Swanswell announces further dates including evenings for free alcohol training due to popular demand
Due to popular demand, Swanswell’s announced new dates for free training that will help Barnsley services identify people who might be affected by alcohol misuse.
The first of the free alcohol Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) training sessions is on Thursday 24 October 2013 – a morning session starting at 9.30am and an afternoon session starting at 1.30pm.
All sessions will be at the Core, County Way, Barnsley and should last no longer than three hours each – places are limited and are filling fast.
Swanswell, a national recovery charity which wants to achieve a society free from problem alcohol and drug use, will also run a further two sessions on Monday 11 November 2013 – an afternoon session from 1.30pm and an evening session from 6pm, introduced following feedback from delegates at previous IBA training events.
Around 11,840 people in Barnsley are drinking at high-risk levels1 but there could be more who don’t realise their alcohol use is causing themselves harm, so Swanswell’s offering the short course to help organisations identify and support those at risk.
Swanswell’s alcohol IBA training is open to organisations in the Barnsley Metropolitan Council area and is ideal for GP practices, pharmacists, hospitals and adult social services, as well as voluntary agencies, housing associations, job centres and anyone else in a public-facing role.
Delegates will learn how to provide brief interventions and advice around alcohol misuse, as well as how to refer people on to specialist services for further support if necessary.
It will also help them recognise and understand the psychological, physical and social effects of alcohol, confidently use different screening tools and learn more about Motivational Interviewing.
If organisations are interested in accessing training for a large number of people in their service, Swanswell can also deliver the training at other suitable venues, subject to minimum booking requirements, terms and conditions.
Annie Steele, Swanswell’s Regional Development Manager in Barnsley, said: ‘Alcohol misuse puts thousands of people at risk of harm every year, many may not even realise, so it’s vital that people can spot the signs early on.
‘Public facing organisations such as GP surgeries, dentists and hospitals are ideal settings to be able to offer brief interventions and advice to people who have visited for another reason, and may not have even realised that alcohol could be a factor.
‘The free training will give organisations the tools to ask the right questions and give appropriate advice without their client having to go elsewhere, unless specialist support is needed.
‘Ultimately it’ll help identify those at risk sooner, so they have less chance of becoming a dependent drinker or causing more harm to their health.’
To book a place on the open IBA training course on 24 October or 11 November, or to enquire about an in-house course, contact barnsleyiba@swanswell.org or call Jon Groves on 01788 559 407.
For more information or supporting photographs, contact:
Stuart Goodwin
PR and Public Policy Manager
Swanswell
Suite 5
Hilton House
Corporation Street
Rugby
CV21 2DN
T 01788 559422
M 07531 490490
stuart.goodwin@swanswell.org
www.swanswell.org
@swanswell
About Swanswell
At Swanswell, we believe in a society free from problem alcohol and drug use; that everyone deserves the chance to change and be happy.
We’re a market leading charity with an exciting programme of innovative new service developments and a team of committed people who are working hard to achieve our ambitions.
Swanswell has a number of offices across the country including Coventry and Warwickshire, Birmingham, Barnsley, Sandwell, Leicestershire and Rutland. Visit Swanswell at: www.swanswell.org.
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