Alcoholic support service loses funding

Catriona Loughran • Published 4 Mar 2010 14:18 0 Comments

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An Enniskillen-based multi-agency service offering help and support to chronic alcoholics in Fermanagh is to close its doors at the end of the month due to lack of funding.

Fermanagh Community Alcohol Support Service offers non-judgemental support to individuals with alcohol problems and respects people's circumstances and personal choice in relation to their lives.

The service, which is run by First Housing Aid, is to cease operating from its premises on Queen Street on March 31 with Irvinestown-based alcohol support service SOLACE taking responsibility for its clients.

Since 2004, FCAS has drop-in resource facilities twice a week to individuals who have been referred from groups such as the health and disability team, community mental health team, Ramona House, PSNI, NIHE and self referral.

Drop-in facilities offers clients the opportunity to meet with their peers without the risk of drinking and offers them a hot meal to encourage a harm reduction approach and education activities.

The service also offers one-to-one appointments and also floating support to individuals in poor physical health living in their own homes.

It was feared that when SOLACE was awarded the tender, which is funded by DSD), it would only provide floating support to people living in north Fermanagh/Irvinestown and the Neighbourhood Renewal area of Enniskillen, but it's understood, SOLACE has been granted an extension to its services by 20 per cent and will look after FCAS's client-base across the county.

Floating Support co-ordinator Mary Officer, who has been working with First Housing Aid since 2004, said she is sad that no more funding is available but is happy that clients will be fully-supported elsewhere.

"This role has been very fulfilling and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I'm currently liaising with Mannix Magee at SOLACE in regards to our 14 clients. I know SOLACE do fantastic work in the north Fermanagh area and I'm sure this will be extended across the county as well. I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has worked with me and supported me during my time at the Support Service."

At Monday night's meeting of Fermanagh District Council Councillors said they were very concerned about the reduction in funding going into drug and alcohol support services in the west.

UUP Councillor Bertie Kerr said he was disappointed to learn of the news and said, "alcoholism should be treated the same as any other disease."

Sinn Fein Councillor Pat Cox, who said it was a worthwhile service to many families, expressed his concern about the closure and praised the work of Mary Officer, "The service this woman gives is unbelievable and she really excels in what she does and it's very sad that this service has lost its funding in Fermanagh."

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 04 Mar 10

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