Health and social care provider, Turning Point, has been awarded the contract by Bristol City Council to lead Horizons: Bristol’s Drug & Alcohol Partnership in partnership with Bristol Drugs Project (BDP) and seven other local organisations; The Nelson Trust, Hawkspring, One 25, Southmead Development Trust, Southmead Project, Wellspring Settlement, and Release.
Turning Point and BDP will combine their expertise in reducing the harm associated with substance use and providing high quality drug and alcohol treatment, with specialist interventions provided by their partner organisations, to offer a wide range of services under one umbrella.
Over the past few months, the partners have engaged with over 300 people in the community to understand what they want from a new drug and alcohol partnership brand in Bristol. A new website www.HorizonsBristol.co.uk, along with a single number to call 0300 555 1469, together provide a single point of access for anyone in Bristol who is looking for information or support relating to drugs and alcohol.
Through this service, Bristol residents will have access to support whether they want to stop using drugs and alcohol entirely, reduce their use, or learn how to be safer. The team will provide a wide range of healthcare interventions and counselling, as well as advice and support related to employment and housing.
Dedicated teams will be available to support women involved in sex work, people who have experienced trauma, clients in contact with the criminal justice system, people who are homeless and friends and family members of people struggling with substance use.
The Horizons youth team will be dedicated to working with young people who want support, information, or advice about drugs or alcohol.
Christina Gray, Director of Communities and Public Health at Bristol City Council, said: "Horizons represents a new, integrated approach to supporting people affected by drug and alcohol use in Bristol. By working closely with our expert partners and listening to the voices of the community, we have created a service that is accessible, inclusive, and tailored to the needs of our residents. This partnership will not only provide vital treatment and harm reduction services but also address the wider challenges people face, such as housing, employment, and mental health. Our goal is to ensure that everyone in Bristol has the opportunity to live healthier, safer lives, and Horizons is a crucial step towards achieving that."
Councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the public health and communities committee at Bristol City Council, said: "The launch of Horizons: Bristol’s Drug & Alcohol Partnership marks a significant step forward in ensuring that everyone in our city has access to the support they need with their addiction.
“By bringing together expert organisations under one umbrella, this new service will provide a more integrated and accessible approach to tackling substance use. Whether someone is looking for treatment, harm reduction advice, or wider support with housing and employment, they will be able to find it through a single point of contact. This partnership reflects our commitment to improving health and wellbeing across Bristol.”
Nat Travis, national head of service for substance use at Turning Point, said: “We are excited to build on the work drug and alcohol service providers have done to support people in Bristol.
“For over 60 years, Turning Point has embraced clinically led, evidence-based support that gives our service users a pathway to recover from substance use.
“We look forward to working with BDP and our seven other local partners to deliver a more equitable service that supports people to make positive changes to their lives and improve their health and well-being.”
Lydia Plant, chief executive at BDP, said:
“BDP have been proudly supporting the people of Bristol around their drug and alcohol use for the past 39 years focusing on reducing the harms people face and championing the needs of people who use our services.
“We can't wait to bring our wealth of local expertise to the new Horizons partnership, alongside a range of inspiring and committed partners, working together to keep the people of Bristol at the heart of what we do.”
There will be a new city centre hub at No. 10 Brunswick Square, next door to BDP’s existing base at No. 11., with service hubs also located at the Greenway Centre on Doncaster Road, and on Symes Avenue in Hartcliffe. Each hub will be expanded so that all services are available at each location.
Horizons are also working to finalise satellite locations where some services will be delivered at specific times.
Everyone supported by Horizons will have access to the full range of interventions from day one. This will mean that programmes such as needle exchange, which is currently only available in the city centre, will be available at all service hubs.
Within the first six months of the contract, the full range of clinical interventions, such as wound care, vaccinations, blood-borne viruses (BBV) testing, will also be available at all service hubs.
Acer Unit
Bristol City Council are working with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) to resolve the future of the NHS in-patient detox centre, the Acer Unit, at Southmead Hospital which serves people from across the country.
The council will continue to fund four beds at Acer for the foreseeable future.
Whatever AWP’s final decision, Bristol City Council will work with Horizons to ensure people in need of detox will be able to choose the service that best meets their particular needs from a number of residential and community-based options.
ENDS
Media Contact
For more information please contact: Sarwar Alam, Media Manager, Turning Point [email protected] 07786938601
Notes to editors
- If you are worried about your own or someone else’s drug or alcohol use or you just want some information you can find out more at www.HorizonsBristol.co.uk or call the service on 0300 555 1469
- Turning Point is one of the UK’s leading health and social care providers. From detox treatment to supported living, its services help people tackle substance use and mental health issues, and those with learning disabilities lead independent lives. For more information, please visit www.turning-point.co.uk. Over 190,000 people are supported by Turning Point services in over 300 locations around the country.
- Bristol Drugs Project (BDP) is a charity providing harm reduction and treatment services for people who are experiencing a negative relationship with drugs and/or alcohol. With 36 years of experience, our goal is to support people towards the changes they want to see in their lives no matter what they may be. We strive to support all members of our city in an open and inclusive service and are passionate about challenging the stigma faced by people who use drugs and alcohol wherever we see it.
- The seven other organisations that Horizons will work with are:
- The Nelson Trust: A charity based in the southwest that provides support for individuals affected by substance use and multiple disadvantages. Services include trauma-informed residential rehabilitation and a number of women’s centres across the region.
- Hawkspring: A specialist drug and alcohol recovery charity based in the community of Hartcliffe and Withywood in Bristol. The charity, which comprises HAWKS (Hartcliffe And Withywood Kick Start) and KWADS (Knowle West Against Drugs), was set up by parents of adult children with addiction issues.
- One 25: A Bristol charity which reaches out to women who do sex work on the street - providing support to move from crisis and trauma towards independence in the community.
- Southmead Development Trust: A charity which works to improve health, wellbeing, local pride, and employment; connect residents and groups to target social isolation; and bring business and investment to the local area in Southmead and neighbouring areas. The Trust manages the Greenway Centre and The Ranch, providing community spaces for young people, adults, families, community groups.
- Southmead Project: Provides free counselling and support for survivors of abuse and addiction across Bristol and surrounding areas.
- Wellspring Settlement: An organisation created when Wellspring Healthy Living Centre and Barton Hill Settlement came together. It provides a wide range of services and activities from two centres in Barton Hill including health, fitness and wellbeing, information and advice and family support with the aim of improving quality of life of local people and promoting community cohesion and engagement.
- Release: The UK’s centre of expertise on drugs and drug laws. It provides legal support, representation and drugs advice to people with a history of drug use or who are impacted by drug laws. It also campaigns for evidence-based drug policies founded on principles of public health and human rights, seeking to reduce the harms faced by people who use drugs.