Forward Leeds provides support for adults, young people and families needing help with alcohol and drug use in Leeds. People can self-refer or be referred by a GP or other health care professional. Visit the Forward Leeds website to make a referral.
Forward Leeds delivers a range of services across Leeds from three hubs, located in Seacroft, Armley and Kirkgate, in the city centre. The service supports people to achieve their goals around their alcohol and/or drug use through a range of treatments. This can range from brief interventions for people where alcohol/drug use is starting to become problematic to interventions with people who are dependent.
The team provides structured therapeutic support, prescribing (including for maintenance, relapse prevention and detox) and recovery work. They also offer harm reduction services including needle exchange, housing support, family support and mental health support.
5 Ways Recovery Academy is the Leeds centre for those in recovery from issues with alcohol and other drugs. The centre offers a DayHab Programme as well as a timetable of groups, courses and activities.
Barca-Leeds delivers the following specialist services:
Forward Leeds' Young People's Team offers a confidential and non-judgemental service to young people up to the age of 21, and occasionally up to the age of 24.
The service provides one to one support around drug and alcohol issues, emotional support, physical and sexual health support, group work and support for families and concerned others around young people’s drug and alcohol use.
The Family Plus service focuses on getting families early help. Family Plus workers work with the family and Forward Leeds Recovery Coordinators to provide a rounded package of support to get the best possible outcomes for both children and parents.
Included in the Family Plus offer is specialist one to one and group work provision for children and young people. This provision supports children and young people with emotional health and wellbeing as well as drug and alcohol awareness to prevent second generational substance use.
Family Hubs offer a single point of contact for advice, help and support. Forward Leeds has specialist Substance Coordinators based at the city’s seven Family Hubs. Parents/guardians can access informal support and if required, be referred to other relevant organisations, including sustained recovery options.
The Barca-Leeds Focused Intervention team are based in the three Forward Leeds hubs and provide one to one support for people who wish to make changes to their alcohol or substance use.
Forward Leeds work in partnership with a number of GP practices and health centres across the city to make services more accessible for people with alcohol issues. Workers visit surgeries on a weekly basis to assess new clients and help people access the full range of provision at Forward Leeds.
The Focused Intervention Housing Team support people impacted by drug or alcohol use who have additional housing issues. Supporting people to make positive changes to their drinking or substance use and maintain accommodation appropriate to their needs.
Forward Leeds have a team that can provide training and information around alcohol and drugs. This includes providing brief interventions in the workplace. They can be contacted to arrange sessions for organisations and can deliver over Zoom.
"When we started back in August, I was worried that I had committed to something completely impossible. You stayed with me all through my therapy and listened to my problems and my fears about stopping ... in a way, you’ve saved me from myself, and I will be forever grateful, especially that you didn’t give up on me when I was ready to give up on myself."
- Forward Leeds Client
To get in touch, please visit the Forward Leeds website, give Forward Leeds a call 0113 887 2477 or email info@forwardleeds.co.uk
Barca-Leeds is a proud partner in delivering the Forward Leeds service alongside Waythrough, St Anne’s Community Services and the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
