Pictured (left to right): Gary Gemmell (Capital Card Manager), Max Griffiths (Service Manager) and Rick Rutkowski (Recovery Communities Coordinator) from our Via – New Beginnings in Brent service.

The DDN (Drink and Drugs News) service user conference took place this year on 11 July in Birmingham, and our Via colleagues from Brent, Cheshire West and Chester, and Surrey hosted a stall. 

This annual event provides an invaluable and inspirational space for sharing knowledge, fostering partnerships, and highlighting essential services and programmes offered across the UK. 

Max Griffiths, Service Manager at Via – New Beginnings – Brent, said: “This year’s theme was ‘Together Stronger,’ and we attended alongside Brent’s Service User Council, B3. B3 ran a session at the conference, showcasing the impactful work they do in Brent, including their collaboration with our New Beginnings team to deliver a peer-to-peer naloxone programme.” 

 Max continued: “Our Reintegration Coordinator, Andreas Kavalierou also attended with boxing gear, demonstrating our innovative and inspiring GLOVES programme to attendees.” 

Our stall featured a variety of initiatives and topics, including the Via Capital Card, the Re-new enhanced brief intervention programme, and our upcoming women’s detox facility in Gloucestershire. Visitors were also invited to participate in a survey on improving service collaboration. 

Max concluded by saying: “Overall, the day was a fantastic opportunity to hear from guest speakers and engage with other providers and companies in the field.” 

Andreas Kavalierou, Reintegration Coordinator, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the DDN conference with Via colleagues – connecting with others in the field and being able to talk with pride about the work Via does.” 

Peer mentors, volunteers and people who use our service in Redbridge who attended told us that they felt very lucky they were invited and they felt “inspired and blessed.” 

Another peer mentor said that “It was a lovely experience and very educational.” 

Dave Targett, Area Director at Via, said: “It was great to attend the DDN Conference, to hear from the speakers, see some exciting work being presented and to be able to talk about the delivery of our own commitment to the theme of the conference. Via strongly believes in the importance of working together with all stakeholders, and most importantly our clients, to provide the best health and wellbeing support to as many people as possible, helping them to change their lives for the better. There will be a number of exciting initiatives focussed on working together with our clients coming in the future. If this is something of interest, please do reach out.” 

About B3

B3 aims to raise awareness of drug and alcohol issues through information and education, provide a voice and support for service users, and improve services in Brent through community feedback, partnership work, training, and service user involvement. Established in 2008 as a small service user group, B3 has grown significantly, eventually running courses, conducting outreach and education, and setting up BSAFE, a weekend service, in 2010.

About GLOVES

The GLOVES programme is a 6-week initiative using boxing skills to aid recovery through boosting responsibility and resilience. It features two sessions each week: a group strategy session and a one-to-one boxing session with a personal GLOVES trainer. The programme helps build and sustain a winning mentality, improve fitness, and develop a personal plan for sustained recovery. Through boxing, GLOVES offers new strategies and a fresh perspective on overcoming challenges, ensuring continuous support and motivation.

Our Harrow collagues and partners.

To mark World Hepatitis Day, we’re delighted to announce that Via – Harrow has successfully maintained its Hepatitis C micro-elimination status at the 6-month mark!

Harrow was our first service to achieve micro-elimination and now leads the way again by redeclaring its status, as of May 2024.

A massive shoutout to everyone involved, especially to our clinical team and BBV champion, for their critical roles in this achievement.

Also a special thank you to our incredible recovery practitioners, who tirelessly carry out dry blood spot tests for those beginning their treatment journey with us, working to ensure no one is left behind.

Dr. Vivienne Gosnell, Clinical Lead at Via – Harrow said: “We are thrilled to announce achieving Hepatitis C micro-elimination in Harrow again at the 6-month mark. Regular meetings and data sharing ensured no testing opportunities were missed, and close cooperation with Northwick Park hospital infectious diseases unit and Hepatitis C Trust peers helped reach those not attending the service. Successful Hepatitis C treatment prevents severe health complications and transmission, and we extend our gratitude to everyone involved for their hard work and dedication.”

