By Peter Mclachlan, Simon Community Scotland
In this blog, Managed Alcohol Porgramme Service Lead Peter Mclachlan from the Simon Community Scotland shares his experience of working at Scotland’s first MAP and how the staff and service users continue to inspire him.
Simon Community Scotland introduced Scotland’s first Managed Alcohol Programme (MAP) in 2021. Our ten bedroom trauma- informed service’s aim and objective is to support homeless men who are alcohol dependent, men who have experienced various attempts at other treatments and do not wish to stop drinking.
The service has been designed to a very high level that ensures the men live in a comfortable and stress -free environment. The MAP service offers a creative and innovative way of helping the men that we support to drink less harmful and hazardous amounts of alcohol, whilst at the same time engaging with primary care services in looking after their health needs.
Our evidence-based Harm Reduction approach has given the people that we support the opportunity to;
- live in a place that they call home
- control their alcohol intake through an agreed alcohol plan with support from our team
- engage with a range of primary care services that improves health and wellbeing
- eat on a regular basis
- participate in a range of activities including music tuition and digital inclusion
- reconnect with family and friends
All in a place where they feel safe.
The service provides alcohol in regulated doses throughout the day, alongside wider support for housing, physical/mental health, welfare, and social connections to provide individuals with support to reduce the harms associated with their drinking, without the need to stop drinking.
We work in collaboration with the Scottish Government, NHS, Stirling University, Health Improvement and Voluntary Organisations in breaking down barriers, reducing alcohol-related harm and improving the quality of experience and lives for the people that we support. This partnership working is crucial in supporting the excellent work that we do and I believe that together we can continue to make a difference.
Our incredible hardworking, committed and passionate team ensures that the men’s hopes, dreams and aspirations are met. They have been an inspiration to myself in the way they “go that extra mile” for the men and how they actively respond to their needs in a person- centred way. For example, staff take alcohol to the men’s room at an agreed time.
Working together helps break down barriers, empowers the men that we support in a dignified, compassionate, respectful and inclusive manner.
Over the last year I have been inspired by the way the team provides expert care to the most excluded individuals in our society. They have and continue to show leadership in their daily practice by making the MAP service a truly creative and innovative service. We have recently supported the men on a day out to Largs. For some of the men this was the first time they had ventured out of Glasgow.
“I am enjoying my time at the service. If I am going through a difficult time, staff are always there to help and support me. I have never had this kind of support that staff do listen to me and understand what I have been through.”
Service user.
“Supporting the men and seeing how well they are doing makes me feel that we are making a difference. It’s amazing to be involved in the service”
Staff Member.
.
In our first year since the introduction of the MAP service, the evidence of what we have achieved so far has been overwhelming. We have helped reduce: A&E admissions, alcohol consumption, street drinking, antisocial behaviour, the financial cost to our services, alcohol withdrawals and seizures. In addition, we have improved the quality of life of the people that we support and reduced the feelings of stigma, isolation and marginalisation.
I have been inspired by the way that we have addressed the inequalities caused by alcohol dependence, homelessness and stigma.
I believe that we are only just starting out on our MAP journey as there is so much learning, reflections and discussions still to take place on how we work together in celebrating our achievements.
At the same time we must look at the wider picture and determine how we can meet the unmet needs of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities and address the harms caused by alcohol as well as the lack of service provision for individuals who are alcohol dependent and wish to continue to consume alcohol.
It is a privilege to be part of Simon Community Scotland and the amazing work that we carry out on a daily basis as our vision, values and beliefs are embedded in our practice.
“I used to drink about two litres of vodka a day, since moving into the MAP service I am now drinking less than a bottle per day”
Service user.
SHAAP Blogposts are published with the permission of the authors. The views expressed are solely the authors’ own and do not necessarily represent the views of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP).