Family Recovery in Newham

Adfam’s “Building Family Recovery” Project in the London Borough of Newham was funded by Big Lottery and focused on “Strengthening relationships through positive family communication.”

This project concluded in September 2019, the information below outlines the project’s different strands. 

Parent affected by a loved one’s substance misuse.

Training workshops offered for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. A young person may have a big family network, and it is important to support them. The workshops can be around confidence building, coping strategies, and communication skills. There can also be practical workshops such as healthy eating on a budget, where you will have the opportunity to cook a quick, healthy meal and learn about the benefits of healthy eating.

Co-production with parents/carers a key part of this project – working together, offering support, developing skills and strengthening relationships.

Young person aged between 11-16 years affected by a parent’s substance misuse.

Working with young people to create a youth club that young people can freely express themselves in a safe environment. This can be through art, music, drama and photography, with the opportunity to have their work displayed in an exhibition.

Further opportunities for young people to create their own opportunities. This could include speaking out about the challenges young people go through, what support is missing and needed, writing poetry, learn about public speaking, engaging with local councillors/MPs.

Professionals working with families affected by substance misuse.

You may be a teacher, support worker, social worker, or councillor working with families affected by substance misuse. Important to build partnerships and and encourage professionals to spread the word and refer parents, carers and/or young people affected by substance misuse. We want families to be confident, resilient, and encourage them to access local services for help and support.

Worked closely with professionals to hear about their experiences, helping identify how families can be supported, and how we can work together to break down barriers, and encourage families to feel less isolated and more involved in their community.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs produced its report of the inquiry into children of problem drug users: Hidden Harm in 2003. The report highlights the serious consequences of parental substance misuse on children and young people. It is estimated that there are between 250,000 and 350,000 children of problem drug users in the UK, whilst as many as 2.5 million children and young people live with a dependent drinker.

In Newham during 2015-16 there were 695 hospital admissions that were due to drugs and 5,060 hospital admissions for alcohol misuse.

Parental problem drug use (and alcohol misuse) can cause serious harm to children at every age, from conception to adulthood.