Liber8 (Lanarkshire) Ltd

Annual Report 2011/2012

Your Goals

Your Concerns

Your Challenges

Your Fears

Your Future

Our Focus

Contents Page

Chairman’s Foreword

Chief Executive’s Report

Liber8 Services & Projects

Adult & Family

Youth

Liber8 Health & Leisure

Blood Borne Virus

Accounts

Funders & Partners

Chairman’s Foreword

Welcome to the fifth Liber8 (Lanarkshire) Ltd annual report

In last year’s report I commented on various things including the economic climate and the Lanarkshire wide family service tender, well I am pleased to announce that not only did we indeed buck the trend regarding third sector financing but more importantly we won the family service, now called Meridian.

We have been driving forward our plans for Liber8 Health and Leisure and in the current financial year we have been investing in fully developing the center and have even more things planned in the future.

We have been continuing to develop partnerships with other organisations and are confident that we can deliver more together than we can separately. As always we are driven by providing high quality services to our clients while maintaining a tight grip on finances.

Someone once commented that a specific year was an “annus horribilius” and some could describe this year as being the same for Liber8 but as always we don’t see things like others do. Some may try to hurt us but that’s just an opportunity to learn new skills and we have come out the other side all the stronger for it. I think a better description is a year of hard work with excellent results for it, you get what you deserve and that’s never been truer than this year.

The senior management team worked harder than ever to protect the employee’s jobs and to ensure that the organization finished the year in a stronger position than ever before, with this effort and the support of our funders this became a reality, it’s testament to these efforts that we are here today reporting a further year of growth. There’s much more to deliver for Lanarkshire’s residents and Liber8 with their dedicated staff and volunteers intend to be at the forefront of delivering an ever increasing array of high quality, value for money services.

Our services not only impact on our clients but indirectly they impact on almost everyone in South Lanarkshire, does anyone not know at least one person affected by alcohol or drug dependency or associated anti-social behavior, I doubt it.

My message to the staff and volunteers is keep up the good work and be confident that my fellow Directors and I are 100% behind you all the time.

Gordon Muir Chairman

Chief Executive’s Report

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Liber8’s Annual Report, which sets out for our service users, funders and partners what our charity has achieved in the past twelve months and our future plans.

There are times in life that challenge our strengths and change the way we see the world. This past year has been one of those times and I am delighted to report that at Liber8 Lanarkshire, the organisation, the individuals involved and the projects are as strong and vital as ever. It has been a very eventful year with the economic environment being very challenging so it is particularly encouraging that our income and project expenditure have increased. It may be a well-worn phrase but ….‘when the going gets tough - the tough gets going’

Despite the uncertain economic landscape, I know that we must all continue to do our work because if we don't, if we take our eye off the ball or become distracted, often by less important issues so as we cannot continue to provide our services then individuals, families and communities in Lanarkshire will feel the loss, will feel the negative consequences of not having community based support services to help them in their recovery journey. It with this in mind that Liber8 strides forward, stronger than before, into the next year as passionate and committed as always.

During the last year the consolidation and expansion of Liber8 has allowed us to achieve or exceed our targets and key performance indicators across every contract and in many cases, activity levels were exceeded by considerable margins. However, its relatively easy to say “this year we helped over 5,000 individuals”, but this statement becomes more than a statistic when considered as one story at a time. Stories such as, Joe and his family who were seeking help as his daily alcohol consumption threatened not only his job but his sanity. Kerry, who attempted suicide at the tender age of 14 because she couldn’t face her parents when they found out she had been using drugs or Anne, who lost not only her driving licence, but her job, her house and her family after being caught driving under the influence of alcohol. We must not forget that each story, each statistic, involves a life that needs to be understood; this is often the first step on the road to recovery—understanding. Liber8’s staff are extraordinary in their dedication and commitment to understand and help people find their way; supporting clients, their families and the wider community, to better understand the complex world of alcohol and drug misuse and dependency. In closing, Liber8 remain committed to address issues that affect people who are directly or indirectly affected by alcohol and substance misuse and we are deeply grateful to all those who make this work possible – staff, Board Members, volunteers, partners, donors and funders alike. I would like to applaud and thank them for all their efforts and achievements. Margaret Halbert Chief Executive Officer

Meridian—the New Family Focused Project !

The Lanarkshire Meridian Project is a new and dynamic service model of early intervention which has been

designed and instigated through a joint partnership approach. On the announcement of the Lanarkshire

Alcohol and Drug Partnership’s commissioning process for the new pan Lanarkshire family outcome focused

service, Liber8 welcomed the opportunity to work in partnership with the Alcohol Counselling Team to submit

a joint and subsequent successful tender application for the service which is now delivered in partnership by

the two organisations.