Marlon Freeman, National Hepatitis C Coordinator at Via said: “Huge congratulations to the entire Harrow team for this outstanding achievement. Your dedication and hard work are making a real difference to the community. We are excited Via is adding to the success of NHS England’s goal of meeting Hepatitis C elimination by 2030. Here’s to many more milestones ahead!”

Our Merton colleagues.

We’re excited to announce that our Merton service has successfully reached the impressive milestone of Hepatitis C micro-elimination! 

NHS England and Via are aligned with achieving micro-elimination in our services to aid in the World Health Organisation target of elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. 

Hep C is a blood borne virus which, left untreated, can cause liver cancer and liver failure. It usually displays no symptoms until the virus damages the liver enough to cause liver disease. People who inject drugs are at the highest risk of becoming infected. 

As of May 2024, our team in Merton has reached the following targets with the people who use their service: 

• 100% of those in treatment have been offered a Hep C test 

• 100% of people who currently inject or have previously injected have been tested for Hep C 

• 90% of individuals who currently inject or have previously injected have been tested in the last 12 months 

• 90% of people who were diagnosed with Hep C at the service have started treatment 

By meeting these targets, we’re proud to report that Via – Merton has formally achieved Hep C micro-elimination! 

In partnership with Gilead Sciences, The Hepatitis C Trust, staff and volunteers at all our Via services have been working tirelessly to promote testing and treatment with the people they work with, on their journey to micro-eliminate Hep C, and we hope to be able to continue the announcements of more micro-elimination wins! 

Russel Styles, Director of Public Health London Borough of Merton said: “Merton is committed to eliminating hepatitis C as a major public health threat by 2030 in line with the UK target. It is very positive that Via are making excellent progress in this endeavour. 

With modern treatments it is usually possible to cure this infection and most people with it will have a normal life expectancy. I therefore strongly encourage the uptake of Hepatitis C testing and then treatment when this is offered.” 

Alex Hatfield, Service Manager at Via Merton said: “I am delighted to hear that the Via Merton service have achieved our target of Hep C micro-elimination. Our clinical and non-clinical staff have worked hard to ensure this goal was accomplished. 

“Importantly, with the medical advances in this field in recent years, highly successful treatment options with few if any side effects, are now available. It has only been through a thorough testing programme at Via Merton, that we could refer people who use our services on for these treatments to improve their quality of life, and thus reduce the risk of infection from this disease in the wider public domain. 

I would therefore like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all the staff that took part in this programme.”  

Tom Sackville, Executive Director of Services said: “We are absolutely delighted to have reached this hugely important milestone in Merton. The team and partners have worked really hard to make sure Hepatitis C information, testing and treatment is readily available and accessible to all who use our services. This has made a really positive difference to people’s health and lives. The achievement of Hep C micro-elimination is something Via Merton is really proud of.” 

Ben Lander, Peer Lead at The Hepatitis C Trust said: “I am very proud of all we have managed to accomplish together at Via Merton, the effort that everyone has put into spreading awareness of Hepatitis C, and getting closer to our ultimate goal of eliminating Hepatitis C by 2030.” 

Laura Letham, Clinical Nurse Specialists – Viral Hepatitis at St. Georges Hospital said: “Reaching this point of micro elimination at Via Merton has been a team effort. At times this has been challenging, but it gives me great pleasure to know that the clients have received the treatment they need despite the obstacles they may face. Hep C trust peer lead Ben Lander has been invaluable in this process and his testing sessions have undoubtedly helped to get Via over the line. We have established a strong working relationship with Via Merton which I hope will continue as we evolve our services.” 

Marlon Freeman, National Hepatitis C Coordinator at Via said: “Via Merton has worked tirelessly to provide testing, education, and resources for blood-borne viruses (BBVs) to people who use our services. Our team has collaborated closely with The Hepatitis C Trust and the Hepatology team at St George’s Hospital to conduct numerous testing events, which have been crucial to our success. We are committed to continuing our efforts towards Hepatitis C micro-elimination, making it a fundamental part of our harm reduction services and promoting healthier lives.” 

