North Downing Training Group Project team
North Downham Training Group Project team
Partnership between the Voluntary Sector and NHS Stop Smoking Service
As an effective way of reaching disadvantaged groups
The North Downham Training Project and Lewisham PCT Stop Smoking Service are now in their fourth year of collaborative working to deliver stop smoking services to some of the hardest to reach members of our community.
As a result of the funding we received, North Downham Training Project initially set up an intensive service providing one to one and group support to local people wanting to stop smoking.
The flexibility of working in the voluntary sector enabled us to adapt the service model to suit the needs of local people, as many were unable to cope with the constraints of the standard NHS four week quit program. In addition taking a holistic approach towards clients and allowing them to “cut down to quit” resulted in a high demand for the service.
Outreach to other isolated groups of people who would not normally access smoking cessation services followed. This including setting up a support group and drop in service at the Downham 999 Club where people with varying special circumstances including mental health issues, drug addiction and homelessness regularly go for support, advice and free tea & toast!
Although this work was intended to be a short term project, it has migrated into an ongoing weekly service as many of the people at the 999 Club also have serious physical health issues. Although a number of clients do manage to stop smoking, they often start again and need ongoing support.
As a result we promote Harm Reduction with carbon monoxide levels being maintained at a much healthier rate, with low level smoking and nicotine replacement, enabling the Clients to experience a feeling of well-being when their smoking is significantly reduced.
Our latest venture is the setting up of an evening Drop-in Service at the local Lifestyle Centre where in addition to seeing smokers, we are providing support and mentoring to other newly qualified stop smoking advisors. Although only in its fourth week, we have already signed up over 40 people and now need to open on a second evening to meet the high demand created by our friendly proactive approach to recruiting and supporting smokers.
Advisors from North Downham Training Project started a popular Drop In on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at Downham Health and Leisure Centre working closely with Kay Skelton, Development Manager at the Centre.
Penny Morioka, who has worked in the Downham area for many years, recently started a Drop In on Thursday morning at the Centre for anyone who prefers to come in the daytime or who would like a lung age test.