Development

Alcohol Partnership

Young people, who drink are drinking more. Their weekly consumption has increased and more are engaging in binge drinking (Bradford District Alcohol Treatment Strategy). It is acknowledged that young homeless people are more likely to experience problems with alcohol or other drugs than their counterparts, particularly if they do not have any adult support.

The Alcohol Partnership is a project between Keyhouse and Project 6. Keyhouse provides housing for young people and others with support needs. The project will focus on the hostel and short-term accommodation, which is used by young people aged 16 - 21

Keyhouse therefore proposes to employ a skilled alcohol worker who will be based with them, but supervised by Project 6.

The service will have seven broad aims

• Individual alcohol assessment.
• Group education an prevention training to promote healthier lifestyle choices and to avoid the adverse health and social consequences of binge drinking.
• Individual brief intervention work targeted at hazardous drinkers.
• Targeted outreach support to Keyhouse tenants with alcohol related problems.
• Support and training to the keyhouse staff team to improve their skills and knowledge in respect of working with alcohol using service users.
• The establishment of monitoring and evaluation procedures to track specific outcomes in line with NTA best practice guidance.

Comic Relief confirmed, in June 2006 their willingness to fund this project.