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Focus Group & AGM a success!
40 people attended Cirrus 9’s (C9) first focus group and AGM. We were pleased to meet and greet service users, therapists, drug workers, a representative from the NTA and the association’s original founder, Val Thomas.
5 questions were posed. Many of the themes generated at the meeting confirm the validity of their current inclusion in our constitution.
1. Why is there a need for Cirrus 9?
2. What functions would you like to see Cirrus 9 perform?
3. What are the best ways to achieve these functions?
4. How could Cirrus 9 help you / your organisation over the next year?
5. How would you / your organisation like to be involved in Cirrus 9 and what skills do you think you could bring?
A lively debate followed and many of our initial themes were confirmed. Comments include:
- Cirrus 9 implies credibility.
- Cirrus 9 takes the lead on training for therapists in this field.
- CTs complete a package of drug treatment, providing choice and offering another form of support.
- Platform for empowering service users to access information and resources to support the recovery process.
- We can gather more consistent evidence to show effectiveness of CTs.
- Partnerships with commissioners, NTA, treatment providers, networking
- Special interest groups
- Annual conference
- Support through Hep C treatment
- Support with the production of policies and procedures
- Specialist training in substance misuse for therapists
19 people completed ‘Expression of interest forms’ and offered C9 the following skills:
- Contribution of free time to promote complementary therapies
- Cultural specific knowledge BME and drugs and alcohol
- First hand knowledge of specific treatments in recovery and whilst receiving Hepatitis C treatment
- Meeting venues
- Mapping services
Special interest groups suggested:
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Conference 2008 devoted to CTs and substance misuse
- Policy development group
- Hepatitis C support group
- Complementary Therapies for BME communities
A New committee emerges
The AGM followed the focus group and new committee members have come forward to support the next year of development.
We have elected a new Chairperson, Nicky Grantham and Vice Chairperson Dave Wright. Pip Bateman was elected as Secretary and Rosie Humphreys as Treasurer. We also welcomed aboard two service user board members Tina Draper and Anne Adamson.
Next Open meeting: Wednesday 16th January 2008, 3 – 5pm venue to be confirmed
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