The recession is nothing new to us in the rehab sector we’ve been cash starved for years.  Sadly, all too often we are not given a voice – often our sector is considered to be “out of touch” with the street and not “relevant”.  But  – thanks to the visit of Anne Milton Minister for Health on 2^nd December – I’m thrilled to say that for the first time I’ve felt listened to by a senior politician and my views sought on a number of subjects.

Minister for Health Visits Western Counselling

Minister Aware of Rehab Challenges

When you issue an invitation to an MP, Minister or other public figure to visit your service there’s always a concern that they won’t understand what you’re all about, that they just won’t “get” you.

When Anne Milton visited Western Counselling last week it was a relief and a pleasure to find that the Minister was fully conversant with the challenges that face the residential rehabilitation sector. She was interested in the work we do in partnership with Lighthouse Weston (a social action charity that works to support and train vulnerable people in Weston super Mare through a range of projects) and the work it helps us achieve offering our clients to learn Life and Social Skills.

Minister Anne Milton (centre) meets staff at Western Counselling

She discussed the work we undertake with all our clients and in our discussions we identified particular areas of excellence; one being the partnership and support we offer to a large national employer that actively seeks to assist employees with addiction issues and refers them to us for treatment and Aftercare support.

The Minister met our clients and her empathy was tangible. They responded positively to her questions and genuine interest in their personal stories.  She was interested in their lives, their recovery, their future plans and their families.  She was also interested in their views on our service, which was truly humbling.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All!  I’m not a ‘blinkered’ individual who thinks that Residential Rehab is the only answer in addiction treatment I wholeheartedly believe that

• Harm minimisation
• Drop in
• Structured daycare
• Residential treatment

Are all required to meet the differing needs of those seeking our assistance.  One size doesn’t fit all and it’s vital that each treatment and modality is available. Residential rehab services like ours are in fact very aware of what’s going on in our communities and that’s why we are an evolving resource that cannot be lost as an alternative for the addict/alcoholic.

Rehab is an essential part of the mix for addicts

The bottom line is that Addiction kills and we need to stop squabbling and start finding appropriate funding streams to meet the needs of those in need of our help.

That Ms Milton was prepared to come to Weston-super-Mare and put time aside from her hectic schedule to meet with us and spend time at Western Counselling gives me comfort that there are individuals in the Government who understand the pressures on the sector.