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.”