s lives ,’ says Hager .

Alongside drop-in groups , the team provides advice on benefits , debt and housing , and digital skills training to help people back into employment . They give ‘ cooking on a budget ’ classes to help improve physical health and walks to support mental wellbeing , as well as specialist sessions , including for members of the armed forces community . The women-only support group The Fabulous Flamingos provides a safe space for women to talk to other women about their trauma and explore other forms of support through an

integrated and reassuring approach – an environment that ’ s ‘ very inclusive ’ and where ‘ everyone is embraced ’, according to an attendee , Kim . ‘ There wouldn ’ t be much variety in my life without the group ,’ she says . ‘ I always leave feeling much better than when I arrived .’

Hager knows that ‘ for many people , drugs have become a solution to the problems they are experiencing , which can include housing , employment or mental wellbeing ’ and hopes that investing in life skills will play a dynamic role in reducing drug deaths . Feedback from participants shows the initiative is making a difference by working in partnership to get people feeling back on track .

‘ We ’ re starting to see the positive impact that this is having on people ’ s lives .’

‘ I ’ d be in a pretty vulnerable state right now if it wasn ’ t for the support of the Life Skills team ,’ says Sophie . ‘ I ’ ve been supported , understood and empowered through completing life skills around accessing benefits . They also consistently update me about groups and events and try to help reduce my social isolation . I really appreciate that they haven ’ t given up on me .’

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