May Bulletin - Birmingham

Welcome to our bulletin! You can click on the links below to take you to different sections of the page. 

A message from our Head of Services, Victoria

In March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, we were all faced with uncertainty, and very quickly huge changes had to be made in Change Grow Live so we could continue providing a service to the citizens of Birmingham. The response from staff, volunteers, and our partners to achieve this was phenomenal and I am personally very grateful for everyone’s hard work. To support the people that use our service to stay at home we adapted to new ways of working using telephone and video contact and ensured our hubs remained open so we could see those that needed to be seen. Between March 2020 and March 2021, 3844 individuals started accessing support for substance use which is incredible.

New virtual ways of working have provided flexibility and greater choice for the people that use our service and have helped us to think differently about how we provide support. However, we know that face to face contact is important and it is these connections with people that we are increasing more and more as we move further out of restrictions.

For the year ahead we will continue making a difference to prevent drug and alcohol-related deaths through reducing harm and facilitating access to better health care. We will continue to support individuals to reconnect with their community and find a life that is free of problematic drug and alcohol use. Alongside our partners, we plan to build on the amazing groups that have developed throughout the last year enabling individuals to connect with others. We have a growing team that will be able to do more of the fantastic work they do across the city to support the homeless. Through pro-active outreach, we plan to increase the numbers accessing treatment who leave prison with a substance use need. We are aiming for micro-elimination of Hepatitis C through testing and supporting individuals to access treatment for it. Importantly, as we move forward, we want to hear more from the people that use our service to help us shape its future.

A photo of the Hep C testing clinic

Hepatitis C testing: Check it out

Throughout May, Change Grow Live, with the Hep C Trust and University Hospitals Birmingham, have hosted hepatitis C testing clinics. So far this has been a huge success with those most vulnerable getting a test and additional support with housing and health needs. University Hospitals Birmingham has been offering liver scans so that people can receive the medical support they need, along with harm prevention advice from Change Grow Live.

A big thank you to all the staff and volunteers who took part in the testing events and made our clients feel welcomed. The recovery motivators did a fantastic job of talking to clients and helped them to understand their next steps. Well done to Jackie, our hep C coordinator for the region, for organizing the events across Birmingham.

We will be releasing a blog about the outcomes of our hepatitis C events here in Birmingham, and Change Grow Live will continue to support the elimination of blood-borne viruses.

Women’s Team

Did you know we have a dedicated Women’s team at Change Grow Live Birmingham? Our Women’s team has been making well-being calls to clients feeling scared, isolated, and in potentially high-risk situations. The team has established a link with a new City Hospital substance misuse midwife who has been able to attend Women and Families groups, supporting pregnant women with Ante Natal Care. The team has also re-established links with Umbrella sexual health for rapid access to STI testing and contraception.

Founded by our safeguarding team, the Women’s team staff continue to attend monthly meetings with Heartlands and Good Hope substance misuse midwives, to support women into services for safe delivery of babies. The team is continuing to support the elimination of Hepatitis C by posting out testing kits to those unable to attend clinic appointments in person.

A photo of nasal naloxone

Catch us on Newsnight

On Wednesday 12th May, Newsnight aired a special report on a pilot for West Midlands Police to carry kits of Nyxoid. Nyxoid is a nasal naxolone temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and helps police officers stabilise a patient as they wait for medical assistance.

This initiative was the first of its kind in the country and was started by Change Grow Live’s Cluster Lead Nurse Craig in May 2019. The pilot took place in Birmingham where Change Grow Live provided training, support, and volunteers to West Midlands Police to enable safe practices with Nyxoid. Since this initiative, West Midlands police have extended this to Walsall, with other parts of the country to follow. The initiative is currently voluntary but there are plans to roll this out force-wide.

In the report, we hear Craig talk about the life-saving effect of Nyxoid to Walsall police staff: “you will see a difference in 30 seconds to a minute, it’s that quick” and stressing the importance of preserving human life. Claire James, Associate Director for Nursing at Change Grow Live, talks about the passion and police officers wanting to get involved with the initiative.

The report digs deeper into substance misuse by interviewing a Change Grow Live volunteer Andrew about his experiences. Andrew’s life was saved from an overdose by a friend carrying a type of Naloxone. Andrew is now supporting others in Birmingham by volunteering with Change Grow Live.

To watch the report, please click here. Change Grow Live is featured 31 minutes into the programme.

Find out more about Nyxoid and Naloxone and training opportunities on our website and find our contact information below.

Watch this space: Homeless and Rough Sleeper team

We are excited to announce the expansion of our Homeless and Rough Sleeper team. The team is still in the early stages but is already connecting with clients and partners across the city.

The team hopes to offer our drug and alcohol services to the most vulnerable in Birmingham, expanding out of the city centre to wider areas and harder to reach communities.

The team is still recruiting for some roles, please see our jobs website or LinkedIn page for more information. Follow our social media pages and visit our website for live updates over the coming weeks.

We’re getting social

We to keep you up to date and in the know with our new Facebook and Instagram pages. From ‘feedback Fridays’ to recovery month, we are here to shout about the work we are doing in Birmingham.  Be sure to follow us to hear the latest local updates from us.

How to refer

You can fill out our referral form on the website here.

Give us a ring if you have any questions: 0121 227 5890

 

Eligibility:

  1. Any person 18 years and above experiencing concerns around drug and alcohol.
  2. Any person who has been abstinent or recently detoxed in the last three weeks.
  3. Recent risk assessments and prescription medication needs to be available

 

We do not offer:

  • Drug tests for unregistered clients (must be registered with Change Grow Live)
  • Substitute medication for alcohol or opiate use without an assessment
  • Emergency services (please call 999 or 111 to speak to a medical professional)
  • Relapse prevention

 

 

Go back to the Birmingham news and events page