‘ I found the Erasmus + conference to be extremely well organised with a number of useful presentations which gave a glaring insight into drug policy and services in a host of different countries. Learning about the intricacies of navigating differing national guidelines to provide suitable services in the addictions field was very interesting. The location of the conference was beautiful and I found the service visits to be extremely useful and worthwhile. The presentations were well thought out and well presented. It is amazing to see how addiction services are provided in another country and see where the similarities are with our own services back home and pick up ideas which could improve service provision in Scotland.’

– Richard Gray

‘ I was delighted to have been offered the opportunity to present a case study and attend the EAER European funded conference in Foligno alongside Richard Gray, NHS Lothian.
 
From the event one presentation in particular stayed with me and has given me cause to reflect and look at areas where we need to improve in our service delivery at Turning Point Scotland.

This was a presentation on the topic of Digital Professional Identity (DPI) from our Dutch peer and part time raconteur  Pieter van Schie MA. Pieter spoke of DPI as the effective use of  social media and it’s value in developing a professional social identity. He spoke about DPI as a means of branding one’s self, particularly regarding job searching among people in recovery and their professionals / trainers. I was particularly interested in this topic as many people we support not only experience economic and social disadvantage but digital poverty. I hadn’t fully thought specifically about this and its impact on job searching.
 
It is true we are in a digital age and regardless of your opinion of Twitter, Facebook etc., more and more adverts, job searches and applications are exclusively completed online.
 
As an adult harm reduction stabilisation service and homeless service, the majority of the individuals we support lack basic access to Wi-Fi at home or access to smart devices, the very means to take create a digital footprint. They remain digitally invisible unseen and unheard. They cannot take part in any social media conversation let alone look for work. A whole group of individuals due to poverty, do not have a voice and are disadvantaged by online recruitment and digital world.

Each service needs to look at how we can adapt by supporting our staff and volunteers to be competent digital coaches, innovate through peer2peer coaching so we can contribute to leveling the playing field and pass on these skills to those we support.
 
With this presentation in mind I returned to Edinburgh intent on improving access to digital opportunities for those we support. Then in lockdown there was a stark reminder of just how much we rely on digital technology.  Lockdown has forced new thinking in short term, cutting through the usual endless red tape, where additional funding streams and grants have been made available to close that digital gap.
 
The recent lockdown highlights the essential role the appropriate use of social media can play in staying connected, and has further exposed deep inequalities around digital inclusion in our current society. A lot of recovery meetings, talking therapies have had to move online. Without a device and access to internet many individuals were cut adrift and the impact on people’s mental health was devastating.
 
In Foligno, Pieter argued Digital access and training was a basic human right and an essential part of everyday work and social culture. Now in the shadow of lockdown it is even more so. We all must try harder. ‘

– Carmen McShane