Brief Insight five: NHS Fife: ADAPT-KY8 community recovery group
Background
Between 2017 and 2019, 44 people lost their lives as a result of drug related deaths in the Levenmouth area with 26 occurring in the town of Methil. Fife Alcohol and Drug Partnership agreed a new set of locality based strategic priorities following extensive analysis, strategic planning, and engagement with people with lived and living experience. Central to their planning was to work with all people to save lives in a non-stigmatising way. They focus on a ‘no wrong door’ approach that helps people access a range of services both universal and specialised in a safe, warm and welcoming space.
Impact
In March 2022, the ADAPT-KY8 community hub opened its doors. It opens one day a week and offers a range of statutory, third sector and lived experience informed services including:
- Naloxone training and supply of kits,
- Blood Borne Virus (BBV) testing,
- Access to harm reduction equipment,
- Housing support, welfare checks,
- Access to Addiction and Fife based Recovery Services,
- Rapid prescribing and onsite mental health support,
- Individual and family support,
- Support to attend other services.
They currently welcome on average 30 people per week and offer around 20 naloxone kits to new and repeat visitors. 30 people have already started treatment from this venue. The atmosphere is informal and relaxed. People attend to have a chat, get a bite to eat, and meet with service providers and professionals to learn more about what is available to them. The hub also runs activities such as snooker, bingo and craft sessions to encourage people to engage and reduce isolation and loneliness. Several people also attend other sessions delivered by services they first discovered at the hub.
Learning
The team at the hub soon realised the importance of a protected space for their population to help them feel safe, heard and respected. They understand how anxious people are when they first attend the hub and their support often starts outside the front door, reassuring people that they are welcome and it is safe to come in. Extensive promotion across the locality is central to the success of the hub.
Top Tips
- Continual consultation where possible with communities and people with lived and living experience.
- Being prepared to adapt and modify service delivery based on peoples’ feedback.
- Identifying and collaborating with partners with the same vision and ethos to build a one-stop shop approach for people.
Next Steps
NHS Fife’s Public Health team are conducting an evaluation of the planning involved with this approach. This will inform future locality based provision in other areas of Fife where its inclusion is required to address inequalities.