Empowering Service Users |
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Channel is a user-led, organization promoting social inclusion and providing opportunities for people overcoming drug and alcohol issues. Channel is an independent, recognized voluntary organization working with drug and alcohol users and user groups in North Wales. Channel is committed to working in partnership with drug service providers, commissioners and related organizations to improve treatment provision and reduce the negative impact of drug and alcohol use on the health, safety and social wellbeing of individuals and the wider community. |
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Channel works to vocalise the wishes and opinions of clients who have Substance Misuse issues. Channel will do this by becoming the bridge of communication between all, commissioner, provider and user. Aims 1. To raise awareness regarding the importance of service user involvement Objective 1 Channel will hold a weekly forum in which issues will be raised that have been collated from service user who may or may not be involved in local services to gather the common opinion, Channel also raises the importance of the service user vocally feeding back on the services required. Promote service user intervention and play an active role in the delivery of services. Channel does this by attending all relevant meetings, forums, workshops and launches new services, and carrying the common opinion gathered. Relay service user feedback to providers Channel will attend general meetings with Channel ground staff and managers, also have user involvement, strategic plans where there is a structured framework to deliver the feedback that has been gathered. Explore support from various service providers. Channel will look to build relationships with new services or services that channel do not currently have relationships with. Where Channel identify any gaps in service provision Channel will approach providers with an offer to work in partnership towards combating those gaps. Maximise the potential of individuals and groups. Channel treats every individual person as unique and value his/her opinion. By doing this Channel identify common themes/opinions. Channel carries the common opinion in as many relevant place as possible and brings back accurate information to those groups, so that there response/reaction/opinion is as well informed as possible. Increase participation in such initiatives Channel does this by constantly assessing whether there has been any emphasis on service user opinion in all decisions that are being made, or have been made, making certain suggestions along the way. Channel ensures that there is a service user representative on as many relevant meetings as possible. Channel actively encourage service users to become vocal in their care plans and the shaping of the service in which they are involved and other services. Channel also sit on commissioning boards and then feed that back to service users to help them see the positives (change is possible). Assess different 'modules of care' in the local community. Channel assess modules of care to create a working relationship with all organisations, maintain that relationship and be as actively involved as possible interacting with the staff all the way through, whilst also working with service users prior to care, during care and post care. Channel keep an eye on waiting times, amount of current service users accessing care, gaps in service provision, positive outcomes, disengagement, referrals on to other agencies, successful outcomes. To build trust between service users, carers and providers. It is not only for Channel to have/ build trust with users, carers and providers, although this is something that is imperative for Channel's future, but the emphasis is on helping all named parties to achieve this between themselves. So Channel mediates or act as an independent advocate to work towards achieving this aim. To tackle discrimination, stereotyping, stigma and judgemental attitudes. Channel aims to achieve this in all aspects of service provision through out Conwy county within the substance misuse field. It is not only providers we challenge this with. It is not only providers we challenge this with, it is also users. Channel attempts /hopes to achieve trust between all stakeholders within service provisions in Conwy. Other things Channel actively works towards achieving are honesty, open mindedness and empathy. Channel does all these things as constructively as possible. Channel also actively encourages people to explore its own and others official complaints procedures. One of the most important, Channel leads by example. |
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Ben Pagget Channel Website - www.conwychannel.org |
