We were delighted to welcome Stephen to one of our regular Tuesday meetings and listen to members recount how difficult life is when you are living with a loved one’s addiction to alcohol and/or drugs, many of whom also have a mental health problem.
Members were keen to point out that the recent cuts in funding recovery services has had a big impact on those trying to access recovery when they finally accept that they need help, and the stigma surrounding addiction makes family members accept that they, too, need help to cope.
Stephen has an understanding of local issues as he was born in Portsmouth and attended Priory School. He went on to Bristol University, gaining an MA in Politics. Before becoming an MP. Stephen was Head of Community Engagement at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, overseeing a successful investment programme in communities.
Stephen listened with understanding and empathy, and assured the group that we could call upon him for any advice or help that we might need with local issues and services.
Overall a very successful visit, reassuring our members that our local MP now has some understanding of the problems faced by family members and friends who care about and are living with a loved one’s addiction.
Thank you Stephen.
