Article from the Spring edition of the Seaview Newsletter
Description of Lived Experience Training Day
A few months ago, a small group of people in recovery signed up to deliver a training day on addiction. Under the guidance of Dave Perry, Jennie Gibson and a senior lecturer from Brighton Uni, Dr Daren Britt, Toni, Jeff, Welly and Rob set to task.
The brief was to educate and inspire people whose profession brought them into contact with people suffering with addiction. To educate them on what addiction means, the substances involved, the reasons why this can happen and the harms it can cause. To inspire them to see a person behind the addiction, and to bring that person to the forefront. To recognise the window of opportunity they’re presented with to offer even the briefest of interventions. To recognise this person might benefit from a few kind words, rather than be frowned upon as a nuisance, or even feared. And towards the end of the training equip them with the knowledge around which services this person might benefit from beingsign posted to. To make even a few minutes of contact count.
This small group of people with the help of their mentors, we think, have come up with something quite extraordinary. A training day that will provide their audience with a banquet of food for thought, and as the brief required, inspire them to take a more holistic approach to the people they come into contact with who are suffering. Their first training day is just a few weeks away, and with around 80 years of life in addiction between them, we think it’s safe to say they know what they’re talking about.
