Press Releases
Exhibition champions the work of individuals addicted to
alcohol and other drugs
Issued: 20th May 2010
Bath Area Drug Advisory Service has teamed up with the Space at Westbury to showcase art, poetry, sculpture and photography by individuals addicted to alcohol and other drugs.
The exhibition which ran from the 15 – 20 May in the centre of Westbury at the Space Gallery included work from 22 contributors whose lives have in some way been affected by problematic alcohol and drug use. Presented in a professional and engaging way the exhibition aimed to challenge stigma around addiction by focusing on the creativity and skills that the Bath Area Drug Advisory Service clients have.
James Plummer was one of the service users whose work was on show, he said "It was a wonderful experience to take part in this unique exhibition and not only was I very proud of my own contribution but I was proud to be associated with such heartfelt work from other service users. I think anything that can change the negative perception of addicts in the community or perhaps educate people to the actual reality is fantastic and should be encouraged."
The exhibition attracted very positive feedback from visitors including amongst them the Trowbridge Deputy Mayor Clive Blackmore who commented "I enjoyed the exhibition very much and think this is very worthwhile. It’s good to see people turning their lives around in such a positive way."
The Manager of The Space Andy Collett said that "This is just what Westbury needs, a strong exhibition from people in Wiltshire. I am really proud that The Space has been able to host this event".
Kevin McAlpine, Chief Executive of Bath Area Drug Advisory Service said that "the high standard of work on show at this event was testament to how high quality engagement, effective advice, support and treatment can enable people to overcome the negative consequences of problematic drug & alcohol use."
Anyone interested in learning more about BADAS, making a donation or becoming a trustee or volunteer should contact Dan Lyus on 01225 838056.
Deputy Mayor of Trowbridge, Clive Blackmore, with the exhibition organisers (Martin White, Elspeth Varley and Sarah Carr of BADAS).
The exhibition organisers (Martin White, Elspeth Varley and Sarah Carr of BADAS) with Andy Collett and Stella Collett who run The Space and Will Maslin a service user who contributed the music.
Train To Gain’s Major Boost To Local Drugs Advisory Service
Issued: 13th October 2008
Charities thinking of taking positive action to upgrade the skills of their workforce would do well to follow the example of the registered charity, Bath Area Drugs Advisory Service, known as BADAS, which offers practical help to people with drug and alcohol issues across Bath & North East Somerset and Wiltshire.
When the Service needed training for some members of its staff, it contacted the Learning & Skills Council’s Train to Gain initiative, which is delivered in partnership with Business Link – with remarkable results.
Adrian Murphy, Training Co-ordinator at BADAS said
“We had a fairly good idea what we wanted to achieve, but needed to find out what funding might be available and whether there were providers we could call on locally and Train to Gain Skills Broker Stuart Veitch-Edwards offered an extremely positive response on both issues.”
Train To Gain linked the Service to Norton Radstock College, where members of the operations delivery team can now take NVQ 3 qualifications in ‘Health and Social Care’ – at a cost that is actually more than £700 per head below what would have been charged elsewhere. BADAS itself identified a suitable course for their own Management Team and, with Stuart’s help, applied to Train to Gain to cover 50 per cent of the funding.
Train to Gain demonstrates through its free service that investment in employees’ skills and development will pay huge dividends in improved productivity and competitiveness. The scheme also boosts staff confidence, competence and motivation as well as raising employee retention rates.