Swanswell offers free alcohol training for Barnsley services
Free training courses are being offered by Swanswell to help services in Barnsley identify people who might be affected by alcohol misuse.
There are around 11,840 people in Barnsley who are drinking at high-risk levels, so the national recovery charity is offering half-day courses to help identify and support people who may be causing themselves harm because of their drinking.
Funded by Barnsley Drug and Alcohol Action Team, Swanswell’s Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) training is open to those working in the Barnsley Metropolitan Council area.
It’s ideal for team members in GP practices, pharmacists, hospitals, housing associations, voluntary agencies, adult social services and those working in children and young persons’ services as well as 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’ll also help them recognise and understand the psychological, physical and social effects of alcohol, calculate alcohol units, confidently use different screening tools and learn more about Motivational Interviewing.
Open courses are available on Wednesday 17 July (afternoon session) and Friday 13 September (morning or afternoon sessions available) at the Core, County Way, Barnsley, with further dates still to be announced.
Training can also be delivered in-house, 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 register your interest in attending the open courses 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:
Swanswell
Suite5, Hilton House
Corporation Street
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV21 2DN
Tel: 01788 559 422
Email: stuart.goodwin@swanswell.org
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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