On 14th May, I am going to take part in a firewalk (walking across hot coals) to raise some money for ESCAPE Family Support.
ESCAPE is a charity really close to my heart as I am currently the Treasurer and Trustee there. I have witnessed first have the fantastic work they provide the community of Northumberland and therefore I would love to help out as much as I can and help to raise some money for them as I know it will be used for some great causes!
It is widely recognised that an individual’s drug or alcohol use affects their family, carers and wider social networks. At ESCAPE, they recognise that the family, carers and others supporting the individual require services in their own right.
ESCAPE has worked in Northumberland since 1995 providing confidential support, advice and information to anyone affected by drugs, solvents or alcohol including substance users, parents, carers, relatives and friends.
ESCAPE works with some of the most excluded individuals with complex issues including Child Protection; domestic violence; housing; debt; offending; social exclusion and unemployment. They have helped many people turn their lives around by providing support, counselling, educational information for drug and alcohol users, their families and carers and where possible mediating between the family to alleviate the problems experienced by substance use.
ESCAPE continue to minimise the impact on families, raising awareness of their services and breaking down the stigmas attached to substance misuse. Positive outcomes for clients includes: improved family relationships, community integration, improved heath and well being, employment, training and volunteering and improved outcomes for families.
In 2010, ESCAPE attained the highly coveted Investors in People Gold Standard Award. This prestigious award is granted to just 2% of the country’s organisations and they are proud to have retained that award to the present day.