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Oxfordshire User Team (OUT)
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Glenda Daniels
James House
45A James Street
Oxford
OX4 1EU
Introduction
Oxfordshire User Team (OUT) is a user-led, organisation promoting social
inclusion and providing opportunities for people overcoming drug and alcohol
issues. OUT is an independent, innovative charity working with drug users
and user groups in Oxfordshire and the South East of England. OUT is committed
to working in partnership with drug service providers, commissioners and
related organisations to improve treatment provision and reduce the negative
impact of drug use on the health, safety and social wellbeing of individuals
and the wider community.
Organisational Aims
- Encourage user involvement in drug treatment provision
- Promote harm reduction and self help through peer education and support
- Provide a route into employment for ex-offenders and the long-term
unemployed
- Represent drug users in national policy making and local decision
making
- Act as a treatment watchdog in Oxfordshire
- Share good practice and provide on going support to emerging user
groups
OUT was set up in 2002. It evolved from peer education sessions which
proved a useful forum for conducting consultations with users on a wide
number of issues that are then fed into local treatment provision and
the local Drug Action Team. OUT gained charitable status in October 2003.
The team currently has two full time staff (Service Manager and Project
Worker) and eight volunteers. OUT is offered ongoing support from the
Oxfordshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) Commissioning Team.
User Involvement
- OUT gives input to decision making, represents the users’ voice,
and conducts consultations with users, on drug related issues. OUT aims
to improve drug treatment provision and related services by acting as
a watchdog and consultative body. A few examples:
- OUT inputs a user perspective to annual treatment planning and commissioning
processes conducted by Oxfordshire DAAT
- In September 2004, OUT consulted with drug users on the specifications
for a new aftercare service, to be provided by a local voluntary sector
agency, for people leaving prison or structured drug treatment
- OUT takes part in yearly reviews of all the drug treatment services
in Oxfordshire funded by DAAT, ensuring that users voices are heard
and that any issues that are uncovered through in depth user consultation,
are acted upon and dealt with to improve service provision
OUT is encouraging agencies working with drug users to adopt sustainable
user involvement mechanisms.
Services for Users in Oxfordshire
OUTSMART Overdose
Workshops about overdose prevention delivered by OUT peer educators.
OUTlive Hepatitis C Project
www.oxfordhepc.co.uk
Workshops and information related to raising awareness of Hepatitis C
and preventative techniques.
Peer Advocacy
This service represents users experiencing difficulties with drug and
alcohol related servcies.
Support for User Groups
OUT offers a range of support for organisations setting up User Groups
both in the South East and countrywide.
OUT Volunteers
OUT offers current and ex-users the opportunity to volunteer for the service
enabling them to gain valuable skills and experience.
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