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Giving Children...

Giving Children Somewhere to Turn

Project:  WHAT ABOUT ME? (WAM)

NDS theme:  Young People
Who funds it? DAT funding, Children Fund
Region:  East Midlands (Notts)
Contact Name:  Leonie Williams
Organisation:  Newark Sherwood PCT (NHS)
Tel/email:  01623 659 136    leonie.williams@newarksherwood-pct.nhs.uk

Background to the project
What About Me provide a support and befriending service to young people under 19 in North Nottinghamshire who are affected by the drug or alcohol use of someone else - a parent, a sibling, friend or extended family member. Young people are either self-referred, via outreach work in schools, or come via social services, the LEA or the Youth Offending Team.

The service is tailored to meet the needs of the individual, depending on their age and the nature of the problem. WAM will meet with the young person and their main carer to determine the type of support required: for younger children it may be help in learning basic skills or play, for older children it may be talking, listening or taking a shopping trip or other activity that they may otherwise find difficult.

Where there are child protection issues, WAM become part of the social services core group. If need be, WAM refer the adults to treatment services through their network of partners, but their primary concern remains the welfare of the young person affected by drug or alcohol abuse.

What makes it different
The service is a confidential and safe support scheme specifically designed for young people aged between 8 and 19. It is highly flexible, with support based on the needs of the individual. It deals with children who are affected by drug use not just within their immediate family, but also by friends or extended family members.

Due to an increased demand from younger children, WAM has secured funding from the Children- Fund to expand its operation to include children as young as 5, through the appointment of a specialist to work with 5-13 year olds. It works in tandem with Hetty', a service for adults with drug using family members.

Quotes
-WAM provides some vital quality time for young people affected by someone else' drug misuse. Some need someone to talk to, some need practical help and some just need a person they can trust. We never force young people to talk about their situation - but they almost always do. We can be there to support them and can call in help and assistance if things get worse.-

Last Updated: 29/07/2003

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