North East Lincolnshire
Drug & Alcohol Action Team (DAAT)
The Roundabout
The Roundabout User Group Roundabout Volunteer’s Programme
What is the Roundabout?
The Roundabout is a User Group in Grimsby, it is run by ex-users to support, advise and guide anyone suffering whether past or present from drug or alcohol problems.
The Roundabout was founded by Clair and Jason who were ex-heroin users who were on the Structured Day Programme (SDP) together. From personal experiences they realised that low confidence, boredom and lack of social skills and support networks were all a factor in why people lapsed/relapsed back into using. They felt that users/ex-users needed somewhere where they would fit in, feel accepted and could meet and talk to others who where experiencing, or had experienced the same problems and issues as them.
What does the Roundabout do and offer?
The Roundabout staff and volunteers represent users at local & regional meetings reporting such things as treatment waiting times, gaps in service provision and what is and isn’t working within the region which gives users a much needed voice.
From personal experiences the Roundabout team developed a number of services for the using community/ex-users including time filling activities, which help to build confidence, social and interaction skills whilst filling the ‘boredom’ gap left by stopping or reducing substances.
Drop in sessions were developed to support, advise and guide users whilst also providing treatment advice, advocacy, trigger and relapse advice and tips, harm reduction/minimisation/Blood Born Viruses (Hep C/HIV) information and basically help with any issues faced by users. These drop-ins work extremely well as both current and ex-users like the welcoming, non judgemental community feeling and atmosphere created by the Roundabout team. As one user quoted “You always feel welcome at the Roundabout, you know they understand as they’ve all been there and they will try and help you with anything you need help with. If it wasn’t for the Roundabout drop-ins I’d be still drinking all day, everyday! I hope to become a volunteer next and move on to a permanent job in the drug field just as Clair, Jason and other Roundabout volunteers have.”
Home visits and handholding are also available for users/ex-users who may not be confident/assertive enough to attend the Roundabout and other appointments, or have health needs that prevent them attending.
ROUNDABOUT PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIESActivity Days and Times Venue Roundabout Drop In Sessions 11-1.30pm Mon, Wed, Thurs Roundabout, St James House, Grimsby Clothing Bank 11-1.30pm Mon, Wed, Thurs
Access to clothing bank through Roundabout Drop insRoundabout, St James House, Grimsby Surgery with
Community Outreach Nurse 11-1.00pm Mondays Roundabout, St James House, Grimsby Holistic Therapy such as Black Box Treatments Mon, Wed & Thursday’s 1pm onwards Roundabout St James House, Grimsby
Home visits / service visits can be arranged - contact to arrangeRoundabout Evening Session
Includes pool, table tennis, bar football, air hockey5 – 7pm Thursdays evenings Grimsby Neighbourhood Centre
289a Weelsby St, GrimsbyFootball with Terry 1 -3 pm Tuesdays Freeman St Resource Centre (Pitches), Kent St, Grimsby The ‘Jas Smith Foundation’ formerly known as the Hepatitis C Support Group 2 -4 pm last Friday of every month Roundabout, St James House, Grimsby U Group
(Mental Health, Homelessness & Drugs/ Alcohol Group)10-12pm Friday’s (apart from during School Holidays) Your Place Wellington St Grimsby, Corner of Wellington St and Weelsby opposite GY Neighbourhood Church Men’s Group 10.30 – 12.30pm Thursdays
Meet at Roundabout at 1.00pm to attendAddaction –contact the Roundabout to arrange to attend. Women’s Group 1.30 – 3.30pm Thursdays
Meet at Roundabout at 1.15pm to attend St Hughs Community Centre, Haycroft Street, Grimsby –
meet at Roundabout to attend.Roundabout Rambles 4 and 10 miles monthly Rambles– alternative weekend walks can also be arranged. Contact Roundabout for further details Table Tennis 11.00 -3.00pm Mondays
11.00 – 1.30pm Wednesdays
11.00-1.00pm ThursdaysRoundabout, St James House, Grimsby Roundabout & Addaction Football Tournament
Teams Playing
1. Addaction Grimsby Service Users
2. Addaction Grimsby project workers
3. Addaction Scunthorpe Service Users
4. Addaction Scunthorpe project workers
5. 2 * Roundabout User Group teamsFriday July 18th 2008
(10.00- 1.30ish - time to be confirmed shortly)
Contact Terry/ Clair at the Roundabout asap to arrange places on the team.