The Lanarkshire Meridian Service began in September 2011 and replaces

Liber8’s Adult Counselling service as the main adult and family project within Liber8. We were happy that the

existing staff were able to transfer to the Meridian service although some restructuring took place. Jim Lannigan

moved from the Adult Counselling service to become Operational Manager for Meridian

Annual Highlights

In the first year, Meridian has been extremely busy and grown beyond expectations. Referrals came from a variety of organisations such as LAADS/SMT/NLIAS/GP’s and Hospitals. However encouragingly the biggest source of referrals is self-referral, people picking up the phone and asking for help. In this first year there has

been approximately 1,800 referrals to Meridian from across Lanarkshire.

In terms of accessibility, Meridian already has four offices in Blantyre, Lanark, Coatbridge and Motherwell while satellite venues are available in East Kilbride and Cumbernauld and next year it is anticipated that more venues will be opened to make the service accessible in each of the localities in Lanarkshire.

Meridian offered within the year period a combined total of 10,625 appointments, this included assessments, counselling and support sessions.

The project also has its own website where you can find a whole host of information relating to alcohol,

drugs or related issues and there is a dedicated helpline for those seeking advice or information.

Families / Carers Support Service

Families of individuals who are affected by alcohol and drug issues often need help too. Knowing what to do and

how to cope with the often difficult and worrying situations can be stressful and painful for family members,

Meridian is here to help and offer support in various ways. Family members can be referred by other agencies or

by self referral.

Young People

Young people from the age of 14 years can attend the Meridian service. They can self

refer or be referred by an agency who is already working with them. The service is open to young people concerned

about their own consumption or that of a friend or family member and feel that they could benefit from support.

Meridian—Interventions

The work of Meridian is based on a tiered system of care.

Some of the interventions offered by Meridian include:

One to one counselling : carried out by fully qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapists and

Person Centred Counsellors generically trained with specialist aspects in substance use work.

Support work: for individuals and families; carried out by highly trained, experienced and competent staff.

Group work: facilitated by trained group workers with specialist knowledge in alcohol and substance use work.

Family Work: Individual emotional and practical support for parents/carers; practical help with daily living, e.g budgeting, routines shopping; support for parents and children to spend constructive quality time together

Liber8’s Youth Services

The StreetBase projects in both North and South Lanarkshire offer services to young people aged 10–18 years

who are either directly involved in the consumption of alcohol/substances or who are indirectly affected by the

consumption of alcohol/ substances of a significant other. StreetBase provides a range of services for young

people, including prevention and education; alternative and diversionary activities and support and counselling.

All services have the aim of minimising the harm that can often be experienced by alcohol and or drug use.

The StreetBase project involves a team of highly skilled and trained detached youth development workers. The

staff engage and develop relationships with young people who are often classed as disengaged or hard to reach and who live within particular

communities in Lanarkshire. The project is operational at key times when young people are most likely to be involved in alcohol and or sub-

stance misuse and associated linked issues including anti-social behaviour.

Annual Highlights Together North and South StreetBase worked with 2,247 targeted individual young people during 2011-12 597 young people were in receipt of the StreetBase educational work in schools. Across Lanarkshire 88 young people were engaged in one to one support 130 Young people referred onto specialist providers Over 15,000 interventions were delivered on the streets of Lanarkshire last year through the StreetBase projects. 80% of young people involved in additional support reported reductions in risk taking behaviour and alcohol consumption 83% of young people attending John Muir Award stated they had significantly reduced their alcohol consumption

Tam Penman

Trading Post

The Trading Post is an educational tool box which encompasses workshops and 6-12 week

education and awareness raising group work sessions. These activities are undertaken on a

voluntary basis by young people and are used to raise awareness, increase knowledge and

offer support. Each Trading Post involves young people attending who have a unique set of

issues and although there are 12 individual units to cover, the units can change and adapt to

the specific needs of the group. The structure of the Trading Post requires that the young

people attend twice per week, there is a group work session midweek and then the group

meet on a weekend night when a Breathalyser test is taken to ensure no alcohol has been

consumed.

Annual Highlights

64 young people have completed the 12 week Trading Post programme across Lanarkshire and all

received certificates of completion

Alternative and Diversionary Activities

These activities have been carefully developed with the goal of minimising alcohol and drug consumption at

key times in the evenings and raising awareness of the issues around alcohol and substance misuse.

Importantly the young people are active throughout the entire process of identifying the particular activity and

the organisation and planning required to allow the activity to take place

Annual Highlights

Approximately 2,200 spaces taken up in activities spaces

510 individual activities were provided

11 young people completed Scottish Professional Anglers Association Courses

16 young people completed the Fire Reach programme

John Muir Award Scheme

The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme which focusses on wild places across our

communities. It encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment, in a spirit of fun,

adventure and exploration. StreetBase has been able to offer young people the opportunity to take part in

this award for many years and always had great feedback. Recently we have utilised Wiston Lodge, near

Biggar to fulfil the challenges of the John Muir Award.

Our aim is to encourage achievement towards certification and recognition of skills and talents that previously have

been hidden or not progressed through lack of opportunity. It is believed that obtaining recognition and awards not

only support the young people currently but could support them in their future working lives.

