HAVE YOUR SAY Write to the editor and get it off your chest claire @ cjwellings . com
‘ I wish that perhaps something like this was around 20 years ago then maybe life could have been different .’
KELLY
past as a plus point and use it to help others .’ There has always been a stigma around addiction and the idea that a person ’ s history will always be held against them but with Flourish in Nature , Kelly is using her history positively to speak her truth and help others through their recovery journey . ‘ I used to hide my background and wasn ’ t able to be honest with others because I always thought I would go back to it … Flourish in Nature has made me be more honest with myself , now I know I won ’ t go back so I can be proud of where I came from ,’ she states .
‘ Something bad would have happened and that would have been an excuse to go back to it , but now I am not risking all that . I have accomplished and built so much because I have so much going for me .’ Flourish in Nature offers endless growth and continuous training allowing individuals to grow and connect with themselves through nature . It will also continue to tackle the stigma around addiction – as Kelly says , ‘ People witness the members of this programme walking around and it is normalising the stigma and showing that we can do some good .’ This powerful message is a small but wonderful way of breaking down barriers . A last comment from Kelly , ‘ I am so thankful and grateful for all the tools that they have given me . I kind of owe them to really do my best so that others can benefit too .’
Kerrie Clifford is marketing and communication manager at EDP Drug & Alcohol Services ; Allysa Hornbuckle is Humankind intern
‘ Charities Oasis Project in Brighton and national helpline Nacoa have launched the # Findyouroasis competition , working together in supporting young people and adults to share their stories .’
GIVING A VOICE
Charities Oasis Project in Brighton and national helpline Nacoa have launched the # Findyouroasis competition , working together in supporting young people and adults to share their story of being the child of an alcoholic ( COA ) through creative arts to help others to feel less alone . This can be done anonymously through poetry , story , art and song with categories 12-18 , and 18 plus .
Enter the competition here : www . oasisproject . org . uk / competition but time is running out as the competition closes on 11 July , so please take a look – all you need to do is fill in a short consent form and include your entry in an email .
Many children of alcoholics feel alone in their experience , so we hope to give a voice to those affected . We would like people to share their experience of being a COA if they feel comfortable , no matter how big or small . It could be anything from the way they feel about their parent , to something that helped them cope , find peace amongst chaos , or express their feelings .
There will be a celebrity judging panel and the top three in each category will receive prizes . Selected entries will be exhibited at Brighton Fishing Quarter Gallery from 12 – 17 August and invited to a launch event , and many of the entries will be turned into a book .
For more details or any questions please email ceri . walker @ oasisproject . org . uk and follow Oasis Project and Nacoa on social media for updated information . Ceri Walker , Back on Track programme co-ordinator
END OVERDOSE
Everyone who is part of the International Overdose Awareness Day campaign has the same wish : to end the overdose crisis . How to do that will differ across the world because the challenges facing communities , and what is needed to create change , look different depending on where you are .
I would love to hear directly from this diverse and dedicated community about what is happening and what outcomes you want to achieve .
We will use your insights plus those we have gained from convening this campaign to build a new ‘ advocacy ’ page on the International Overdose Awareness Day website , highlighting the goals of our worldwide movement – so please share your thoughts by emailing info @ overdoseday . com John Ryan , International Overdose Awareness Day
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