Aberdeen, UK, two Aberdeen-based charities have joined forces to represent the needs of family members impacted by someone else’s drinking.
DRiNKLiNK – focused on promoting supportive information and services to people affected by alcohol misuse among family, friends and workplace – and Aberdeen in Recovery (AiR) – a representation of community members affected by substance use and addictive behaviours – are excited to partner in the development and creation of a website specifically devoted to support family and friends impacted by someone else’s drinking.
The website, which is expected to launch in the New Year is a direct result of a workshop that was held with a representative sample of family and friends that have felt the ripples of alcohol misuse. In the workshop, the team came up with not only the content for the site, but some creative ideas to better tell the stories from the many lives that have been touched by excessive drinking.
Stacey Summers, Chairperson at DRiNKLiNK says, ‘DRiNKLiNK has been built around the community and their views. I felt absolutely honoured to have the opportunity to sit around the table and listen to the stories of family and friends who have strived despite facing so much adversity. It was really interesting for me to hear of the similarities in their situations: Alcohol misuse forming as a result of bereavement; common tales of books, art and music helping people to get through the hard times; stories of abuse, shame and fear as well as eventual loss, or in some case recovery.’
‘The family and friends website is core to our vision and one of the components of our strategy that excites me the most. With the ideas brought to the table by the team, we have a real opportunity to change people’s lives for the better. I can’t wait to see the result and hear the communities feedback.”
Following on from the success of the workplace website that can be found at drinklink.org, the charity is continuing with it’s ambition to build an informative website that not only gives family and friends the tools needed to understand their situation, but links those in need to local support networks.
Dermot Craig R.C.D. Officer with AiR added, “Family Members within our community courageously, and continue, to battle for improvements to the support availed to those afflicted by addiction. So often, this same group of people fail to seek the same for themselves but have suffered the trauma of being witness to a loved ones demise. It is wonderful to be participant in the development of this so badly needed support resource.“
The team is actively recruiting volunteers with a background in copywriting, proofreading, graphic design and marketing to help with the build of the site. If you are interested in any of these positions please email info@drinklink.org. For more information please connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to find out about the latest DRiNKLiNK developments.
