Partner Agencies
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In addition to the shareholders who own the company, the Conference Consortium has formed partnerships with a number of other organisations. In some instances this has been to develop and deliver events, in others it is to seek their input on specific issues, or to pursue mutual interests. A number of these organisations have been offered and accepted the status of ‘affiliates’ including those below, described in their own words. The Connections Project - integrated responses to drugs and infections across European criminal justice systems - launched in Autumn 2007, managed by the University of Kent and co-funded by the European Commission Public Health Programme focuses on the potential for partnerships within criminal justice systems of the EU Member States to develop joined-up responses to drugs and related-infections, particularly HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. The project is implemented by several partners belonging to research institutions, civil society organisations and criminal justice agencies in the EU. The project aims to facilitate the introduction and promotion – at national and European level – of more effective, comprehensive, evidence-based policies and services to respond to drugs and related infections in European prisons and within the wider context of the criminal justice system. Public health and human rights based approaches and priorities guide the project towards the promotion of comprehensive continuity of care. Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust provides NHS mental health, learning disability and substance misuse services for the people of Coventry and Warwickshire and also provides specialist services to people from across the West Midlands and beyond. Drink and Drugs News (DDN) is the fortnightly magazine for all professionals in the drug and alcohol field. Published independently by CJ Wellings, it is circulated worldwide through publishing hard copies and on the DDN website. It provides news, features, research, and the latest thinking in the field and has become the place where people working with substance misuse have their say – and know it will be read. DDN receives no funding of any kind and all costs for the free circulation are paid for by advertising – which is why the magazine has become valued for its unbiased editorial and as a forum for diverse views and debate. Drug and Alcohol Findings is managed by three national non-governmental agencies concerned with information, research and practical responses to drug and alcohol problems in Britain. Together with subject specialist Mike Ashton, Alcohol Concern, DrugScope and the National Addiction Centre responded to the need for increased investment in this sector to be guided by research on the effectiveness of the interventions being funded. The need to link practice with research was widely recognised, but there was a problem: because it is the core business of neither side to link up with the other, these two sectors are isolated from each other. Researchers talk to each other in academic journals, while practitioners have neither the time nor the skills to monitor the world evaluation literature and make sense of its findings. The International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) is the leading organisation promoting a harm reduction approach to all psychoactive substances on a global basis. IHRA exists to prevent the negative social, health, economic and criminal impacts of illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco for individuals, communities and society. IHRA supports the engagement of people and communities affected by drugs and alcohol around the world and works to promote harm reduction and human rights issues within national, regional and international bodies (such as the UN). We have over 1000 members in more than 60 countries. IHRA promotes harm reduction through an integrated programme of research, advocacy, information sharing, networking and collaboration, and an annual conference attended by 1500 people from over 80 countries. National User Network (NUN) has a rapidly increasing membership of individuals & service user groups. Members are users or ex-users, or professionals working in the drug & alcohol field. We aim "To promote and support user Involvement in all aspects of care, treatment and service development". We inform, educate & empower members on issues of policy & harm reduction & best practice. We sign post educational & training events. We obtain bursaries for members to attend conferences. The Police Federation of England and Wales is the staff association that represents all 140,000 police officers up to and including the rank of Chief Inspector. It ensures that their views on all aspects of policing, including welfare and efficiency, are accurately relayed to government, opinion formers and key stakeholders. The Federation evolved from being a voluntary, unfunded organisation in its early years, to a modern, professional staff association that covers all subjects and issues that affect the police service, including all aspects of pay, allowances, terms and conditions, hours of duty, annual leave and pensions, ensuring the views of its members are heard. The Federation is also consulted when police regulations are set and is integral in representing police officers’ views on matter including training, promotion, discipline and professional standards are discussed. The national headquarters of the Police Federation is in Leatherhead. Thames Reach supports people who are homeless, or have experience of homelessness; as well as vulnerable or isolated men and women who may be in danger of becoming homeless. In doing this we specialise in helping people with complex and multiple needs, including mental health and drug and alcohol problems. We work across London with around 5,000 people every year, and we provide a range of services that prevent homelessness, help homeless people find accommodation, provide emergency and transitional accommodation, provide specialist long-term housing and help people recover from homelessness. Our service users tell us that the solutions to homelessness lie in the provision of decent housing, and the ability and confidence to develop supportive relationships and fulfilling lives. Our services aim to help our service users find these solutions for themselves. |