SEIN members Drink Wise, Age Well reflect on their regular ‘Mutual Aid’ meetings which offer a safe, confidential space that allow group members to support one another through shared experience.

“The meetings have been a massive part of my recovery, they’re brilliant. I volunteer now and help to facilitate them.”
– Willie

Our meetings are facilitated, structured and recovery focussed.

They are age specific and alcohol specific. Through a combination of group discussion and by taking a Cognitive Behavioural Approach we aim to help people find alternative coping strategies they can use to help them meet their recovery goals.

As our groups are for people who are 50 and older, there is always a lot of empathy and understanding in the room when discussion turns to the various life transitions that older adults go through. Divorce, bereavement, retirement, redundancy, ill health and chronic pain are some of topics that come up regularly.

Our meetings are a great compliment to the 1:1 support we offer as well as a great way for people to stay connected to the service once their 1:1 support has come to an end.

Our meetings can support and empower people to have the knowledge, skills and confidence to be in control of their own recovery.

“It gives me a focus in my life and it boosts my confidence. I’ve made friends and learned lots, it’s brilliant. It’s stopped me from being isolated and wanting to drink. The group feels like a family. It’s so supportive”
– Catherine

Outcomes

Common outcomes we see for the people who attend our groups:

* Increased wellbeing.

* Increased Involvement in meaningful activities – as an example our Co-Production group was formed by people who had attend MAP and wanted to become more involved in the service and in helping others.

* An increased sense of purpose

* Improved Social Support Network.

* People often achieve their goals whether that be harm reduction or long term abstinence

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