Tag: recovery

A first for Scotland: Recovery on board a canal boat in Edinburgh

On Tuesday (19th November), Joe Fitzpatrick – Minister for Public Health, Sport and Well-being will cut the ribbon and formally launch Scotland’s first canal boat providing services for the recovery community.

The Sorted Project is an Edinburgh charity established in 2008.  In recent years they have been hiring a canal boat on the Union Canal to support men and women in recovery from substance dependency and associated mental health issues.  The success of this work inspired the National Lottery Fund to support the commission of a fully accessible purpose-built canal boat named Panacea.

The service provides a tranquil environment where training and volunteering opportunities are available.

Project Manager Karen Bradford said: “We decided to launch Panacea on this date as it would be a special way to say thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund and to everyone who buys a National Lottery ticket.  

“Activity in recovery is an essential part of being well.  Our work helps to build resilience through being part of a community, being part of a crew and building hope for the future.  Learning to drive and crew a 60ft boat is a powerful way to learn new transferable skills and build self-belief and confidence.

“Funding from the National Lottery Community Fund has enabled us to develop this unique project and we have included people in recovery in not only shaping our work, but also designing the boat.  It’s a tremendous achievement and we are all very proud indeed.”

Tuesday 19th November is a significant date which sees the launch of Panacea and the 25th Birthday of the National Lottery. 

The boat was designed and built by specialist boat builders, Crafted Boats in Stoke Prior near Bromsgrove.  It was transported by road to Sandpoint Marina in Dumbarton.  A Sorted Project crew of 9 including staff, board members, volunteers and participants sailed the boat all the way back to Ratho near Edinburgh.  The journey took 4 days and was a wonderful experience and a great achievement for everyone involved.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “It is a pleasure to launch the Panacea which offers such a unique and enterprising way to help people recover from their substance use and improve their mental health.

“Our drugs strategy challenges services to better meet the complex health and social needs of those who are most at risk and deliver services that address their specific circumstances.

“The Sorted Project is delivering a service which offers individuals the chance to develop their confidence and skills in a tranquil and relaxing setting where they can focus on their recovery.”

The Sorted Project is now delivering this unique service and aims to reach recovery communities along the Union Canal.

The launch event starts at midday with the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 3pm.

www.facebook.com/sortedproject

Emma chooses life to become LEAP’s 500th graduate

leap

A mother-of-two has achieved a major milestone after becoming the 500th graduate of a pioneering drug  and alcohol detox recovery programme. Emma Hogg has battled her addiction to alcohol to successfully complete the Lothian and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP).

Continue reading Emma chooses life to become LEAP’s 500th graduate

Milestone reached as Penumbra wins health award

Penumbra Milestone wins innovation award

penumbra

An Edinburgh service for people with Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD) has been recognised for its innovative approach at this year’s Scottish Health Awards, held in the capital this week. Continue reading Milestone reached as Penumbra wins health award

Carmichael welcomes positive economic report

money-001A report highlighting positive signs for Scotland’s economy has been welcomed by Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael.

The Bank of Scotland’s latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) survey says business activity rose at the fastest rate in six months in July, supporting continued employment growth. It also reports a ‘robust increase’ in overall new business and adds that Scotland’s private sector output increased at a “sharp and accelerated rate”.

The bank’s Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) – a measure of the month-on-month change in combined manufacturing and services business activity – was at a six-month high of 56.8, up for the second straight month from 55.9 in June and 54.0 in May.

Commenting on the latest economic report, Mr Carmichael said: “Today’s PMI report shows that being part of the UK with its larger market, stronger and growing economy and stable currency is creating more jobs and better opportunities for Scotland.

“As we move into the second half of 2014, this report shows that Scottish employment has grown for the 20th straight month. This builds on the encouraging economic signs so far this year, such as reaching a record high in employment, more Scottish women in work than ever before and the UK’s economy being predicted to grow faster than any other G7 economy.

“It is also very encouraging to see a rise in the number of new Scottish businesses. Backing small businesses is a vital part of the government’s long term economic plan. Since 2010, 3,300 entrepreneurial Scots have moved from Jobseekers Allowance to becoming their own boss and since its introduction in April this year, 57,000 Scottish businesses have already taken advantage of our employment allowance.”

Scotland Office