Breakthrough, an Intense Peer Recovery Support outreach service run by Blue Triangle in North Lanarkshire, has received a funding boost from Corra Foundation. The Scottish Government’s National Drugs Mission Funds awarded £279,000 to the Breakthrough service over three years, which provides life-saving work to those recovering from addiction in the local community. Breakthrough staff focus on the need of each individual and support them with their recovery journey and sustaining their tenancy. The Breakthrough team works in partnership with the North Lanarkshire Alcohol & Drug Partnership, and they have supported seventy people since the service started.
Blue Triangle runs 26 services across 10 local authorities. By providing safe and psychologically informed environments, the social care organisation works with people at various stages of their support journey, offering the time and space to reset at a critical point in their lives. Blue Triangle staff are trauma-informed, available 24/7 and champion our supported people’s rights, helping them overcome barriers whenever they can.
Gary Meek, CEO of Blue Triangle, said: “We are delighted at this extension to Breakthrough’s funding and we are grateful to Corra Foundation for making this life-saving work possible. 11% of those entering our services last year were impacted by drug and alcohol use, proving the need for this essential outreach work. The Breakthrough team do fantastic work in the community and have established important relationships with our partners in North Lanarkshire.”
Carolyn Sawers, CEO of Corra Foundation said: “Corra’s vision is for a society where people can create positive change and enjoy fulfilling lives. With £3.6m going to fourteen organisations through the National Drugs Mission Fund, we will see real impact for communities across Scotland. We are pleased to support Breakthrough, Blue Triangle’s Intense Peer Recover Support service which provides vital, person-centered support to people recovering from addiction in North Lanarkshire.”
The Breakthrough team said: “We are thrilled to be able to announce this extension and would like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout. We would both like to express our gratitude to one another and our colleagues at Blue Triangle. Thank you to Corra Foundation for making this work possible. Thank you to all our colleagues in the NLADP and other partner agencies throughout North Lanarkshire and beyond – without their contributions and mutual support to work towards a common goal, this work would not be possible. And a special thank you to all the people we have supported, without all your hard work and dedication we would not have been able to hear such positive feedback. We are proud of you all! We are now looking forward to developing our service further, with the continued aim of reducing harms and improving lives.”
Feedback from supported person: “I had lost all faith, and never wanted to get involved with any service again. My past experience has been bad. I took a chance and made a call after a family member passed me Breakthrough’s details. I’ve never looked back since. In the last two months, I have taken control of my life, I have gotten sober, and I am able to be a good mum and a proud gran again, my family are happy and proud of me. I am so glad that I picked up the phone and spoke with them.
They always tell me that I did the hard work. But Breakthrough stood by my side and helped me to make the changes I needed to when I felt there was no hope.”
The aim of Blue Triangle’s work is to prepare supported people to move onto their own home, helping to break the homelessness cycle. Staff facilitate this by working one to work with the young people, identify support needs, such as mental health, addiction or further education.
Corra Foundation exists to make a difference to the lives of people and communities. In 2020 Corra launched a ten-year strategy. It is long term because making a difference on the big challenges will take time. At its heart is the strong belief that when people find their voice, they unlock the power to make change happen.
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact: Keara Donnachie Communications and Engagement Manager M: 07471 038338
About Blue Triangle
Blue Triangle was incorporated in 1975 through the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), initially to provide services through one property in Glasgow for young single women. In 1991 it became its own legal entity when it split from the YWCA. We are unique as a national registered care provider, registered social landlord, and registered charity.
Blue Triangle supports over 400 people every day, across ten local authorities. We provide young people and adults with safe, supportive housing and work with them towards their own tenancy. We provide:
- Supported accommodation (homelessness) for adults
- First stop and/or emergency accommodation (homelessness)
- Gender specific services
- ‘Housing First’, rapid rehousing, outreach support
- Peer recovery outreach support
- ‘Young Persons’ and ‘Care Experienced’ supported accommodation
