WCDAS provides free, recovery focused, evidence-based, treatment for residents of Wandsworth who are living with drug and alcohol problems.

SINCE 2015
South London and Maudsley Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust has lead the consortium alongside We Are With You (formerly Addaction), St Mungo’s and the charity CDARS (Community Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services).

 

The team is made up of a range of backgrounds from medical, psychiatry, psychology and nursing.  Working alongside them are recovery and outreach workers, peer support workers, together with specialist roles focussed on education, training and employment (ETE).

 

Our Mission

 

The central aim of the service is to engage people in meaningful and sustainable recovery.  This may be about achieving stability, reducing their substance use or minimising physical and mental harm associated with drug and alcohol use.  Working towards abstinence is always an option, though WCDAS recognises that this may not be the aim for everyone.

 

Five Ways to Wellbeing

 

Regardless of whether someone is pursuing abstinence or stability, we aim to improve the wellbeing of everyone we work with by addressing both their physical and mental health needs.  We do this by drawing on the Five ways to Wellbeing which have been researched and developed by the New Economics Foundation.

 

The Five Ways to Wellbeing are:

1.    Connect

2.    Be active

3.    Take notice

4.    Learn

5.    Give

 

Read more about the five ways here.

 

 

Our Values

 

At the heart of WCDAS are values that start with client-centred care.  We strive to be respectful, inclusive, and non-judgmental.

 

Our Commitments

 

We are committed to building trusting, mutual relationships with each other and with service users.  Our commitments are shared by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust which were developed with staff and checked with service users.  They are:

 

1.    I will be caring, kind and polite

2.    I will be prompt and value your time

3.    I will take time to listen to you

4.    I will be honest and direct with you

5.    I will do what I say I am going to do.

 

At WCDAS, we understand that individuals need a person-centred approach to their recovery, whether you want to abstain from substances or reduce your use, we are here to support you reach your goal.

We offer:

  • Advice and information on substance misuse
  • Specialist blood borne virus (BBV) testing and support including hepatitis C treatment
  • Needle exchange
  • Recovery and peer mentoring
  • Relapse prevention
  • Abstinent and non abstinent day programmes
  • Prescribing for detoxification, establish stabilisation, or to support recovery
  • Community alcohol treatment
  • Assessment for funded abstinent based treatment and residential rehabilitation
  • Psychology and counselling services.
  • Smoking cessation clinics
  • Support for people experiencing domestic violence and abuse
  • Specialist substance misuse social work support
  • Housing and legal advice

We believe that everyone’s recovery journey should include ways to improve their overall wellbeing

Nodes and Links

 

Our main site at St John’s Therapy Centre in Battersea has a network of links to partners across the borough where either WCDAS staff will see service users or support colleagues who may see people who would benefit from our specialist substance misuse knowledge.  These include:

 

  • Sexual Health Service at Falcon Road
  • The Jobcentre at Southside
  • The Courtyard HIV service
  • West Hill Probation Service
  • Wandsworth Food Bank
  • St Georges Hospital
  • Wandsworth Carer’s Centre
  • GP Surgeries
  • University of Roehampton Wellbeing Service
  • Talk Wandsworth

MEET THE SPECIALISTS

Dr. Seth Bhunnoo

Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Lead

Jane Eastaway

Borough Lead

Katy

Harm Reduction Nurse

Lisa

Primary Care Team Leader

Martel

Community Engagement Coordinator

Aisha

Recovery Team Leader

Silvia

Offender Care Pathway - Operations Manager

Stuart

Outreach Worker