What was the impact of Covid-19 and associated lockdowns upon the people drug and alcohol services support, in Wales? How did it impact their family? What affect did it have upon their own substance use and recovery journey? With the help of those with lived experience, they asked their peers the questions we wanted answers to, to help learn from our initial response to the pandemic and shape any future actions to best support those seeking help.

With the help of Welsh Government agreeing to fund this important research, the hard work of those with lived experience asking the questions of their peers, and the support from Rondine Molinaro from Kaleidoscope Project and Professor Katy Holloway from University of South Wales, we are pleased, along with our partners, to share the findings of how COVID-19 has impacted those affected by substance use.

COVID-19, without a doubt, has touched every part of society and staff working in the substance misuse sector, like all other key workers, have had to manage their own personal fears and concerns alongside maintaining support for their service users and learning a host of new skills to do this.

The staff impact survey aimed to illicit feedback from those working in the Substance Misuse sector in Wales about how they have been impacted by the pandemic and how various elements of the work they do has been affected by the changes going on around us.

The report outlines key themes and provides recommendations for staff, managers, organisations, commissioners and beyond, to help the sector to prepare for the future and to be fit for purpose, whatever that future brings

Please note, the welsh version of this report will be made available shortly

 

Professor Katy Holloway from the University of South Wales undertook a review from the perspective of those making decisions about Substance Misuse service delivery across Wales. 

Acting as independent to all service providers, Professor Holloway conducted 15 interviews with those in senior roles to find out how they felt the pandemic had impacted them, the sector, the staff and service users and to discuss what worked and what could have been done differently.

The strategic review will be available soon