Tendring Community Assets Full Final Report

46 11.6.9 Open Road runs a drop-in and needle exchange in Clacton, which is open daily and covers Tendring, including Clacton, Harwich and Jaywick. It provides information, advice, support, or initial assessment as well as help and advice on gaining skills, training, education and employment opportunities to support long-term recovery. 11.6.10 Futures in Mind holds Welcome Cafes in Manningtree, Harwich and Clacton, offering the opportunity for adults recovering from mental health and drug and alcohol problems to meet like minded people, access support and build confidence. The organisation also offers befriending, support to develop skills and gain qualifications and access to a range of peer led activities. 11.6.11 Within North East Essex, approximately 169,774 (73%) people drink within the recommended alcohol guidelines, 45,370 (19%) drink above the recommended which increases the risk of damaging their health and 16,086 (6%) drink at very heavy levels which significantly increases the risk of damaging their health and may have already caused some harm. The NHS estimates that around 9% of adult men and 4% of adult women in the UK show signs of alcohol dependence. A more specific estimate from the Department of Health suggests that approximately 3.4% of people in the UK are dependent on alcohol. 11.6.12 In the Tendring district 770 people per 100,000 were admitted to hospital with alcohol related conditions, the highest in Essex and 22% higher than the national average. Hospital admissions for children and young people under 18 are more than double the Essex average. (see Appendix 1). Again support is available in A&E but for those who do not need to get admitted to hospital, services like Open Road’s SOS bus can really make a difference by supporting people in the place and at the time they need it. For the last 10 years, Open Road has run the SOS bus, and its support minibus, in Colchester town centre. It is based there on Friday and Saturday nights from 20:30 – 04:00 every week throughout the year. Over half of those attending the bus were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Last year 18% (109 people) of those treated were from the Tendring area. The bus is staffed by one team leader, one medic, and 6 volunteers and provides a safe haven for late-night visitors. Remote medics UK have been providing the SOS bus team and community with an enhanced and professional medical service over the last year. Open Road’s volunteers help diffuse trouble and provide medical support to people who need it. This helps reduce the negative impact of the night time economy on the businesses and residents of the town. The SOS team coordinates with other support services – street pastors, doormen at pubs & clubs, the Police, Ambulance Service and A&E. This means that incidents can be quickly coordinated, assessed and dealt with and avoids many A&E attendances and call-outs for ambulances. This is a good example of going where people go. 12 CARERS 12.1 Essex Carers Strategy highlights what needs to change in the support given to Carers in the County as “We need to embrace a prevention agenda. For carers, this means reducing the impacts of caring on their lives, enabling them to achieve their aspirations and cope with crises in their caring roles. This requires a fundamental shift from reactive services that address ill health and care needs once they have arisen, to proactive approaches that build individual resilience and help people to achieve their potential.” 51 Carers need to be able to feel connected to their communities, to retain employment and a lifestyle of their own and being able to maintain 51 Carers Count in Essex, Essex Carers Strategy 2015-2020