What is the Service Users’ Forum?

The Service Users’ Forum is a group of people who were, or still are, using the substance misuse-related services in the Canal Communities Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force areas, that include Inchicore, Rialto, Bluebell and Dolphin’s Barn. The Forum provides an opportunity to have a say in the services provided. These people have got together to form a group and meet up to influence decisions around service provision. This is done through having two service users attending Task Force meetings and talking with service providers about what is working in the services and what is not. This information is got by speaking to service users and getting all the information and views that can be got, positive or negative. It is a useful tool as service users feel that they are heard, and service providers can get useful feedback on their programmes. Also, by opening up communication, service users can feel empowered in the decision-making process. That is good for their own journey, and so are the confidence, skills and experience which people can gain from being involved.

The Service Users’ Forum has its own magazine called Vocaleyez, which is printed every couple of months. This magazine is written by service users and contains people’s stories, poems and photographs plus useful information for health and well-being. Vocaleyez will also be going online very soon, and this is an exciting new phase for the magazine as it enables the forum to update it whenever it needs.
We are looking for people to help with the forum and magazine. We feel it is an exciting time to get on board as it is all new and skills can be updated or learnt and also it is a great way to keep busy in these times of lockdown.

If you are interested in coming on board, just e-mail or ring me at celine@ccras.ie, 083-2043322, and you can get started straight away.
Thank you for reading and maybe getting in touch.

Celine Greene,
Canal Communities Regional Addiction Service

The Service Users’ Forum and Vocaleyez are supported by the Canal Communities Regional Addiction Service, on behalf of the Canal Communities Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force.