Northern Ireland’s First Addiction Aftercare Services
Northern Ireland’s first addiction aftercare service has been launched. Davina’s Ark based in Newry is run by professional addiction counsellors, who offer a total of 60 years’ experience in delivering support to those in need.
Speaking at the launch today in Newry (Friday 11th April), Programme Manager, Rosemary Rooney told politicians, health trust representatives, doctors, community groups and service users, “Addiction is one Northern Ireland’s biggest public health issues, Alcohol and Drug misuse alone is estimated to cost the public purse over £1 billion annually.
“Davina’s Ark offers comprehensive non-residential aftercare programmes which aim to break the cycle of addiction, free families from heartache and rediscover relationships lost through addiction. It’s an organisation that recognises that those in recovery remain vulnerable and without support run the risk of relapse, physical and mental illness, self-harm and suicide.”
The Social Enterprise, based in Kilmorey Street Newry, is the culmination of three years’ work by professional counsellors and friends of a young woman named Davina who inspired them to develop the centre.
Davina’s recovery was interrupted by gaps in rehabilitation support and she became passionate about creating an organisation that would fill this need for others in recovery. Davina passed away in 2011, but her friends and colleagues took up the gauntlet to fulfil her vision.
Sister Kathleen O’Connor – who brings two decades of experience to the programme – described Davina’s Ark as ‘a place of hope’ for those who need it.
“This centre is unique to Northern Ireland and provides a range of programmes for individuals in recovery and their families, providing vital support to rebuild their lives and participate in our society and contribute to the economy,” she said.
Davina’s ark primarily services the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) and border counties but its services are available to people across Northern Ireland. The SHSCT catchment area includes a number of areas with high levels of multi-deprivation where addiction can reach five times the national average.
Davina’s Ark provides: counselling for individuals and families; mentoring; relapse prevention programme and support groups for both individuals and families; Davina’s Ark offers a full range of services including counselling, group and family therapy, education and awareness programmes and community support groups.
For more information visit www.davinasark.co.uk and follow them on facebook.com/davinasark and twitter @davinasark.
For more information contact:
Tel: 02830279407
Email: info@davinasark.co.uk
Web: www.davinasark.co.uk
Event Timeline
EVENT DATE:
Friday 11th APRIL 2014, 10am to 12pm
CANAL COURT HOTEL, MARADYKE SUITE
10-10.30 – Tea/coffee Reception
10.30 am – Welcome & Introduction by Rosemary Rooney of Davina’s Ark
10.30ish am – Official Launch – Micky Brady MLA
10. 35 am – Michelle Russell, Davina’s Ark
10.40 am – Video
10.45 am – Rosemary Rooney, Davina’s Ark
10.55 am – Guest Speaker – Sister Kathleen O’Connor
11.10 am – Guest Speaker – Stephen McClelland, Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency
11.15 am – Recovery Choir
11.45 am – Q&A Session and closing comments
12 noon – End
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