Pictured (left to right): Roma Dooley, Assessment and Engagement Worker, Via – New Beginnings and Alison Cheshire, Smoking Practitioner, Brio Leisure.

Via is partnering with Brio Leisure to provide Swap to Stop for people who attend Via’s drug and alcohol support service in Cheshire West and Chester, New Beginnings.

This new partnership aims to tackle smoking among those in drug and alcohol treatment across the county, by empowering people to quit smoking and lead healthier lives through the national government vaping scheme, Swap to Stop.

In 2022, there were approximately 25,700 people in Cheshire West and Chester who were smokers, around 9% of the local population.

When it comes to people accessing drug and alcohol support, this percentage is significantly greater. In 2022-2023, about 49% of the people accessing drug and alcohol treatment services in England reported smoking tobacco in the 28 days before they started treatment.

As a result of the clear need that these figures illustrate, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Brio Leisure secured funding to deliver the Swap to Stop scheme for this vulnerable group of people.

The support is tailored to the needs of people who attend drug and alcohol services, and will encourage individuals to believe in, and take ownership of, their capacity to make positive changes in their smoking habits and help them to take the initial steps towards quitting smoking by transitioning to vaping.

Those who are eligible will receive a refillable, 4-week vape starter pack along with educational resources and support materials direct from their local Via drug and alcohol support service.

Professor Helen Bromley, Director of Public Health at Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “Two in three people who smoke will die as a result of their tobacco use. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable heart disease, stroke, cancers and respiratory illness.

The number of people smoking is particularly high among those being treated for alcohol and drug addiction. This programme aims to support individuals to quit smoking through partnership working and targeting those residents most in need of support.

We want to help all residents in the borough to be resilient and able to live their best lives.”

Dave Targett, Area Director at Via said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer this intervention in partnership with Brio. It is so very important to make the most of every contact we have with the people who use our services, to support them to establish healthy and happy lives. This programme will help us to do that, and the joint working is a credit to all involved.”

Matt Parker, Managing Director at Brio said “Brio is thrilled we have been able to collaborate with Via on the launch of Cheshire West’s ‘Swap to Stop’ programme. This partnership is a significant step forward in our mission to reach individuals who might not traditionally access our community-based wellbeing programmes. By joining forces, we are committed to making a profound impact in our local communities and strengthening health outcomes. Together, we can support and empower more people to lead healthier lives.”

About Via

Via is a leading health and wellbeing charity that supports people to transform their lives for the better and helps them to manage their health and wellbeing independently. Providing safe and effective treatment and care around alcohol and drugs, mental health, smoking cessation, sexual health and employment support, Via supports thousands of people every year across the UK.

For more information about Via, visit www.viaorg.uk or contact communications@viaorg.uk.

For more information about Via’s New Beginnings service in Cheshire West and Chester, visit https://www.viaorg.uk/services/cheshire-west-and-chester-new-beginnings/.

About Brio Leisure

Brio Leisure is a Community Interest Company established in May 2011. We’re wholly owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council (Shareholder), a company limited by guarantee.

As the largest provider of leisure and wellbeing services across the borough, we have a shared vision with our shareholder to make leisure accessible, affordable and attractive to the people of Cheshire West and Chester, with the ultimate aim of supporting health and wellbeing improvements for residents and communities across our borough. Visit www.brioleisure.org or search ‘Brio Leisure’ on social media for more info.

For more information about our Smoking Cessation Programme, visit: www.cheshirechangehub.org/services/quit-smoking or call 0300 777 0033.

From left to right: Annie Miller, Liz Ayres, Sharon Cooper, Teresa Aspden (team members from Via’s Northwich hub) and Ryan’s father, Steve Green

We’re really proud to share that family and friends of one of the people supported by our New Beginnings service in Cheshire West and Chester are raising funds in his memory.