Buffet and trophy presentations will follow the tournament.Cleethorpes leisure Centre
– Bus fares and travel arrangements will be made contact the Roundabout for more information. A N N U A L E V E N T S Together in Sports Event – Sheffield DAAT
Users and Carers from around the Yorkshire & Humber Region meeting to compete in the following:
· Football tournament
· Relay Races (Men’s, Women’s and mixed)
· 100m, 200m and 400m races
· Face painting and children’s relay and races
· Free Holistic therapies
· Free refreshments and buffet
· Presentation event.September 2008 pick up 7am onwards.
Coach will be provided free of charge.
Clients are welcome to book places for their children.
Last year 34users from NELincs attended this event! Contact Clair at the Roundabout to book place – places will be limited! Christmas Day Opening
Jointly run by the Roundabout and Grimsby Neighbourhood Church
This day was developed by the Roundabout due to the lonely and depressing times faced by users at Christmas, particularly the ones who have lost family contact or have nothing to provide for their families Christmas Day.Free Christmas Dinner, music, presents and fun – every Christmas Day 10.30am – 4.00pm Contact Clair at the Roundabout to book place – places are limited!
Venue and times to be confirmed nearer the time. C O M I N G S O O N Music Workshops TBA Roundabout St James House, Grimsby Drama Workshops TBA Roundabout St James House, Grimsby
Following the success of the Roundabout User Group a Volunteers programme was developed, again the Roundabout Group knew from personal experiences that it can be a confusing time trying to figure out where to go and what direction to follow in respect of a career once you become clean. So it was thought that the Roundabout volunteers programme would be a great stepping stone to start and build individuals up and move on. This is open to any ex-users, who would like to build up confidence and use their own past experiences to help others. Who knows better what type of advice and support to give someone better than someone’s who’s lived through an addiction.
The programme has two levels of volunteers. The step up level which users/ex-users who are almost clean but need that extra responsibility, structure and support to complete their journey of abstinence and level one which is for the more stable users/ex-users who will be trained in the running of the Roundabout. People can choose to volunteer for as few or as many hours as they wish, all we ask for is commitment to their chosen days, after all users and ex-users rely on the group.
You may be thinking that you will never get where the Roundabout team are now, but that’s what they all thought too and they have achieved goals they never thought they’d reach.
(I can verify this as I was addicted to Heroin for 8 years and I never dreamed I’d be one month clean never mind 5 years and employed as I currently am. If you haven’t guessed I’m Clair one of the original creators of the Roundabout.)
Moving on and building a good career and life after an addiction CAN happen, it happened for all of the Roundabout team and can happen for you. Every one works and develops differently and at different speeds; with the Roundabout’s added help, support and guidance then so can you!
Who can refer into the Roundabout?
Anyone can self refer into the Roundabout. Agencies, family members, professionals can directly refer into the group by contacting them on the details provided. The only criteria at the Roundabout is that clients are over 18, however any youths that access the service will be supported on to the relevant agency.
What about confidentiality?
The Roundabout adheres to the NE Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus confidentiality policy. No information is ever released unless mutually agreed with worker and client. However if there was a risk of significant harm to an individual/young person then the confidentiality may need to be broken.
How do I contact the Roundabout?
If you would like to volunteer or access any of the Roundabout services then contact the Roundabout on the details below or drop in and see us at one of the sessions where we will be happy to help.
Mobile: 07768 600789 / 07917078246 (texts and pranks replied to) Office: 01472 360709 Fax: 01472 360709
mailto: the_roundabout@hotmail.co.uk
clair.mcdaid@nelctp.nhs.uk
