Shadow Health Secretary visits DHI

DHI runs a core part of the drug and alcohol treatment service in Bristol, operating three community hubs for addiction help in Southmead, Stokes Croft and Hartcliffe. They also support the family members of people with a substance misuse problem, and provide housing through their social enterprise lettings agency Home Turf Lettings.

Mr Ashworth visited the charity as part of a wider visit to Bristol and because of his interest in alcoholism as a result of his own experience as the child of an alcoholic, which he has spoken out about in the past. Following his and others’ campaigning on the issue, the government last month announced an extra £6 million of investment into services for the children of alcoholics.

Jonathan Ashworth said: "I was pleased to meet some of the dedicated staff and volunteers at DHI in Bristol to hear about the exciting work they’re doing. It’s great that they work in such a community focused way, and I’m delighted to hear they work with the families of those misusing substances alongside the user, as they are too often neglected. Supporting those with addiction problems is a personal priority of mine as an MP and Shadow Health Secretary and I was impressed to visit such an innovative and impressive project helping some of the most vulnerable in society.”

Rosie Phillips, Chief Executive of DHI, said: “I’m so grateful to Jonathan for coming to visit us. We do things differently at DHI, with our services rooted strongly in local communities and with people in recovery playing a large role in helping their peers.

"We have been following Jonathan’s campaigning around support for children of alcoholics very closely at DHI, since we run services for family members as well as for people with substance misuse problems themselves.

“Families are mostly overlooked in drug and alcohol treatment, but they very often carry a heavy burden of caring for their loved one. We have been running a service for families and carers for over a decade now, including our annual Reach Out conference, and in the next few weeks we will be launching an online self-help tool.”

The Reach Out conference will be held this year on 14^th June at the Somerdale Pavilion in Keynsham. For more information, please email events@dhi-online.org.uk.