Southwark Substance Misuse Service User Council
Foundation66 is commissioned by Southwark PCT to manage the co-ordination of Southwark's Substance Misuse User council. The council provides an opportunity for users of substance misuse services in Southwark to directly influence decisions regarding the commissioning and operation of those services.
What we do
The core of the service is the Southwark Substance Misuse Service User Council. This is composed of 10 representatives who are recruited, interviewed, inducted, trained and supervised by the Manager. Each representative is linked to a substance misuse service in the borough to liaise with the service users and support their involvement within that service. They also attend relevant strategic meetings to represent the views of substance misuse service users and to contribute to decision making.
Who we help
Each representative has personal experience of using substance-misuse services in Southwark. Sitting on the Council offers them the opportunity to use their own experience to improve services for others and to develop their personal potential.
Any service user in the Borough can contact their representative to seek support in improving or shaping the service they receive.
Any one who attends a substance misuse service in Southwark can apply to sit on the User Council
How we work
The representatives provide a communication route between service users, staff and commissioners.
The Representatives:
- Attend strategic meetings to influence local provision of substance misuse services
- Attend service users meetings in Southwark substance misuse agencies
- Provide practical support in some services e.g. coffee mornings.
- Represent Southwark at National Treatment Agency (NTA) meetings, conferences and training events
- Update and consult service users on any information affecting treatment and service delivery
How to get involved
Anyone wishing to become on of our representative should contact the Service Manager. Any service user who has concerns, suggestions or compliments about their service should talk to the representative at their service.
