DDNUser Conference

[February]

We have just started a user group in Wales called RAPS Recovering Addicts Peer/advocacy support. As far as we know we are the first in Wales. We have no funding and all of us are currently unemployed...... any suggestions of how we can raise funds to participate in conferences or any conference on drug /alcohol dependancy? How many users can afford to attend with travel, accomodation and conference fee?
   

[dusty]

Hiya,

Perfectly understand your issues around funding, as it's always been an issue with Wales.
Just to let you know, we had a meeting re the conference yesterday and raised this is issue in light of seeing your post and we /DDN are going to approach the Welsh Assembly about trying to bursary some places, whilst reminding them of their strategic duty to ensure they have effective mechanisms for user involvement. So we can't make any promises, but we will try and we'll keep you informed.

We also hope that we can attract additional funding from pharmaceutical companies that will allow us to cover the delegate fees/travel/accommodation of users who have no DAT / financial support. Again, if we get something sorted we'll let you know.

Thinking beyond our own conference, it might be worthwhile for you, as a group, to start to raise and address this issue both locally and possibly nationally. All NHS providers and local councils have a statutory responsibility to involve all patients and community members in decisions affecting their treatment and wider services and that includes drug users. So one could argue that you can only make informed decisions regarding your care if you have that information in the first place, and you can only gain that knowledge by attending events and conferences where these issues are discussed, and then pointedly ask what your local statutory bodies doing to enable you to access these events. It's a long shot, but it might just work.

If I can help further in any way I will - call me on 07967728221

Daren

[steve]

i have a couple of questions regarding this post and they are,what area in wales are you guys from and secondly i too if goegraphy permits as well as time would love to get in on your meets as i have some good ideas myself i would love to share them,  my email is s.evans670@btinternet.com

[February]

 Thanks reply Darren. Can you let me know how you get on?

We neet on Wednesdays at Int2change  3 Palmyra Place Newport from 12 to 1oclock.
Best Wishes February