The Blue Light Project is Alcohol Change UK’s national initiative to develop alternative approaches and care pathways for change resistant drinkers.
The Safeguarding Adults Executive Board sponsors the Blue Light Project in Westminster which launched on 14th December 2021.
This short video about Ian’s story was shared at the event. This story is not a safeguarding adult review but rather, a story about a homeless man who had someone who really cared about him. A supportive friend, who worked tirelessly with professionals to ensure that his capacity issues were recognised and reviewed, ensuring he was supported medically and not discharged back onto the streets.
View Ian’s story 7-minute learning briefing here
The Blue Light Project is an initiative to develop alternative approaches and care pathways for drinkers who are not in contact with treatment services, but who have complex needs. It challenges the belief that only drinkers who show clear motivation to change can be helped and sets out positive strategies that can be used with this client group.
The Blue Light approach is that, while we may not always be able to make someone change completely, we can help reduce harm and manage the risk they pose to themselves and others.
Over the last year Alcohol Change UK, Professor Michael Preston-Shoot and a network of local authorities across England and Wales have developed a national briefing on Safeguarding Vulnerable Dependent Drinkers (pdf). The aim of the document is to enable professionals in England and Wales to use legal frameworks to manage and protect chronic dependent drinkers.
Your voice is important to us
Join The LSVG to make a difference in Safeguarding across London
Do you have lived experience of adult safeguarding and want to make a difference?
The London Safeguarding Adult Board want to ensure that the voices of people with lived experience of adult safeguarding are at the heart of Safeguarding governance and practice across London. To do this, they are bringing together three people with lived experience of Safeguarding from each local Safeguarding Adult Board (SAB) to join their new regional London Safeguarding Voices Group (LSVG).
Who are they looking for?
We are seeking people from all walks of life, with differing levels and types of lived experience of Safeguarding, either personally, as a family member or a Carer. You may not have been involved with anything like this before and this will be your opportunity to make a real difference to future safeguarding practices in London. Specifically:
- You live or work in London or have an adult relative being cared for in London.
- You have experience of Safeguarding either personally or as a family member or a Carer.
- You are committed and passionate about improving outcomes for adults who are at risk of being abused, meaning that people will get a better experience and results to their lives.
- You are committed and supportive of the work of the London SAB.
- You are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- You will know how to use and have access to IT equipment and Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and other packages (Note: the LSVG are happy to discuss your computer/ IT needs and support where possible)
What will the role involve?
This is a voluntary role and you will be invited attend monthly virtual LSVG meetings. Each meeting will last for 90 minutes and take place via Zoom. The meetings will enable you to contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the LSVG work Programme. The London SAB promise that you will be supported to ensure you have the confidence to make a meaningful contribution and that you enjoy the experience.
What will you get from the role?
By joining the LSVG, you will have the opportunity to contribute to:
- Influencing the Making Safeguarding Personal Regional Agenda
- Influencing safeguarding practices across London
- Developing safeguarding services for the future
- Improving people’s experience of safeguarding
There is a promise that you will be supported to ensure you have the confidence to make a meaningful contribution and that you enjoy the experience. You will also get access to adult safeguarding training delivered by an approved trainer, with certification upon successful completion.
Hear from current members of the LSVG – watch this animation on YouTube
To find out more about representing Kensington and Chelsea or Westminster at the LSVG, please contact makingsafeguardingpersonal@rbkc.gov.uk
We also ask all our partners to share in their networks and to think about anyone they work with who might like to get involved.
LSG Role Description
LSVG Role Description easy-read version
Carers Network – Please help us get the hugs on the road!
Together, we can help reduce the huge mental strain on carers looking after loved ones living with dementia through our new activity product lending library.
Carers Network’s exciting new BizzyBox Lending Project will help carers access a fantastic range of activity products. These will include puzzles, comfort pets and hug buddies. They will be delivered to carers on our eco-friendly BizzyBox courier tricycle! With your help we can get the wheels rolling and the hugs on the road!
Find out more and support the project globalgiving.org/projects/bizzybox-lending-project
Carers Network – No one should care alone (carers-network.org.uk)