Silver Lining Project
Older People and Alcohol Project – The Silver Lining Project
Britain has an ageing population. In 2007, 9.8 million people were aged over 65 but by 2032 this figure is projected to rise to 16.1 million – equivalent to almost one in four of the population. As the population ages so the population of problem drinkers also ages.
DASL established its Older People and Alcohol Project in 2008 in Greenwich and Bexley. For the past three years the project has provided support for older problem drinkers and their families, training for other agencies working with older people, and for substance misuse agencies unused to addressing the needs of older clients. The project has also offered consultancy to a range of agencies, including mental health, substance misuse and housing, who have come across issues related to problematic drinking among the over 60s.
Summer 2011 saw a successful bid from Comic Relief providing the funding for a further three years to continue the project’s development. Silver Lining will continue, providing support, advice, training and consultancy to older residents (over 55 years) of Greenwich and Bexley, along with the professionals who are involved in supporting them.
A new and innovative aspect of Silver Lining will be the recruitment of a team of older peer mentors to be involved in the project. The skills and experience of these volunteers will be an invaluable addition to the support on offer to clients as well as providing further insight into the difficulties and opportunities of older age.
To refer a client, make a self referral, or discuss the project further, please contact Helen Gilbert on:
Email: aop@dasl.org.uk
Tel: 020 8257 3068 or 07920 876 983
Fax: 020 8257 3066