In honour of their beloved son, cousin, and friend, Ryan Green, whose life was tragically cut short due to mental health and substance use, the Green family are gearing up to participate in the Ford-sponsored RideLondon-Essex 100 mile bike ride on 26 May 2024. Ryan’s father Steve, cousin Chris, and friend and colleague Kevin are taking part in the remarkable challenge to fundraise for Via.

Via’s Northwich hub provided vital support to Ryan, offering support and guidance throughout his journey. The service is also providing ongoing support to the family through their family and carers group.

Drug, alcohol and mental health issues are often misunderstood, and the need for support continues to increase. The Green family, deeply aware of this reality, is determined to make a difference in Ryan’s memory by raising awareness and funds for Via.

This mission is made possible with the generous support of Regit.cars and Electric Glue, the main sponsors of the bike ride. The Green family and their team are grateful for every contribution, big or small, as they pedal towards their fundraising goal.

Dave Targett, Area Director at Via said: “I know Ryan’s death has been felt deeply by his family and friends who loved him very much. By taking this opportunity to raise awareness of the complex support needs associated with substance misuse, they are doing a great thing, and they remind us that society has a responsibility to care for those who need help.

I give my very deepest condolences, not only to Ryan’s family but to every person affected by the death of a friend or family member, and my thanks to Ryan’s family and their sponsors for helping us to continue to support those with similar challenges in life.”

For those wishing to support the Green family’s fundraiser for Via, donations can be made through their fundraising page here.

About Via

Via is a leading health and wellbeing charity that supports people to transform their lives for the better and helps them to manage their health and wellbeing independently. Providing safe and effective treatment and care around alcohol and drugs, mental health, smoking cessation, sexual health and employment support, Via supports thousands of people every year across the UK. For more information about Via, visit www.viaorg.uk or contact communications@viaorg.uk.

The Reach is Via’s new Capital Card partner.

We are pleased to announce that Via has teamed up with The Reach, an indoor climbing wall, to offer exciting climbing experiences to the people that they support, through the Capital Card.

The Capital Card is an award-winning reward card scheme which empowers and rewards people for attending appointments, participating in groups, and getting health and wellbeing support at Via. They can then spend their points on a range of products and activities in their local community, such as the cinema or gym.

The Reach Climbing Wall, located in south London and local to our service in Greenwich, is a fantastic space for beginners to learn and for experienced climbers to excel. Users of the Capital Card across all Via-led services will be able to exchange points for climbing wall sessions led by an instructor. There will also be a reduced entry fee at off-peak times for those who wish to use The Reach outside of group events.

Hakon McEvilly, at The Reach said: “We are incredibly excited and proud to be working alongside Via to provide climbing experiences for their service users. Climbing is proven time and time again to have massive benefits on not only physical health, but mental and emotional health too. The Reach is a welcoming environment, and we believe that Via’s service users will get so much out of being here with our instructors, or independently if they wish. It is a privilege for us to be supporting people in our local community, and we’re looking forward to joining peoples’ journeys via the power of climbing!”

Gary Gemmell, Capital Card Manager at Via said: “We are excited to announce our partnership with The Reach Climbing Wall, where we aim to cultivate climbing experiences that go beyond mere physical activity, nurturing holistic wellbeing. With The Reach’s inclusive atmosphere, this will provide a welcoming sanctuary for our Capital Card users to flourish, whether under their expert guidance or through independent exploration. This collaboration marks the beginning of an exhilarating journey toward transformation, and we can’t wait to embark on it together.”

About Via

Via is a leading health and wellbeing charity that supports people to transform their lives for the better and helps them to manage their health and wellbeing independently. Providing safe and effective treatment and care around alcohol and drugs, mental health, smoking cessation, sexual health and employment support, Via supports thousands of people every year across the UK. For more information about Via, visit www.viaorg.uk or contact communications@viaorg.uk.

For more information about the Capital Card®, visit: capitalcardrewards.com.

