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.
...there are so many health benefits to cutting down and you’ll feel the benefit in your pocket too, as drinking less will cost you less
We’re delighted to have been awarded this new contract to continue delivering alcohol treatment to adults in Sandwell and to expand the services we’re able to offer to the community
The figures aren’t surprising to us but should act as a wake-up call to anyone who is thinking of getting behind the wheel the morning after a night of heavy drinking
The best advice if you’re planning on driving the next day is not to drink at all the night before – but if you do, limit your drinking and stop early on, so there’s plenty of time for the alcohol to leave your system before driving the next morning
Education is key to helping new drivers understand the hazards on the roads – and drink-driving is one that currently doesn’t get the attention it needs
Education is key to helping people make informed choices about their alcohol use, so we’re encouraged by calls to add more information on labels for beer, wine and spirits, and in pubs
Kelly’s human right to live was taken away because someone wanted a drink and thought it was ok to get behind the wheel.
...the best way to ensure you’re not over the limit and putting lives at risk is not to drink at all if you’re planning to drive
Education is key to helping people make informed choices about their relationship with alcohol, so we welcome calls for clear and more prominent health warnings on labels
We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be continuing to raise as much money as we can, so we can help make a big difference to as many lives as we can
With proper investment in research, diagnosis and treatment, decision-makers could help make alcohol dementia a thing of the past, but we all have a part to play – it’s not something anyone can tackle on their own
Introducing minimum unit pricing, for example, could save hundreds of lives every year and reduce alcohol-related hospital admissions among heavy drinkers by tens of thousands – something we think is certainly worth trying
It’ll be challenging from a personal point of view but if we can raise awareness of problem alcohol and drug use, and raise money to help even more people who need it, it’ll be worth it
We hope some of the money raised will go towards helping others who might benefit from the support my mum had
...it’s vital that parents and children have access to better education and clearer information to help them understand the harm that alcohol can cause, and that open and informed conversations about alcohol use are encouraged at home
We’re on site to answer questions, give confidential advice or just to have a friendly chat, from the moment the camp site gates open, right through to the last day of the festival
...if people had access to better education and clearer information about the harm alcohol can cause, it’s likely they’ll think twice before getting into a situation where they could be breaking the law and finding themselves massively out of pocket
There’s no easy way to know if you’re under the limit or safe to drive and alcohol affects people in different ways, so we’d recommend not drinking at all if you’re planning on getting behind the wheel the next day
With proper investment in research, diagnosis and treatment, decision-makers could help make alcohol dementia a thing of the past, but we all have a part to play – it’s not something anyone can tackle on their own
It’s vital that people have access to better education and clearer information – and that governments take appropriate action to remove mixed messaging around alcohol – so that they can make informed decisions to help them be safe
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
We hope some of the money raised will go towards helping other people who might benefit from the support my mum had
It’s clear from the results that existing health messages aren’t getting through, so we need a more integrated approach to alcohol and drugs education globally to help people make informed decisions about whether or not they choose to use them
Caroline Gadsby, Operations Manager for Swanswell in Leicestershire and Rutland
People often tell us that the Independent Living Service gave them the confidence to get their lives back on track, so we’ve shared their experiences at our celebration event to encourage others to come forward, and take the first step to change and be happy
I’m really looking forward to helping Swanswell continue with this ambition and to carry on making a big difference to the lives of thousands of people every year
During these tough economic times, is it right that hard working families – even those who use alcohol moderately or not at all – should further subsidise the cost of dealing with the health and social harms relating to problem drinking?
We need to cut through the misinformation, so that people have the facts in an understandable way to enable them to make informed decisions about their relationship with alcohol – better education and clearer information are key to achieving this
I often say I’m the luckiest Chief Executive to have such a talented team of individuals who really go the extra mile ever day, so it’s great to know our team members feel the same about working at Swanswell
We need to see increased investment in national research to help us understand exactly what the risks are
Games that encourage people to drink excessively and ridicule those who don’t are irresponsible, so if you’re invited to take part, think twice about doing so
We’re delighted that we’re now recognised as a Leader in Diversity, which reflects our commitment to ensuring fairness for all in everything we do; something that everyone should embrace
The opening of the first motorway pub is another worrying example of how alcohol is so embedded in everyday life
In this economy, it’s vital that organisations do all they can to reduce the cost of this type of absence effectively, while ensuring their employees have access to support and information that will help improve their health and wellbeing
If alcohol use is becoming a problem, it’s a good time to take the first step and speak to organisations such as Swanswell, who can offer non-judgemental help and advice
...the only way to ensure you don’t ruin the festive season for you and others is to avoid drinking alcohol if you’re getting behind the wheel
There needs to be clearer guidance about prescribing, and more time for an in-depth conversation between GPs and patients, so they can discuss better alternatives to staying on prescribed medication, if appropriate
Speaking to your child first will help arm them with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions in years to come
Focusing a larger proportion of investment in to research, diagnosis and treatment for alcohol dementia, could help make the condition a thing of the past
With proper investment in research, diagnosis and treatment, alcohol dementia could be a thing of the past
Carers Rights Day is an opportunity to find out more about the help and advice available in Barnsley, so carers can move forward with their life while still supporting friends of relatives with their recovery
Any conversation around tackling underage drinking is welcome but the focus here needs to be around educating people about the risks of giving alcohol to children in the first place
Alcohol Awareness Week’s a good opportunity to encourage conversations around alcohol and highlight the support available through Swanswell’s Carer Support Service, so carers can move forward with their life while supporting a loved one with their recovery
Problem alcohol use costs thousands of lives every year and billions of pounds to deal with, yet it’s something that’s entirely preventable in the first place
...it’s essential that employers approach any identified cases of problem alcohol use sensitively and offer the appropriate support, so that team members feel they can get the help they need without fear of a negative impact on their employment.
Our stall will also be a great opportunity to pick up a bargain – all money raised will go towards helping local residents using our services to get their lives back on track, improving family life and ensuring a prolonged, effective recovery
Ultimately though, tackling alcohol misuse is not something any government, organisation or individual can do on their own – we all have a part to play
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
Swanswell’s new money advice service is designed to give people the skills to get back in control of their finances, helping to increase the chance of a full and sustained recovery and return to independent living
We understand that the tough economic times and worries about money can have a negative affect on people’s lives, so we’re pleased to be able to support Swanswell’s new money advice service
