Published: Tuesday, 13th October 2015
People with substance misuse issues in Cannock can now access better support to help them turn their lives around with the opening of a new recovery house and tea rooms.
Secretary of State Iain Duncan Smith joined representatives from Burton Addiction Centre, and partners Cannock Chase District Council and Staffordshire County Council to officially open the centre.
The refurbished house at High Green in Cannock is for people who have already completed rehabilitation and are alcohol and drug free and would like to return to live in their home area.
The new recovery house will help people access short term accommodation and support, along with education and skills training. The project will also actively engage families in the recovery process to give those dealing with addictions the best chance to recover and maintain their recovery.
The neighbouring Langan’s tea rooms, open to the public, is being run as a social enterprise and will provide volunteering and employment opportunities for people and the chance to learn new skills, make friends, meet with members of the public and get some valuable work experience.
Burton Addiction Centre itself is recognised as one of the best residential rehabilitation services in the country. The new Cannock house will aim to replicate this success and really make a difference to the local community. Statistics show that Cannock is in the worst 25% of areas in the country for deaths directly due to alcohol. Added to this, the area has the highest rate of alcohol related hospital admission for people under 18 in the West Midlands.
Noreen Oliver MBE, Founder and Director of the Burton Addiction Centre said: “We are delighted to be working with the Cannock community and local families. We want to make a difference, those clients who will be returning to Cannock having undergone intensive rehabilitation and were previously in the community addicted to drugs or alcohol, have turned their life’s around and want to contribute back into society."
“Through our work we break the cycle of addiction in families and communities. Our Social Enterprise” Langan’s Tea rooms is very popular in Burton, all the cakes are made on the premises and the enterprise enables our clients to get employment experience and the chance to gain a skill and qualification.
“The Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP, Secretary of state for work and pensions, opened our first enterprise Langan’s Tea rooms, he is very supportive of the work we do and we are delighted he has once again agreed to open our Cannock Tea rooms.”
Secretary of State Iain Duncan Smith said: "We are committed to supporting people to turn their lives around and fulfil their true potential. For people with addictions, that journey begins with effective treatment which includes giving them the skills and confidence to eventually move into employment."
George Adamson, Leader of Cannock Chase Council said: “We are delighted to support the opening of Cannock’s first recovery house. We have provided the building for this new service through a partnership agreement with the BAC, which means that local people who have received rehab at the Burton Addiction Centre can now return to a supportive environment, where they can be close to their friends and family”
Alan White, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing at Staffordshire County Council said: “This is fantastic news for those people in Cannock who are recovering from alcohol and drug issues. Not only will they get access to support and short-term accommodation they will also have the opportunity to work in Langan’s Tea Rooms to help build their confidence, mix with the public and get work experience to help turn their lives around.
“By changing our approach to substance misuse, we estimate around 20% or 400 more people will benefit from better, more joined up services designed to treat their addiction, get them into recovery and help them gain the skills needed to contribute to their communities.”
Russell Brand is also a keen supporter of the Burton Addiction Centre is backing the Recovery House and the tearooms said "BAC and O'Connor provides a way back for addicts. Crumpets instead of Crack, French fries replace smack. Cake and community is the solution to a disolute and individualised culture."
Investment in alcohol services across Staffordshire have already made an impact, with the number of alcohol related hospital admissions falling for the first time in 2014/15. With these new plans, more people in Cannock will be given access to ongoing support after they have completed rehabilitation.
The recovery house and Langan’s tea rooms were officially opened on 7th October 2015.