Green fingers at DASL!
Kim Wilson, resident of Anchor House, is volunteering her green finger skills for the urban garden at Drug & Alcohol Service for London (DASL). Kim has signed up for the course which asks volunteers to make a commitment of 2-3 hours each week to plan, maintain and grow their own fruit and vegetables. Opportunities are provided for training; support from DASL staff and reimbursement of some expenses e.g. travel.
Volunteers do not have to be a service user, have years of experience or any particular qualifications. The project looks for volunteers who have an empathy with the client group and a passion for gardening which they can use to inspire and engage DASL clients.
Kim Wilson and fellow volunteer working at DASL's Urban Garden
Kim said ‘I got involved with the urban garden at DASL because I wanted to do some voluntary work and I am interested in horticulture. I enjoy it a lot, I really like working outside and I feel happy when I am doing something positive. Since I started this volunteer work the Job Centre have found two jobs in horticulture that I am going to apply for, so watch this space!’
If you want to get involved, please phone Michael O’Dwyer on 0208 257 3068.
DASL is pleased to be hosting the Newham PCT Trust Dental Service at the beginning of June.
Newham service users will be able to access oral health advice and emergency dental work if needed. This is a free service that will operate on a drop-in basis between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Tuesday, 1st June to Friday, 4th June at Capital House. Please open the attachment below for more information.
DASL achieves Investors In People Recognition
We are delighted to announce that, on the 12th May 2010, the Capital Quality Recognition Panel awarded Drug and Alcohol Service for London, the Investors in People Recognition.
We have achieved this prestigious award in recognition of our commitment to developing the staff team and continually evaluating our practice in order to improve what we do.
DASL has a team of very dedicated staff who are committed to building stronger, safer and healthier communities where everyone has the opportunity to realise their full potential. We are looking forward to building on our strengths in the coming year.
A big thank you goes to all who have helped DASL achieve this status!
DASL wins Young Peoples Award in Tower Hamlets
DASL is delighted to announce that the Girls Talk project was the winner in the Recognition of Improving Services for Young People category of the Tower Hamlets Third Sector Excellence Awards 2010. Alesa Rahman collected the certificate and a cheque for ₤500 at the Awards Ceremony held at the Troxy in Tower Hamlets in March. This project has received wide recognition from schools and from the young women it supports and it is great to see this now extending into a wider arena.
Girls Talk 12 week programme is delivered to young women in secondary schools. It addresses a range of issues from identity, culture, taboos, physical and mental health, sexual health, relationships, expectations and roles, to domestic violence and being a carer.
Girl’s Talk was initially aimed at young Asian women. In the past year it has expanded to involve young women from other communities (e.g. Eastern European, African) who face similar issues.
If you would like to know more or would like to establish a Girls Talk (or Boys Talk project) in your school or youth club, please contact Gursharan Virdee or Alesa Rahman on 020 702 0002.
DASL Banners
DASL is currently running a drug and alcohol public awareness campaign.
Adverts have been placed in strategic locations all over East London.
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Ibraheem Nelson
At a local community health awareness event, Ibraheem Nelson form Spark communicates to Cllr Akbar Chaudhary about the service Spark offers to workers and residents of Newham. During the discussion he advises the councellor on recognising substance misuse in young people.
Click here to download pdf version of Newham Mag
Air Football comes to Bexley
Air Football, the exciting project developed by Colm Whitty, is now available for Bexley service users as well as in Newham and Redbridge. Air Football helps service users to develop their football skills and learn about teamwork, health and fitness and general health issues.
Find out all about Air Football at www.airfootball.co.uk