What’s on offer may depend on the area you live in but here is an overview of the types of services we provide.
Click the + below to find out more for each one.
We have specialist teams providing services for children and young people and their loved ones.
You can find out more about these services by visiting dedicated Young Person’s website www.choices.cymru
A person’s misuse of drugs or alcohol can have a devastating effect on their family and friends, and we offer services which can offer support and advice to loved ones.
Get help for someone else (help for someone else)
The role of the Barod worker is to provide as much information as possible to assist the you, the service user, in making informed decisions about your own care and support package.
When you first come into services, we will ask you questions to help us to find out what you want and what we can support you with. We will give you information on what is available within Barod and within other local agencies to help you to create the best support package for you. We will pull all this information together into a care plan, which is based on your individual needs.
Care plans are reviewed at least every 12 weeks and are flexible. We recognise that plans may change, sometimes very quickly. The care plan is a guide, a focus for the work we will do together; but it is always led by you, the service user.
We know that lapse and relapse is common – we can work with that – the last thing we want is for someone to think they have failed and drop out of treatment. We will adapt the care plan to ensure that milestones and goals are achievable.
Barod works to the Community Reinforcement Approach which rewards service users when they reach their self-set milestones in their support/care plan. Rewards are agreed between the service user and case worker.
We provide a wide range of informal and more structured groups to help individuals, families and friends to address substance misuse problems.
Attending group sessions can be really effective in helping individuals to learn more about themselves and what they are working on.
Don’t worry if you don’t feel ready to work in a group yet, no one is pressured to attend a group, and we will be there to support you if you do.
We operate a number of drop-in centres which offer a range of services.
In the drop-in we can help to address any immediate problems or crisis, and help people get the help they need.
But we can also offer regular low level support, access to a computer or just a safe place to discuss your concerns around your substance use.
There is no need for an appointment, but be sure to check the opening times before you visit.
We find that getting involved in activities an make a real difference in someone’s recovery and we offer a range of schemes to encourage people to take part in positive activities in their lives, and reduce social isolation.
Art classes, drama groups, music groups, photography groups, walking groups, rock climbing, cookery groups, plus many more!
Complimentary therapies can help you to relax and to deal with cravings and triggers.
We provide a range of complementary therapies including Auricular Acupuncture, Mindfullness and Indian Head Massage.
Here are some of the ways we promote harm reduction:
Needle Exchange
Needle exchanges are a vital service that aims to reduce the overall harm associated with sharing used injecting equipment.
Our exchanges work with anyone using substances by injection – be that opiates or steroids / image enhancing drugs.
Based on the harm reduction philosophy, we offer equipment, advice and support as well sharps bins to help reduce drug-related litter.
See the How our Services Work page for more information on Needle Exchange
See the Get Help Now page to find your nearest needle exchange
Naloxone
We train opiate users and other individuals in the use of Naloxone, a life-saving drug that can be used in opiate overdose emergencies.
See our How Our Services Work page for more information on Naloxone and how you can access it
Overdose Prevention Advice
We can provide information or training to individuals on all aspects of overdose from prevention to dealing with an emergency.
This information is available to all; individuals at risk, family and friends and those working with individuals that may be at risk.
Blood Borne Viruses and Dry Blood Spot Testing
Barod works with BBV Specialist Nurses and hepatology staff to provide supported access to testing, vaccination and treatment for BBVs. At risk service users are encouraged to undertake testing and, if tests are positive, treatment for HIV, HBV and HCV.
Barod staff are trained and supported to conduct Dried Blood Spot Testing for BBVs. The aim of these finger prick tests is to conduct an initial screening and get service users talking and thinking about BBVs. Test results take approximately one week.
We work with partner agency The Terrence Higgins Trust to provide peer support groups for people affected by blood borne viruses.
Sexual Health advice
Individuals can access basic safe sex information including contraception, STI’s, BBV’s and the impact of co- ocurring sex and substances. Some of our bases have access to a visiting sexual health nurse able to provide smears, screenings and contraceptive advice.
Relapse Prevention Programmes
Through our social enterprise Tyfu, our training programmes, our Cyfle Cymru out of work service and our group work, we aim to provide individuals with new skills and opportunities that they can use to improve many areas of their lives.
Open Access does exactly what it says on the tin: offers a space where anyone can drop-in and be seen by a substance misuse professional without an appointment.
Service users do not have to be in treatment to access the open access drop in service – this can be a one off or as many times a service user needs.
Open access can provide the following, where available:
