A local support group for family and friends of people struggling with addiction is hoping to raise awareness of its sessions.
Families Anonymous Jersey was started over a year ago by eight islanders who had taken part in the Silkworth Family Programme.
Speaking to Express, one of the founding members – who wished to remain anonymous – explained that the group was entirely self-funded, primarily through donations from those who attend its meetings.
It is a safe space where there are people who understand what you are going through
Families Anonymous Jersey founding member
“It has worked quite well,” she said, noting that there are currently two sessions a month, one of which has recently been moved online to try and enable more people to access it.
“We all have different situations,” she continued.
“There’s parents, there’s partners, there’s all different people and the addicts in their lives are also at different stages.”
But she said that the group had “struggled a lot with how do we get it out there”, adding that some islanders could find it “daunting” to attend their first session.
She stressed that: “It is a safe space where there are people who understand what you are going through.
“People can offload and it’s not even necessarily about giving advice, it’s just about supporting them.”
Those who would like to find out more about Families Anonymous Jersey can contact the group via email.
Figures recently published by the Government showed that alcohol and substance abuse remain the leading cause of homelessness in Jersey.
Silkworth Charity Group CEO Jason Wyse revealed to Express that a “recovery day hub” – similar to the ‘Club House’ drop-in centre that the charity had operated in town a number of years ago – would be launched this year.
He said the service would offer a “safe, non-judgmental environment” for those seeking support.