291 people came through the door

79 DNA = Did Not Arrive for the arranged first appointment. However, 32% of the 79 did attend a second appointment.

Of the clients who attended counselling and completed a full set of outcome measures the following showed a reduction in their alcohol and drug use and significant improvements in their health, personal and social situations.

 

top of page

Why is VACTS important to agencies ?

The VACTS recognition process assesses the training provided by an agency. Successful assessment by the VACTS Panel therefore, provides a valuable indicator of quality for an agency, its systems and its staff.

Why is VACTS important to Volunteers Counsellors?

As we are a VACTS agency, volunteer counsellors can rely on the fact that we are committed to investing in them and that we value their skills and achievements.
To a volunteer counsellor we offer...
... training with integral assessment to a nationally accredited level provided by VACTS approved tutors;
... regular supervision with a VACTS approved supervisor;
... annual appraisal;
... management systems which take account of the information and
support needs of unpaid staff;
... training/accreditation which is transferable to other agencies within the VACTS system;
... training which is to be developed in line with NVQs offering opportunities for furthering their national accreditation.

Why is VACTS important to clients?

As a user of this service you can be confident that you will be seen by a counsellor who has received formal, accredited training.

This VACTS training means that your counsellor...

... has been put through a rigorous selection procedure;
... has received a minimum number of hours of training receives
regular, ongoing training;
... has been formally assessed for competence in counselling skills;
... receives regular supervision and appraisal of their counselling work;
... has an understanding and a commitment to the principals of equal opportunities and of anti-discrimination;
... works according to a code of practice which includes a strict adherence to confidentiality.

Why is VACTS important to purchasers and referring agencies?

Purchasers and referring agencies can be assured that, as a VACTS agency, this organisation is committed to providing a quality counselling service. VACTS relates not only to training but also to selection, assessment, staffing, supervision, management & accreditation.

VACTS recognition means that this agency ...

... provides regulated initial and ongoing training of a minimum number of hours to all its volunteer counsellors;
... provides its counsellors with regular supervision to further their development and to protect the client;
... regularly assesses the competence of its volunteer counsellors;
... has the confidence to invite scrutiny of its training and management systems by an external agency;
... uses only staff approved by the VACTS Panel in the training, supervision and management of its volunteers;
... is monitored on an annual basis and is reviewed for re-recognition on a three yearly basis;
... operates within a strong ethical framework encompassing, amongst other things, counsellor contracts, codes of practice, equal opportunities and confidentiality.

top of page

CADAS peer counselling scheme has been operating for four years. It is an innovative project and, as far as we are aware the only one of its kind in the country. Young people between the ages of 16 and 25 undergo a selection procedure and then undertake a challenging and rigorous training programme which is nationally accredited and adheres to minimum standards for recruitment, selection, training and supervision.
We have now completed the training for the fourth group of Peer Counsellors. This gives us, at present, 18 Peer Counsellors countywide, Kendal 2 Whitehaven 4 Penrith 2 Carlisle 10. The referrals have kept us all busy, with us receiving on average 10 a month. Awareness of the Peer Counselling Service seems to be spreading, and not just through the networking system to other organisations but also by word of mouth through the young people themselves. I believe this gives us more credit than most presentations we deliver! It also shows the obvious need for such a service in Cumbria.

The Cumbria Drug Action Team carried out a recent audit of drug and alcohol services in Cumbria for Keith Hellawell, the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator. In this document CADAS is mentioned for its outcome measurement procedures concerning its work with young drug users.

“CADAS have detailed outcome measures in place. This agency is able to demonstrate that their peer counselling services have been extremely effective with some young heroin users. in these cases the most common treatment outcome has been abstinence”.

We have also had a great deal of recognition out of the county as well.

It is unfortunate that there has been a small drop out rate during the counselling training last year. This has provoked us to review the recruitment and training structure so that CADAS receives value for money and our clients feel valued by receiving a reliable service. It costs CADAS in the region of £1,500 to train and supervise a peer counsellor for 2 years. We have number of ideas we are going to put into action for the next course. One of these is to widen the age range from 16-25 to 16-30. This will open the course to more young people and provide that training group with a better balance of age and experience. The peer trainees will continue to receive support from the Peer Project Manager throughout the course, in between training days and when they come on-line seeing clients, giving them an extra reference point within CADAS.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL AWARENESS WORKSHOPS

Our reputation for quality training and informative workshops continues to proceed us. I have packaged a six hour Drug and Alcohol Awareness Course which can be delivered in schools, youth groups and training agencies. etc. Often we are asked to run one-off sessions for an hour or two. This is a useful way to make contact with young people and to let them know about the service and the training. Evaluations are always completed by the people who attend and they consistently provide positive feedback. These are some of the comments that attendees have made:-

“She attempted to create a relaxed atmosphere by using 1st name terms and signing the (group) agreement in the 1st lesson - so we could feel comfortable discussing things in the group”
“The other Guide Leader and myself were very impressed by the presenter and presentation, she was very approachable by both the girls and ourselves, in fact I learned a lot too!”.
“I liked all the things we done but I liked drawing a person and putting how drugs effects the body”.

There are a number of reason why I think the sessions are successful. They are delivered in a way which is informative for all levels of ability , they are interactive and fun and probably most importantly is that they are truthful. This gains respect from young people because it doesn’t discount their knowledge of these issues.
The awareness sessions don’t just deal with harm reduction and drug and alcohol hard facts either. There are other just as important information that young people need to gain and build on in order to tackle drug and alcohol issues effectively. Relationships are the key thread which run through the sessions and it reflects what happens in the rest of the CADAS - our staff team and counselling work.

The following quote from the Peer Counsellor trainers sums up our view of substance misuse problems:
“We regard addiction as a manifestation of attachment difficulties and our working concept is that it is a pathological relationship with a mood altering substance or behaviour. People who do not have the experience of other people as a reliable source of comfort are more likely to turn to substances to give them what they want. At least substances are reliable! Counselling offers a model of how to form relationships in a potent and positive way with another person and this is why it can help reduce dependence on drugs and alcohol as a source of comfort”.

Young people want to be liked, accepted, feel part of the group and be understood - they want to be in a relationship. Hopefully through our contact with them in the sessions as well as the counselling) we can help them to experience and understand healthy relationships both with one another and ourselves.

Young people usually have quite an interest in drugs and alcohol and the many issues which surround the subject. They also often have a great deal of knowledge on these subjects. Our workshops provide a safe and confidential environment where they can discuss openly and ask questions about both these issues which can often be an accepted part of their lives.

This year has been very busy and rewarding for the Peer Project. We would like to thank all the peer counsellors who have given their time to the project through the counselling work and to those who have jumped at the chance to help with promoting the service through workshops and talks. All work is greatly appreciated and we are pleased to continue to support the young people involved in CADAS - counsellors and clients.

top of page