About The Reach

The Reach Climbing Wall has been a staple of the climbing community in London since January 2010. A not-for-profit organisation, its main purpose is to bring the sport of climbing to the people with a range of price plans and membership offers, as well as discounted rates for schools and charity groups. The Reach offers a fantastic space for beginners to learn and for experienced climbers to excel. It has some of the best Bouldering, Auto-Belay, Top-Roping and Lead Climbing routes, with all

the facilities required for a great day of climbing. For more information about The Reach visit their website: www.thereach.org.uk.

Some of our Brent colleagues and partners.

We’re thrilled to announce that our New Beginnings service in Brent has successfully reached the impressive milestone of Hepatitis C micro-elimination! 

NHS England has a target to eliminate the virus by 2025 and Via services are aiming to do this in their local areas as well. 

Hep C is a blood borne virus which, left untreated, can cause liver cancer and liver failure. It usually displays no symptoms until the virus damages the liver enough to cause liver disease. People who inject drugs are at the highest risk of becoming infected. 

As of February 2024, our team in Brent has reached the following targets with the people who use their service: 

• 100% of those in treatment have been offered a Hep C test
• 100% of people who currently inject or have previously injected have been tested for Hep C
• 90% of individuals who currently inject or have previously injected have been tested in the last 12 months
• 90% of people who were diagnosed with Hep C at the service have started treatment

By meeting these targets, we’re proud to report that Via – New Beginnings – Brent has formally achieved Hep C micro-elimination! 

In partnership with Gilead Sciences, staff and volunteers at all our Via services have been working tirelessly to promote testing and treatment with the people they work with, on their journey to micro-eliminate Hep C, and we hope to be able to announce more micro-elimination wins soon! 

Marlon Freeman, National Hepatitis C Coordinator at Via said: “Hepatitis C micro-elimination at our service in Brent will be another next great accomplishment toward NHS England’s goal of eliminating viral Hepatitis C by 2025. Our partnership in the London Borough of Brent with Central Northwest London NHS Trust is a strong example of great third sector charity and NHS collaboration. I have worked closely with the service and seen our Via/CNWL staff work tirelessly to BBV screen and sometimes rescreen service users to ensure no one is left undiagnosed with Hep C, Hep B or HIV. We would like to also send appreciation to the West London Operational Delivery Network who have closely supported the service to aid in reaching this milestone. The work in our Brent service will continue to ensure the best quality of life for residents of the borough.” 

Faye Martin, Hep C Trust Peer Lead, said: “Via Brent have been amazing to work with they have included the Hep C Trust in many testing/education events. Our partnership allows us to make sure service users get the best support through their Hep C treatment journey”. 

Louise Hansford, South Coordinator Hep C U Later said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to support CNWL to achieve hepatitis C micro elimination in Brent. This service exemplifies the excellent partnership working between Hep C U Later, CNWL and Via and has drawn on the excellent work in Hounslow and Hillingdon. The Brent team made great use of the Hep C U Later Cepheid machines and training which I turn enables them to offer quick and easy diagnostic testing and support their patients into hep C treatment.”  

Abby Campbell, CNWL Sector Manager & NMP said: “Congratulations to the New Beginnings team on reaching Hepatitis C micro-elimination! This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of everyone involved. Your tireless efforts have made a significant impact on improving the health and well-being of our clients who are affected by this disease. Thank you to all for your unwavering commitment to this important cause.” 

Councillor Neil Nerva, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care said: “It is amazing news that Brent has become the next borough to successfully achieve micro-elimination of Hepatitis C in our substance misuse services. This is a significant achievement in tackling this potentially life-threatening virus. Partnership working between the Council, VIA New Beginnings, the NHS and, critically, service users has been central to this milestone. This goes to show what more we can achieve together”. 

Max Griffiths, Service Manager at Via said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have reached this momentous milestone in achieving micro-elimination at New Beginnings. There has been so much hard work and dedication put into supporting our service users to get tested and treated for Hepatitis C. This achievement is a result of the amazing partnership work taking place at the service.”