BOARD OF TRUSTEES Brian Grice Derbyshire Constabulary. John Lowe Suwelack UK Ltd. Lisa Higginbottom Derby City Council

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1 BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR VICE CHAIR SECRETARY TREASURER MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER Sandra Weightman Ian Oliver Parent Gill Woodward Parent Mark Tomordy Parent Brian Grice Derbyshire Constabulary Gary Major Parent John Lowe Suwelack UK Ltd Lisa Higginbottom Derby City Council Sheila Owen Parent

2 LAUREN S LINK EMPLOYEES PROJECT MANAGER Annette Rodgers FINANCIAL CO-ORDINATOR Jan Birtle PROJECT WORKER Bernadette Pietruszewska SUPERVISOR (Lauren s Shop) Maureen McPhee VOLUNTEERS (Lauren s Shop) Pat M, Rosie, Carol, Paula, Linda, Carole, Louise, Jenny, Alison, Pat D, Jodie, Agnes, Dee, Mark, Paul, Rose, Tom, Lee, Vanya, Lauren, Sabrina, Anne, Jackie, Jake, James, Kieran, Margaret,

3 VICE CHAIR S REPORT Sandra has asked me to do this year s Annual Report for a bit of variation. I view Lauren s Link from 2 different angles, as a past desperate parent, and today a not so desperate parent and Vice Chair From a Parent s view In 2006 my comfortable, boring and slightly blinkered lifestyle changed as a result of my son s extreme and out of character behaviour. It took me and my wife some time to work out that drugs were the reason. After a few phone calls we were referred onto Lauren s Link and we soon made an appointment to see Annette and Bern. We began going to the Tuesday night group, listening to other parents/carers experiences and when major events occurred help was always available by phone or face to face. Our journey involved learning about drugs, the behaviour they caused, coping strategies and target setting. We accepted that it was our son s choice to do what he was doing and that it was not a failing on our part. Our son now has turned his life around, has a flat, a part time job, is a volunteer in the charity shop and has stayed out of trouble. We still attend the Tuesday Group to offer support to parents, partners and grandparents whose stories are all different but all share similar easy to say but difficult to implement coping strategies. Without the support from Annette, Bern, Kim, Jan and all the parents/carers I don t know where I would be now! From a Vice Chair s View Becoming a trustee, then Vice Chair, was a daunting role, but I felt I needed to give something back to Laurens Link for the help I had received. Over the past years we have faced a number of difficult issues and have overcome them with everyone pulling together. It s reassuring that the importance of parents/carers in drug treatment has now been recognised at all levels, with our partners in Derby pioneering some national initiatives. Hopefully, with that recognition some additional funding will follow.

4 Gary assisted by Phillipa (or was it the other way round!) ran another successful Golf day in June with more teams entering than previously. Suggestions from all involved should make future events even more of a success. The charity shop, Lauren s, continues to go from strength to strength raising the profile of Lauren s Link, providing extra income, work experience and responsibility for our children. Thank you to Annette, Bern, Jan, volunteers, funding bodies and fellow board members for all your hard work. The FANTASTIC thing about Lauren s Link is the unconditional respectful way that we deal with clients permeates throughout the whole of the organisation at all levels. Lauren s Link has changed my life and I am PROUD to be Vice Chair. Ian Oliver

5 On a personal note Annette Rodgers, Project Manager Here we are again, another year another Annual General Meeting and my 7 th report, where is the time going? It has been a really positive year for Lauren s Link and of course our little shop Lauren s. In the last report you will have read that we had re-applied for more funding for the Building Bridges project. I am very pleased to report that Lloyds TSB Foundation awarded us another 3 years funding which is a huge relief and will give us chance to really develop the project. Thanks to Bern for her patience and tolerance with what can be at times a difficult clientele. The funding from the Drug Strategy Team (part of Derbyshire Community Safety Partnership) is secure for another year with a roll on contract. However, funding for the year 200/20 will not be increased as the Pooled Treatment Budget is not being enhanced. Of course, if the Government changes then so could the funding. From April 200 funding is to be concentrated on Alcohol treatment so we are looking into the prospect of a partnership with Phoenix Futures for family/carer self help support for those affected by Alcohol. For many years the DAAT have insisted that staff, including myself, have relevant qualifications for the job role of project working with drugs. Taking this on board, myself and Bern have just completed an NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care, which was funded by Leicester College Learning Skills Council. I am currently looking into doing an NVQ Level 4 Management Qualification with Nottingham College.

