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CityWide Family Support Network Resource Pack

Annual Work Conference 2009 Booking Form

Launch of Drug & Alcohol Family Support Network - Western Region

The Network was established in November 2010 and launched in May 2011 and aims to:

• Support local drug / alcohol family support groups in the region and
• Raise awareness of the need for support for individuals and family members affected by another's drug and alcohol use.

The network will provide support to existing groups in the region and to individuals or agencies wishing to set up a group in their area. The network receives funding from the Western Region Drugs Task Force and has links with the national Family Support Network. Please see link to: Website of Drug & Alcohol Family Support Network - Western Region.

Service of Commemoration and Hope 2011

The twelfth Annual Service of Commemoration and Hope was held in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Sean MacDermott Street on the 1st February 2011.  The purpose of the Service is to provide a special place for families and communities to mark their grief for family members who have died through drug use and/or related causes.

The main highlights of the 2011 Service were the presence of the President of Ireland, Mary MacAleese and the family members who stood up and told their stories.  Attendees valued the President's compassionate way and beautiful words. Attendees also felt that the stories and testimonials of family members was a powerful way of drawing families in, connecting with them and their plight and offering them hope for the future.  The Family Support Network would like to thank all those who participated in and attended the Service.  Please see link for the Poster of the Service of Commemoration and Hope 2011.

Family Support Network General Election Campaign

The Family Support Network (FSN) launched a national election campaign on the 26th of January 2011 in Buswells Hotel.  The general election provided the FSN with the opportunity to make families living with drug use a political priority.  The purpose of the campaign was to bring issues facing families living with drug use to the forefront of the general election.

Sadie Grace, FSN Co-ordinator, appealed to family members throughout Ireland to remember that the general election was about “Our Families, Our Voice and Our Vote”.

Representatives from each political party were invited to address those in attendance and respond to the four questions below:

1. Is your party aware of the issues facing families living with drug use?

2. Will your party support the development of the Family Support Network and local family support group(s)?

3. Will your party support the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009—2016 in its entirety?

4. Will you meet with the local family support group(s) in your constituency?

The launch was a great success and 5,000 leaflets and 5,000 canvass cards were given out by family members over the course of the election.   If you would like to find out more about the election campaign you can read about it in the 3rd edition of our newsletter or view the canvass card and leaflet on the research and publications page of this website; Family Support Network Research & Publications

 

Annual Work Conference 2010

The Annual Work Conference of the Family Support Network was held on the 9th & 10th October 2010 in the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk. Over 400 people attended including family members, volunteers, facilitators, policy makers and members of the Garda National Drugs Unit.

The conference was carefully organised and planned to ensure a mix of information and training, holistic therapies, networking opportunities, social activities and respite for the 365 family members that registered.  The range of speakers, training workshops and holistic therapies can be seen in the itinerary attached.  The independent evaluation of the conference showed that members enjoyed the conference and derived a range of benefits including information, new skills, support, healing and respite.  Participants valued the much needed respite and the opportunity that the conference provided for them to network with others who understand their situation.  Please see link for the FSN Annual Work Conference Itinerary 2010.

Launch of Good Practice Guidelines for Peer Led Family Support Groups

Audio Recording of Launch

"With the support of the Network and so many true friends we have made, life is good for us today. Our children are still in addiction but we have the support to take care of ourselves. Family Support has been a lifeline for us". Brendan Doyle, Wexford Family Support Group.

The Family Support Network launched Good Practice Guidelines for Peer Led Family Support Groups on 8th of April 2010 in Dublin Castle. The guidelines are designed to support families living with drug use. The guidelines provide family support groups with a framework to manage their group in a way that is deemed the best way possible in terms of meeting the needs and easing the distress of family members. While the emphasis is on the peer led model, the importance and value of other forms of support is acknowledged. Please see the link to read the; Good Practice Guidelines for Peer Led Family Support Groups