Crime reduction charity Nacro are launching a new service to help people in Barnsley tackle drug and alcohol addiction. Nacro will be delivering the T4 project, which has been set up because of the pressing need for housing for drug and alcohol misusers in the area.

The centre will use a three-phase approach, residents will progress from intensive around-the-clock support, to independent living.

The programme has been devised together with local service users and by people using similar services in other parts of the country.

The project will support people to beat their addictions, learn life skills, get into education or employment and resettle into the community.

The service users themselves have been involved in the project at every level - from working with the senior architect before he even put pen to paper, to choosing the interior décor.

Throughout the three phases, the same member of staff will work with each service user to ensure continuity. At any one time, 32 people will be supported by the project across the three phases.

The project has been funded by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, Barnsley Supporting People and the Barnsley Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

Patsy Davis, Housing Implementation Manager at Nacro, said: “We are delighted to be delivering this service in Barnsley; our experience in other parts of the country have proved that this model really works. It takes service users on a journey from needing around the clock support, to independent living.”

“The views of the service users have been taken seriously and we will continue to make sure their views are heard as we develop the service. Nacro has a fantastic track record of user-led services and where better to promote this way of working. This project represents our commitment to eradicating the damage that drug and alcohol abuse has on individuals, families and the community”

Joy the chair of b.sum1, a group of service users who have helped develop the project, said: “Having your suggestions and opinions taken into account really makes you feel valued and part of the project.”

“We know it will help people change their lives and we feel privileged that we’ll be living in a building that has been built specifically to meet our needs. It will put structure back into our lives and knowing that professional help is there at the different stages of our recovery is absolutely fantastic"

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