Drug and Alcohol Service for London

DASL Bexley & Greenwich Service article in the Bexley Times:

Bexley and Greenwich alcohol misuse project looking for volunteers

Reena Kumar, Reporter Tuesday, November 15, 2011 3:14 PM

A project which aims to help residents struggling with alcohol misuse has received over £118,000 in funding from Comic Relief.

The three-year scheme called Silver Lining which is due to run in different locations Bexley and Greenwich will work with residents over the age of 55 offering support and advice sessions.

The charity DASL (Drug and Alcohol Service for London) is looking for volunteers aged over 55 to become peer mentors who will run weekly groups for those experiencing problems due to alcohol use.

Clinical Director Harrinder Dhillon said: “There is a growing recognition of the problems posed by alcohol misuse among older adults. We established our first Older People and Alcohol Project in 2008. For the past three years it has provided support for older problem drinkers and their families, and training for other agencies. The new project, which has received a grant for £118,895 over three years, aims to build on this experience.”

During the scheme, 136 clients used the service with 75 percent reporting an improved quality of life after taking part. A home visiting service will also be offered to those who are unable to travel and the charity is currently taking referrals from social services and other agencies to work with people affected by the problem. It will also provide training for professionals from community mental health teams, care workers and substance misuse workers.

To see the article, including photo of Harrinder Dhillon, follow the link below:

Bexley Times article

Congratulations, Matt!

On 27th November, 2011, Matt successfully completed his 400ft bungee jump challenge. His efforts have raised a tremendous sum of over £2,000 for DASL. To watch a video of his jump on YouTube click here.

Matt's Bungee Jump

Matt is a DASL trustee, and later this month he will be doing a 400ft bungee jump over a quarry in Wales on behalf of DASL.

To read more about his endeavour and donate, go to:
http://www.charitiestrust.org/members_data/event/matt400ftbungee/index.html

"In November I'll be doing a massive 400ft bungee jump over a quarry in Wales on behalf of the charity DASL. This is the highest bungee jump in the UK (100ft higher than the previous highest) and has been set up as a special one-off. I'm setting a fundraising target of £1000. It would be great if I could hit that, and even better if I could exceed it. I'll be paying for the jump and travel myself, so no sponsorship money will be used on expenses. You probably won't have heard about DASL or the work they do, so let me tell you briefly that they are the Drug and Alcohol Service for London, based in Stratford, East London (http://www.dasl.org.uk/). They have been going for over 25 years, providing services for people/families with drug and alcohol problems in the local community. If you could spare a donation large or small, I and the fantastic people at DASL, will be very grateful (in the current economic conditions, individual fundraising like this can make a huge difference). Thanks for taking the time to read this, please be generous and also feel free to ask me for any further info about DASL's work."

Well Done Andy!

Andy successfully completed the New York Marathon and has raised over £1,800 for DASL. Read more about his experience below:

"On November 6th, I completed the New York marathon in a time of 3 hours 34 minutes. I had hoped and trained to run it a lot quicker but things did not go to plan...

The event and everything surrounding it was fantastic, as so many people had told me beforehand. I think this story sums it up: After the race, my friends dragged a miserable me out in the evening to their favourite bar for food and some celebratory drinks. When I followed my friends in, there was suddenly a shout and before I knew it the ENTIRE bar were up on their feet, cheering, shouting, whooping and patting me on the back because I had my finisher's medal on! It happened each time a marathoner entered the bar through the evening. People were stopping me in the street and saying "good job" or shaking my hand. That DOES NOT happen in London after the marathon!!

