Open day to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol

An open day is being held in Bury during Alcohol Awareness Week to showcase the services available to families affected by problematic alcohol use.

A range of professionals will be there to advise and help to break the cycle of silence and stigma that is all too often experienced by families.

The open day will be held on Thursday 16 November from 11am to 3pm at The ORB, Old Courthouse, Tenterden Street, Bury.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Alcohol use can have devastating consequences not only for individuals but also for those closest to them. Relationships can become very strained with parents, siblings, spouses and children often profoundly affected by a loved one’s alcohol addiction, with children often being referred to as the forgotten victims.”

The Bury event is open to everyone and will include free refreshments and interactive and educational stalls.

Organisations which will be attending include:

• Bury Lifestyle Service: a free personalised service supporting people to improve their health: 0161 253 7554.

• EarlyBreak: the Holding Families team, support families affected by parental drug, substance or alcohol use: 0161 723 3880.

• Police Strive team: a team of skilled police staff based at Bury Police Station working with the victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse incidents: 0161 856 8113.

• One Recovery Bury: support Bury residents in recovering from substance misuse and provide advice relating to hepatitis C and other blood-borne viruses: 0161 253 6488.

• The Bury Directory: one-stop information point for advice, support, activities, services and more: www.burydirectory.co.uk

• Communities in Charge of Alcohol: A volunteer-led initiative offering residents the opportunity to train as alcohol health champions and make a real difference in local communities.

• LGBT Foundation: a national charity delivering a wide range of services to lesbian, gay and bisexual and trans communities: 0345 330 3030.

• WHAG: Housing related support for women and men who have fled domestic abuse: 0161 761 5266

The most recent data indicates that deaths from alcohol-related conditions have continued to rise in Bury. In addition, hospital admissions for alcohol specific conditions are higher than the England average.

Lesley Jones, Bury’s director of public health, said: “The harm caused by alcohol is not always obvious and may show up in the behaviour of our children, in our ability to achieve in education or work, or in the amount of money we have to spend on healthy food or heating our homes. This event is a great opportunity for residents and professionals to come along and find out more.”

For more information about Alcohol Awareness week 2017, go to https://burydirectory.co.uk/AAW2017or https://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/alcohol-awareness-week

Or join the debate on Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtag #AAW2017

ENDS

Press release issued: 7 November 2017.

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