ERASMUS PLUS
The Elevate project has been helping people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction to progress into employment with life-changing results
Alcohol harm alone costs Scotland £3.6 billion a year in health, social care, crime and wider costs. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have experienced double the rate of alcohol-related hospital stays compared with other Scottish NHS trusts such as Dumfries and Galloway.
The ‘Elevate’ vocational education and training (VET) Mobility project builds on the successes of a work-based recovery programme developed by a Public Social Partnership including organisations such as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow Council on Alcohol and Glaswegian education organisation Light on the Path. The successful project has seen all participants remain substance-free after taking part in the Mobility project.
Jackie had struggled with substance abuse from a young age after being brought up around drugs. When she joined the programme she wanted to begin a new chapter of her life. Since finishing her work placement through Erasmus+ she has completed a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in business administration. She is continuing to volunteer in the recovery community following an interview for a Support Worker’s post.
She said: “I was 18 when my problems with drugs were at their worst. I’d lost a lot of my family – by the time I was 15 I’d lost my mother and father – and was living with grandparents. I didn’t really want to be there. I had a brother but we were separated, and when he sadly passed away five years ago that’s when everything snowballed. I had serious drug issues and suffered a nervous breakdown.
“In hospital, I was quickly introduced to a team at North West Recovery Community, who help people in addiction through this time with the aim of getting clean. They also had opportunities to volunteer to help get yourself back into work.
“So I started volunteering and things started to get better for me. I got involved in lots of training, started earning certificates which is something I’d never had and began studying for my SVQs. I thought it was something important to do. And that’s how I got involved with Light on the Path and project co-ordinator Morag Cassidy.
I look back at my early twenties now and think I was using because I wanted to die. I’ll be 26 in August and now I feel proud of the massive change I have made in my life to get a career.
“I’d started doing my Business Administration SVQ and I was told about Swedish work placements which were coming up. I was quite interested in Sweden, and applied for one straight away. I went through the interview process and I was lucky enough to be chosen.
“The hopes I had for what I wanted to get out of the experience? For me, it was the first time abroad without family. I needed to apply for a passport and sort tickets on my own. I wanted to go abroad, do what I was asked to do, enjoy it and not get into trouble. Could I go abroad and be an adult or would I ultimately fail? Well, I didnae.
“I had great support from amazing people including Morag. For me I absolutely loved the experience, to see how other people worked with people in recovery and getting involved in a bed and breakfast which was run as a social enterprise.
“Now I have completed my Business Administration SVQ and I am involved in a new women’s drop in centre which will be open throughout the day for people with addiction in Glasgow. I look back at my early twenties now and think I was using because I wanted to die. I’ll be 26 in August and now I feel proud of the massive change I have made in my life to get a career.”
Building employability skills through social enterprise
Through the Mobility project, participants have visited Gothenburg, Sweden, to take part in activities tailored to gaining them employment after their vocational learning. In order to apply to take part in the project, participants are required to be substance free for at least twelve months and giving their time as a volunteer for at least six months.
Participants visited successful social enterprises to enhance their employability skills and gain experience to strengthen their CVs upon their return. One example included work experience at a social enterprise operating a number of businesses including upcycling and screen printing. The participants each worked in different businesses within the co-operative. In addition, participants stayed at a bed and breakfast run using a social enterprise model. The business employed staff from a range of backgrounds including those with additional educational needs and those with fewer opportunities, and provided a high quality guest experience with excellent ratings on TripAdvisor. Participants were able to learn about the professional practices within the hospitality sector whilst staying there.
All of the participants who took part in the project have experienced a range of life challenges. From childhood addiction to family breakdown, these challenges result in low self-esteem, confidence issues and many had never travelled.
Project co-ordinator Morag Cassidy said: “People in recovery often have low educational attainment and the majority have had lots of personal difficulties in their life”