This year there have been over 30 young people participated in the John Muir Award and gained their certificates.

Youth Advisory Group

The structure of the StreetBase project now includes the Youth Advisory Group (YAG). This group was made up of individual young people who had been engaged with in the activities and who had already established a trusted relationship with the staff. Over the last year, the YAG has become influential within various elements of the StreetBase model.

Annual Highlights

In the last year the YAG have completed their Fire Reach Programme, Intermediate and Discovery Levels of the John Muir Conservation Award and have undertaken team building activity to bond them as a team to represent young people from Lanarkshire.

Participated in the development of a Measurement Tool for youth services which was commissioned

by Lanarkshire A.D.P Took part in the opening address and organising of both The “Big Night In” events as part of South

Lanarkshire’s Safer Streets Initiative.

Football Tournament 2011

StreetBase South initiated and organized a football tournament ‘Stand Against Knife Crime’ and the feedback from the young people has inspired us to make it a yearly event.

The tournament involved, two groups of young people—10-14 year olds and 14-18 year olds with 8 teams taking part in each event. Over 100 young people taking part from all over Lanarkshire.

Trophies and medals were awarded to the winners and runners up of both tournaments. Parents and family members also attended and everyone enjoyed the day. Next year both North and South StreetBase projects will take part.

Events The Big Night In: Major youth events coordinated by StreetBase (Multi Partnerships)

Choices for Life: Major Youth Event: StreetBase coordinated the alcohol/substance misuse marquee

Stand Against Knife Crime 2011 : Event highlighting Knife Crime coordinated by StreetBase

Consultation Event : Partnership Event

Fire Reach

The purpose of the Fire Reach Programme is designed to raise young people’s awareness of the role of the Fire Service and other linked agencies within their community. One of the main aims of the course is to try and change attitudes and perceptions of young people by showing them life skills and responsibilities.

The programme includes the essential elements of first aid, use of operational equipment such as hose and ladders, all within a disciplined environment. Other essential elements of the course are punctuality, good attendance, general appearance and demeanour. We hope to roll out this programme in the coming year and encourage more young people to take part in this certificated course.

Liber8 Health & Leisure Centre

Liber8 recognises that people want to engage in fitness programmes but often the barrier is cost.

Memberships to leisure and fitness facilities can often be costly and is a barrier to people wanting to

stay healthy. To try to combat this issue Liber8 Health & Leisure is a community based health and fit-

ness facility which offers people access to fitness equipment at a low cost.

Our facility has a fully equipped gym area which has a range of cardiovascular,

fixed resistance machines and free weight equipment and saunas are available

in each of the changing rooms. It also has Dance/Aerobics Studio which can be

used for a variety of classes.

Annual Highlights

Membership for Liber8 Health and Leisure has increased this year again. Refurbishment of the office area was undertaken and the public areas were decorated. Tam Penman has now become Head of Youth and Leisure and will take forward the centre into the years ahead.

A new Hydraulic Fitness System, incorporating 9 elements of equipment and an Interactive Dance

Matt System are now available which can be accessed through attendance at the facility or can be

hired out to organisations for special events. As a result of the new equipment various classes and

sessions are now available at low cost to the community.

We also invested in refurbishing two rooms within the facility which increases our capacity to hold meetings and deliver training. In addition these rooms are also available to hire out to agencies, organisations for a range of functions at very competitive rates.

Other Projects and work …

Blood Borne Virus Project

Liber8 Blood Borne Virus Counselling service was established in 2009 to provide a free, community based, confidential service for individuals and families affected by BBV. Family support is also available to those family members who have

concerns or issues about a loved one and BBV. Anyone can access the project, just call Liber8 and speak to staff who are there to help and assist.

Annual Highlights

The Blood Borne Virus project has completed another successful year and as a result we have added another Counsellor to the team. Moving forward we have ambitious plans to take forward the project, identifying hidden populations of people who may not be accessing services due to a variety of reasons. During 2011-2012 the project provided 150 assessments and 728 counseling appointments to people.

Training and Consultancy

Liber8 can offer training and consultancy to individuals in our community, to other organisations and employers. Much of the work carried out

in the past has been around basic awareness raising and advice on support networks available in Lanarkshire.

Volunteers

Liber8 have well established and highly regarded Volunteer Programme which offered a wide range of volunteering opportunities to the

communities of Lanarkshire. We are currently revamping the programme which allow even more opportuntiies than before

COSCA Award Scheme

The Certificate of Recognition, a nationally recognised award for Counselling in Scotland . The award aims to identify and raise awareness of good quality service provision and safe practice. To achieve this Award , Liber8 had to demonstrate evidence under a range of 13 different quality assurance criteria and Liber8 are 1 of only 28 organisations in Scotland awarded this certificate.

Accounts

1-3 Station Road

Blantyre Lanarkshire G72 9AA

Tel 01698 825114

Email: admin@liber8.org.uk

www.liber8.org.uk

Scottish Charity Number : SC 038836

Company Number: SC 331537

Our Funders