The downside however, and sadly for me, was the race itself. Race day began well enough with a trip on the Staten Island ferry from Manhattan, past the Statue of Liberty and over to the start line, on a beautiful still, clear and crisp morning. I even enjoyed the first 8 miles of the race itself but after that I hated almost every minute. The crowds were amazing with their cheering and support but as we passed through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan the scenery passed me by as I just gritted my teeth and tried to finish. My shin injury (which had hampered my training in advance) actually held up incredibly well and only started to give me trouble with a few miles to go, although the muscles of both my legs were sore by halfway. But the main problem was my breathing. I don't know why yet, but I struggled to breathe properly and had chest pains that came and went from around the 8 mile mark. Initially I hoped it would pass and my pace was still good (1 hour 27 minutes at halfway) but it just got worse. I couldn't get any air into my lungs and started getting pain in my ribcage around my back. I've never experienced it before and I don't know if it was asthma (which I've never had running) but my guess is that I had some form of virus, chest infection or reaction to an airborne bug/particles. I didn't feel 100% the day after but also not really that bad, so I'm still not sure. By the end I was barely moving and was stopping every mile to try to breathe properly as I just ran out of air altogether. At the end I had nothing left at all and had to be helped over the line, into a wheelchair and whisked into the medics tent! They looked after me really well there for an hour or so before letting me leave.

I can safely say it was the worst running experience of my life - and such a shame looking back that I couldn't enjoy the incredible crowd, scenery and weather more. Maybe when the emotional scars have healed I'll want to go back and do it "properly"... As it was, the only reason I struggled on and on through the last 12 miles was the thought of all the sponsorship raised, support at home and support of Vicky and Simon and Leonie out on the course. However, later that night, the reaction of New Yorkers gave me back my pride in the race and after being incredibly down in the dumps and upset about it, I started to feel much better. I have to remember that it could also have been worse, as I saw 4 different people lying flat out in the road, unconscious, and with medics rushing round - a reminder of what a tough, tough event it is (and perhaps something I had forgotten amidst the desire to run a "fast" time). I certainly will forever remember this race - in one shape or form.

Andy"

Andy's Marathon

Andy is a DASL Trustee - here he writes about how he is helping us raise funding through http://www.sponsor-me.org/andynycmarathon2011.

This November, I am flying to New York to run the marathon. I still have a lot of training to do to get me over the line in the time I want, and running for charity gives me the final incentive to train hard.

I've chosen DASL as my charity. You probably won't know them or the work they do, so let me tell you briefly that they are the Drug and Alcohol Service for London, based in Stratford, East London. Since I moved to that part of the city, I've been helping a little with the charity and seeing the great work they are doing, in the face of difficult economic conditions. They have been going for over 25 years, providing services for people with drug and alcohol problems in the local community. As most of you will be aware, this is a cause close to my heart and if you could spare a donation large or small, I and the fantastic people at DASL, will be very grateful.

This message does read back as a little serious on reflection, so I'll finish on a lighter note.... To help fuel your generosity, I thought I'd make a deal: if you can collectively help me raise over £1500, I will commit to becoming to my knowledge, the first person to "slither", snake-like (many of you know what I mean), across the finish line in Central Park. This will inevitably lead both to shoulder lacerations, and bemusement amongst the New Yorkers, but it would be worth it.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, please be generous and also feel free to ask me for any further info about DASL's work.

Thanks,

The Snake (Andy)

Jewellery Recycling Collection

DASL is a registered charity and we raise funds from a variety of different sources. Each year we need to raise money from donations and fundraising events.

We have come up with a simple way to fund the important work of DASL and are running a jewellery recycling collection. We would love you to have a sort out of your jewellery box and donate the unwanted items towards this appeal. Then all your unwanted items can be turned into a donation for DASL. You can do a full 'spring clean' or just give items you no longer wear. Even damaged, broken and incomplete items will help; odd earrings and broken chains are a great start. Please have a good clear out if you can and don't be afraid of letting valuable items go as all of your donated items will be carefully sifted through before they are recycled.

Please send your unwanted jewellery to us at:

DASL
Capital House,
134-138 Romford Road,
Stratford,
London
E15 4LD

or come in and kindly drop them with our staff at reception. We also have collection envelopes that can be given to friends and family so please do not hesitate to ask.

