North Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership is Celebrating Families Week, a national campaign being led by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs. Celebrating Families week is a time to recognise the important role that families play in our lives and communities. On the lead up to celebrating families week we asked local people:
- What does family mean to you?
- Tell us your experience of family support
- What can we do to tackle stigma experienced by local families
We will be sharing some of the feedback and comments from local people through Twitter, across the week. Look out for this!
What makes a family?
“Family” can include anyone who may be affected by or concerned about someone else’s substance use, someone considered as a ‘concerned significant other’. This could be a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a partner, friend(s), colleagues, or neighbours. Families can come in all shapes and sizes. No matter how your family looks or is structured, whether you are related or not, what really makes a family is love and care for each other. Love makes a family.
Stigma is often experienced by families
The Hidden in Plain sight report (2021) produced by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs demonstrated widespread recognition of the impact of stigma, shame and secrecy on families across our communities. This is preventing families coming forward for support. Tackling stigma is not just about the media and communities, but also about those closest to families (wider family, friends, workplaces).
Celebrating families’ week presents a chance to talk about families’ experience, how long it was before accessing support, and what we can do to tackle stigma experienced by families in our communities?
What is planned for celebrating families week?
- Monday – SFAD are hosting a Celebrating Families Song Information Session! To reserve your spot email groups@sfad.org.uk
- Tuesday – Carer’s together are attending a local family support group in Phoenix Families Service
- Wednesday – Young person’s group being hosted in Barnardo’s exploring the role of families (Family Connections service)
- Thursday – Carer’s Positive Stall (Phoenix Families) and Women’s recovery group – working on family quotes (North Lanarkshire Recovery Communities)
- Friday – ART work with the theme of families at local Recovery café, and family support input from Phoenix Families and Family Connections service will also be available (North Lanarkshire Recovery Communities)
- Saturday – Tea party at Phoenix Families Service in collaboration with Family Connections Service
