Twenty two Wigan students have just successfully completed Bridging The Gap, a unique and innovative training programme run by ADS (Addiction Dependency Solutions). The course, which was run from the ADS service centre on Hallgate and the Purposed Life Church on Turner Street, is an intensive programme which lasted for 16 weeks. Many of the students who complete the course have fought a hard battle, and many go on to become mentors, workers and volunteers within the drug and alcohol treatment field. The fact they come through the course with the skills and desire to help others shows they are 'bridging the gap' not only for themselves, but for others too.
Bridging The Gap has won national recognition for its outstanding work with former drug and alcohol mis-users, in training them to become alcohol and drug support workers. This is a visionary programme which has the potential to transform the lives of not only those who undertake it, but of the many tens of others who they themselves will go on to help.
Bridging the Gap coves a wide range of topics including drug and alcohol addiction,listening and presentation skills, and child protection.
Jennie Archibald is the training co-ordinator for Wigan Bridging The Gap. She says: “Working on this programme is extremely rewarding. To see the students come through this great journey is not only a great achievement for them, but knowing that many of them develop the skills to help others who are in similar situations, is very encouraging. ”
Bridging The Gap Wigan is funded by The Big Lottery, with some additional funding from Wigan and Leigh Drug and Alcohol Action Team. The next BTG course in Wigan starts on June 8th.
For more information please contact Sarah Chilton ADS, Director of Communications on 07969288540 or email sarah.chilton@adsolutions.org.uk
ADS Oldham has been selected as the charity of choice by the staff at Constain, the international engineering and construction group, based at Salford Quays. Last week Mary Harris, who works as a Community Detox Nurse at ADS Oldham and Stephen Samuels ADS Service Manager went along to Salford Quays to collect the cheque of £510. Stephen said: "We are delighted to be selected by the Salford staff of Constain as their charity of choice, and for donating this money to us. We are going to spend the money on our drop in centre."
We have moved to new offices at 135-141 Oldham Street, M4 1LN. Our new telephone number is 0161 831 2400. We have lots of exciting plans for the building so watch this space for developments.