Date: 01 Jan 2008
Area where based: Westminster
Outline of Project:
This programme aims to help residents of the King George's Hostel, Westminster, to beat their dependency on drugs, using the routine and discipline of a fitness regime and the health benefits associated with regular exercise.
The Hungerford Drug Project (a Turning Point service), provides one full time Substance Misuse Worker to work with the residents of the King George's Hostel. The hostel is a 68-bed all male facility which offers help to homeless men who have slept rough in Westminster with a particular focus on helping active Class A drug users.
The current Substance Misuse Worker, Nosheen Raja, has developed the exercise programme since she started in post in January 2008. Nosheen is responsible for organising the programme and has worked in partnership with British Military Fitness to develop classes and exercise routines for her clients.
Aims and Objectives:
The projects aims include:
• to reduce clients' drug use;
• to improve clients' physical and mental wellbeing;
• to increase clients' self-confidence;
• to help clients reintegrate into the community.
Outcomes/Evaluation:
Monitoring and Evaluation:
The project has not been formally evaluated. However, an article about the project has appeared in Community Care magazine which you can see
here
Outcomes:
Five individuals have gone through the whole programme. Of the five, three have managed to become completely drug free and are living in their own flats and working, having moved on from King George's Hostel. These five individuals are planning a 3-week hiking trip to Nepal next year.
Date Added: 16 Jun 2010
