New drug and alcohol support hub The Key opens in Bootle
A new drug and alcohol support hub offering free and confidential help to people across Sefton has officially opened in Bootle.
The Key, run by health and social care charity Change Grow Live (CGL), has opened at 316-318 Stanley Road and will provide specialist treatment, recovery support and advice for people affected by drug or alcohol use.
The new hub has been created to make it easier for people across Sefton to access support within their local community, whether they are looking for help with their own drug or alcohol use or are concerned about a family member, friend or loved one.
Support available through The Key includes one-to-one appointments, treatment programmes and ongoing recovery support aimed at helping people make positive, long-term changes.
People can access the service through their GP, complete a referral form through the Change Grow Live website or call 0151 203 9755 to arrange an appointment.
Both pre-booked appointments and drop-in support are available, helping ensure people can access services when they need them.
Alongside specialist drug and alcohol treatment, The Key can also connect people with wider support around issues including housing, homelessness, employment and the criminal justice system where appropriate.
The service is funded by Sefton Council, with CGL working alongside local partners to reduce the harm caused by drugs and alcohol, improve health outcomes and support people through recovery.
The official opening also heard powerful stories from Eleanor and Deb, both of whom first came into contact with CGL as service users.
After receiving support, Eleanor has gone on to volunteer with the organisation, while Deb is preparing to begin working with CGL in the near future.
They were joined at the opening by Cllr Joanne Williams, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Zac McMaster, CGL’s Head of Services for Cheshire & Merseyside, and Kelly Miller, Implementation Manager at CGL, who each addressed guests before the ribbon was officially cut.
The Key is now open to people living across Sefton who need support with drug or alcohol use.
Anyone looking for help can visit the Change Grow Live website, speak to their GP or call 0151 203 9755.
At the opening ceremony, Cllr Joanne Williams, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, said:
“The Key represents an investment in local people and local communities. This new hub will support a broad range of activity, including treatment, recovery support, peer support, and health and wellbeing interventions.
“The aim is to make support easier to access and provide a welcoming environment for people seeking help.”
Cllr Williams said it was important to remember that recovery is possible and that seeking help takes courage. She said that communities are stronger when support is visible and accessible and that nobody should feel judged for asking for help.
The councillor also acknowledged the strong partnership between the Council, Public Health Commissioners, local organisations and Change Grow Live Sefton, whose collaboration has helped make this new hub possible.
She said:
“The key message that I would like to leave with you is that recovery should not be hidden away.
“Services such as this help people improve their health, rebuild relationships, contribute to their communities and create brighter futures for themselves and their families.”
Kelly Miller, Services Manager from Change Grow Live said:
“We are delighted to open The Key and provide a dedicated, welcoming space where people can access specialist drug and alcohol support close to home.
We would like to thank our partners and service users whose ideas and feedback have helped shape the hub. We look forward to building on this strong foundation and continuing to expand the support and activities available to local people.”
Monday’s opening event brought together representatives from Sefton Council, Change Grow Live, partner organisations and community groups to celebrate the positive difference The Key will make for people across South Sefton.
People can find out more about The Key and make a referral at: www.changegrowlive.org/service/sefton-drug-alcohol