6 On the social front we organised a day out at Trentham Gardens of which about 30 people came along, a great day was had by all made even better as the sun came out. Gary organised the Annual Golf Day, with more teams joining in this year, another great day which raised , special thanks to Gary and Phillipa for all their hard work and for Pink Plumbing s sponsorship of the day. In October, myself and two Angel s clients were lucky enough to attend a retreat organised by Compassionate Friends. The retreat took place at the beautiful Bosworth Hall where it gave us an opportunity to indulge in our children who had died and share with people who understood what it is like to lose a child. Referrals for Lauren s Link, Angels and Building Bridges have increased with more agencies referring to the project. This is because we have been very proactive in spreading the word about Lauren s Link and its associated sub-projects. However, we cannot remain complacent and need to continue to promote ourselves. Lauren s Charity Shop is still doing well, it doesn t make lots of money but is holding its own. However, donations of clothes etc has slowed down but apparently we are not the only shop for this to happen to, I think it s a sign of the times recession etc. We have, however, been lucky enough to employ Maureen on a part time basis as Supervisor. Maureen came to us from New Deal through Job Centre Plus and as employers we received payments amounting to,500. Thanks to Bern for her continued juggling with the rota, which is no mean feat!!! We currently have 2 regular volunteers manning the little shop. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to say a HUGE thanks to the members of the committee for their commitment and drive, to the volunteers for keeping Lauren s Shop open and a special thanks to Jan and Bern for their continued support and loyalty. God Bless Lauren & Mum xx

7 New Referrals Call Monitoring April 08 - March February March January July August September October November December June May April Number of Calls

8 Drug Used April 08 - March Ketamine Solvent GHB Ecstacy Methadone Over/Counter Heroin/Crack Heroin/Alcohol Cocaine Crack Poly Amphetamine Alcohol Heroin Cannabis/Amphetamine Cannabis/Crack Cannabis /Alcohol Cannabis//Heroin Cannabis Number of Calls

9 Age of User April 08 - March NUmber of Calls Under Over 45

10 Gender of User and Drug April 08 - March Male Female Heroin/Crack Heroin/Alcohol Cocaine Crack Poly Amphetamine Alcohol Methadone Over/Counter Ecstacy Ketamine Volatile Sub GHB Not Known Heroin Cann/Amp Cann/Cr Cann/Alcohol Cann//Heroin Cannabis Number of Calls

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14 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LAUREN S LINK WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR SUPPORT WITH FUNDING AND DONATED MONIES. Community Safety Partnership Drug Strategy Team Mike Murray, Dr Richard Martin Lloyds TSB Foundation for England & Wales Gary Beharrell, Board of Trustees Ian & Amanda Oliver Forester St Spiritualist Church N K Green 8 days a week (calendars) Pink Plumbing Kath Lewis Maria & Lisa Kennedy Lauren s Link Parents Annette s Mum s Funeral Mark & Jill Tomordy Christian Council

15 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LAUREN S LINK WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FOR ALL THEIR TIME AND SUPPORT. Derbyshire Constabulary Steve Holmes, Kate Bowyer, Brian Grice James Sutherland & Staff Bradshaw Clinic Karen Laverick & Staff Phoenix Futures Progress to Work Lesley Asher Lisa Higginbottom Health & Safety & Customer Service Training St John s Ambulance First Aid Training Donna Williams Barker Counsellor Glenda Melville Trainer/Counsellor D.C.A.S Mark Newey, Accountant Derby City Properties Julie Collett Just 30 Ltd Andy Gaucher, Website P B Associates I.T Support To all families who access Lauren s Link and their support with donated monies and fund raising.