Donation

On 3rd August 2011 DASL received a generous donation of £5,000 from the Bryan Adams Foundation in memory of Amy Winehouse.

New Training and Education Service

We at DASL are really excited about marketing the SPARK Training and Education Service to all local boroughs starting with schools. Providing them with good quality training that is age appropriate, evaluated and builds in-school knowledge and expertise as we deliver to young people, parents/carers, teachers and support staff. Working to the new Government Drugs Strategy (2010) and within PHSE Education Guidance for Schools (2008) for Key Stages 1-4.

The training encompasses:

As with all SPARK and DASL training and service delivery we offer:

For a quote or further assistance please contact Harrinder Dhillon: harrinderdhillon@dasl.org.uk

Download brochure.

Newham SPARK

On 31st December 2010, the Newham SPARK Tier 2-3 Young People's Substance Misuse Service sadly was closed as result of Central Government and London Borough of Newham funding cuts. This was after serving Newham over 5 years;

We very much hope that this legacy is not lost in Newham. Further information and queries should be directed to:

Stephen Phillpott
Group Manager, Children & Young People's Commissioning
London Borough of Newham
Tel: 020 3373 6742
email: stephen.phillpott@newham.gov.uk

Green fingers at DASL!

Kim Wilson, resident of Anchor House, is volunteering her green finger skills for the urban garden at Drug & Alcohol Service for London (DASL).  Kim has signed up for the course which asks volunteers to make a commitment of  2-3 hours each week to plan, maintain and grow their own fruit and vegetables. Opportunities are provided for training; support from DASL staff and reimbursement of some expenses e.g. travel.

Volunteers do not have to be a service user, have years of experience or any particular qualifications. The project looks for volunteers who have an empathy with the client group and a passion for gardening which they can use to inspire and engage DASL clients.

Garden photo

Kim Wilson and fellow volunteer working at DASL's Urban Garden

Kim said ‘I got involved with the urban garden at DASL because I wanted to do some voluntary work and I am interested in horticulture. I enjoy it a lot, I really like working outside and I feel happy when I am doing something positive. Since I started this volunteer work the Job Centre have found two jobs in horticulture that I am going to apply for, so watch this space!’

If you want to get involved, please phone Michael O’Dwyer on 0208 257 3068.

DASL achieves Investors In People Recognition

We are delighted to announce that, on the 12th May 2010, the Capital Quality Recognition Panel awarded Drug and Alcohol Service for London, the Investors in People Recognition.    

We have achieved this prestigious award in recognition of our commitment to developing the staff team and continually evaluating our practice in order to improve what we do.

DASL has a team of very dedicated staff who are committed to building stronger, safer and healthier communities where everyone has the opportunity to realise their full potential.  We are looking forward to building on our strengths in the coming year.

A big thank you goes to all who have helped DASL achieve this status!

DASL wins Young People's Award in Tower Hamlets

DASL is delighted to announce that the Girls Talk project was the winner in the Recognition of Improving Services for Young People category of the Tower Hamlets Third Sector Excellence Awards 2010. Alesa Rahman collected the certificate and a cheque for ₤500 at the Awards Ceremony held at the Troxy in Tower Hamlets in March.  This project has received wide recognition from schools and from the young women it supports and it is great to see this now extending into a wider arena.

Girls Talk 12 week programme is  delivered to young women in secondary schools. It addresses a range of issues from  identity, culture, taboos, physical and mental health, sexual health, relationships, expectations and roles, to domestic violence and being a carer.

Girl’s Talk was initially aimed at young Asian women. In the past year it has expanded to involve young women from other communities (e.g. Eastern European, African) who face similar issues.

If you would like to know more or would like to establish a Girls Talk (or Boys Talk project) in your school or youth club, please contact us on 0208 257 3068.

DASL Banners

DASL is currently running a drug and alcohol public awareness campaign.
Adverts have been placed in strategic locations all over East London.

Banner photo