NetworkMonthly news, views and updates from across Phoenix

www.phoenix-futures.org.uk

Issue 11

Derby County Saved My Life

Over the years Sheffield Community Services have supported individuals across the city in their own tenancies with drug and alcohol problems.

In 2012, one of our old clients (who we helped back in 2009/10) who had made remarkable achievements in his life unfortunately passed away. He was a remarkable young man who had a passion for life and all things music.

His family who he had a great relationship with decided that they wanted to mark his life by fund raising for individuals that found themselves in a position at Christmas in Sheffield as he had

found himself once. They raised over £400.00 and after discussion with his family Sheffield Community Services decided that giving out Christmas boxes to all Floating Support clients, would make the most difference to the most number of people.

We have had a great response from the 61 individuals/families that are supported by the team. All our thanks and our clients thanks go to Paul Turner who the presents where given in his name, and his wonderful family Pauline and Mark Turner and Paul’s friends for fundraising on his behalf.

Inspired FundraisingFor more than ten years, the first thing Jon Fairbrother did when he woke up was fix up a shot of heroin and plunge the substance into his veins to start his day.

Jon Fairbrother is one of 150 recovering drug users who are having their lives turned around by the Active Choices scheme run by the club and the NHS.

In his childhood, he had played football constantly and dreamed of being a professional – but now all he would do was sit for hours, staring at his walls, dazed and lifeless from the drug. Occasionally, he and some friends would go to a house to buy more heroin and he would turn up for shifts at his part-time job to pay for his habit.

But slowly, any thought of football slid from his mind. For more than a decade, this was Jon’s life and he had no idea how to change it. He ended up with Phoenix Futures, a Derby charity which helps people overcome drug addictions. In August last year, he was referred to Active Choices, which is when he started to learn how to live his life after drugs.

The project was set up last year by Derby County in the Community – the football club’s community team, which runs several schemes helping people throughout the city, along with Derby City Council, NHS Derby City and Phoenix Futures.

You may remember from a previous column that staff at HMP Channings Wood held a jam-packed week of events for European Health and Safety Week last year.

We were really impressed with their effort and determination to make the week a success and we weren’t surprised that they were entered for the Recovery innovation award at New Year’s Honours 2013 and they won!! We’d like to congratulate the whole team on this achievement. Particular thanks go to Victoria and

Tracey and the residents of the wing who helped organise some of the events themselves.

The TC wing at HMP Channings wood has shown what can be achieved when you work together and think creatively. Well done!

We’re always looking for new material for Health and Safety Corner! If you feel you and your team have something to celebrate- then please let Ruby Newton know.

Health and Safety Corner

www.phoenix-futures.org.uk

Over the past 40 years a key part of the process of recovery for people engaging with Phoenix Futures’ treatment programmes has been the experience of being part of a closely knit peer group.

Bonds formed over the period when dramatic life changes take place are incredibly strong and maintaining those bonds is often a key factor in a persons continued recovery. By establishing a more formal network of peer support and contact under the Phoenix Futures umbrella we hope to assist people in their continuing journey of recovery.

Phoenix Re:United is a club run by and for graduates of Phoenix Services. There are two categories of membership: Junior and Senior. When you complete a recovery programme you will automatically become a Junior member. Senior membership will subsequently be

awarded at each service’s gradu-ation day events. All previous graduates are automatically eligible for Senior membership. Members have the choice to be as actively involved in the club’s activities as they wish, for example members can support fundraising activities and may wish to contribute to an expert panel providing advice and insight into Phoenix Futures services. Senior Members will also be invited to an annual dinner. Members can keep in touch through our Phoenix Re:United Facebook page and bi-annual newsletter.

Phoenix Futures will provide support to Phoenix Re:United but the club will be run largely by members.

For more information visitwww.phoenix-futures.org.uk/phoenix-reunited/

We are pleased to invite you to take part in the Phoenix Futures 2013 Staff Opinion Survey.

The aim of the survey is to find out what you think about working for Phoenix Futures. Your opinions are very important as they will be used by our Senior Management and Board to review our staff policies and practices. The Survey is completely anonymous, so we hope you can be completely honest in your answers. So if you want to have your say this is your chance!

We want all Employees and Relief Workers to take part. We would also like Volunteers who have been with us for more than 3 months to take part.

The questionnaire should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. Please answer every question. The closing date for completion is Thursday 21st February.

The Survey is really important for us as an organisation, taking part will benefit us all.

If you have any problems or queries, please do not hesitate to contact Zaid Ahmed on 020 7234 9784.

http://cequel2.titaninter-net.co.uk/eSurvey/index.cfm?id=PhoenixFutures2013

Service users in our HMP Holme House service raised £428 pounds for Children in Need.

The prison have matched that with £428 also going to the Childrens Butterwick Hospice in Stockton on Tees.

Children in Need

Phoenix Futures 2013 Staff Opinion Survey

The Executive Team Brief highlights key developments affecting us all. We believe that you should be informed about these topics and we wanted to know your thoughts.

The Executive Team Brief 2012 deadline for feedback was 30th January 2013.

We would like to thank everyone for their prompt replies. Results from the discussion will be released shortly.

Team Brief Update