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Friday 9am - 4:30pm
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Specialist Support

LGBTQIAP and Queer Recovery Services

At the Recovery Hub we pride ourselves on our inclusivity and understanding of the needs of our LGBTQIAP and Queer community.

We offer a safe space for all substance and recovery interventions by highly trained staff. Our services offer confidential advice, safety information around Chemsex, Sober Sex, Slamming, Hook’ups, Safe power play in sex and a whole lot more with our dedicated LGBTQIAP and Queer Substance Misuse Recovery Worker.

Our dedicated service for LGBTQIAP and Queer adults is available for those who live in Portsmouth and may be seeking skilled support and advice around substances, sexual health, Chemsex, Gender and related issues. This is an outreach service which means you can be seen at your own home or any location that feels safe for you. We can tailor support to your situation and needs.

We offer discreet and confidential one to one and group support as well as training for other health and social care services on how to be LGBTQIAP inclusive.

As part of our support and role we work closely with Solent NHS Sexual Health services and can help you access the right support and interventions and help with referrals, advice and contraception, sexual health and PEP/PREP.. Click on the links below if you want to access any resources to help keep you safe and don't forget to refer yourself so we can help your life better.

LGBTQ+ Group

Our LGBTQ+ group offers a safe, affirming space for anyone in the community affected by drug or alcohol use. We run weekly meetings led by dedicated LGBTQ+ Recovery Workers who understand the unique challenges and strengths of queer and trans experiences. We provide support around: • LGBTQ+ specific substance and alcohol use. • Harm reduction and safer use. • Tips for navigating the party scene and chemsex. • Building healthy relationships and boundaries. • Recovery pathways — whether you want to cut down, stop, or just use more safely. Together, we work towards healthier lives and relationships — with or without drugs and alcohol. All identities, stages of use, and journeys are welcome. For confidentiality purposes the schedule and location is kept private - Contact us for more information if you are interested in attending."

DRINK:LESS

Thinking about cutting down on the booze?

Drinking more than you’d like?

Cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink can improve your health, boost your energy and put money back in your pocket.

We offer structured support to those seeking to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink and enjoy the benefits of a healthy relationship with alcohol.

All sessions are delivered by our skilled practitioners in a community location.

Veterans

If you are a veteran looking for help with alcohol or drug use, you can speak with our dedicated Veterans Worker. Having served in the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, he understands aspects of service life that you may find difficult to explain to someone else. He can listen without judgement, help you explore what support feels right for you and connect you with other services when needed, including mental health support, detox and day rehabilitation. You do not have to work out the next step on your own.

Armed Forces and Serving Personnel

F.L.A.G.S.
Forces Linking Alcohol and Gambling with Support

At SSJ, we offer specialist Psychotherapy provision to all military staff and personnel. All sessions are confidential and services are offered on military bases throughout the week.

At F.L.A.G.S. We see the impact alcohol and gambling can have on people's lives, careers and their families and we are here to help and assist.

We are an independent service funded by the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity (RNRMC). Our Psychotherapist and Counsellor offer a private and confidential service to support current serving personnel who may be experiencing difficulties with alcohol and/or gambling.

FAMILY SUPPORT

Is parental substance use having a negative impact on your children and family life? Are you unsure of how to improve your situation?

If so then come and access our free and confidential service and bring along anyone from your family who is important to you. At SSJ we understand what the impact of alcohol or drug use can have on families and children. We are non-judgmental and only here to help make you and your families lives better.

We can work with whole families to support you to improve yours, your partner’s and your children’s lives where there is parental substance misuse.

A Family Worker can meet with you and your family in your home or a community location to understand your situation and what changes you would like to make.

Once we have made a family plan, your Family Worker will agree with you how often you would like to meet, and what kinds of support would be most useful for you and your family members. We are ready when you are.

Criminal Justice Recovery Team

Criminal Justice Recovery Team
Our Criminal Justice Recovery Team supports people who are involved with the criminal justice system and would like help with alcohol or drug use. We work with people at different stages, from police custody and prison through to community sentences and support after release. Wherever someone first meets us, we aim to listen without judgement and help them take the next step. Our team works across Portsmouth, including at Portsmouth Police Custody, Probation offices and our dedicated office in Guildhall Library. We also visit local prisons to offer one-to-one sessions and group work.

Supporting people in prison
We work with people in prison as they prepare for release. Together, we identify what support they may need, make practical plans and help them connect with services in the community. This may include support with alcohol or drug use, wellbeing, accommodation, relationships and other concerns that could affect life after release. We aim to make the move from prison to community support as smooth as possible.

Supporting people on Community Orders
We support people on court-ordered community sentences, working alongside Probation where appropriate. We help people engage with support, address alcohol or drug use and work towards goals that matter to them.

Support in police custody
Our team offers a calm, non-judgemental conversation and can provide: • Harm reduction advice. • Information about local services. • A chance to talk about alcohol or drug use, health and wellbeing. • Help to plan what support may be useful after leaving custody. • Referrals and practical help to connect with community services. Where possible, we start building a relationship in custody so that support can continue afterwards.

How we work
We know that people involved with the criminal justice system may have experienced stigma or found it difficult to trust services. We take time to understand each person’s circumstances and work with them on realistic goals. You will be treated with respect and seen as a person, whatever has happened in the past.

Naloxone, Needle Exchange and Harm Reduction

Overdose prevention
Naloxone saves lives! If you, or someone you know is using Heroin, Naloxone is a licensed medication which SSJ can train you in which could save a life in the event of an overdose.

Needle Exchange programmes are designed to help and support people to use substances safely. You can access new, clean and appropriate equipment, as well as accessing advice for staying safe and it’s a place to return your used paraphernalia so that it can be disposed of safely.

Injecting any substance, for any purpose, can come with risks. Access our Needle Exchange, or NSP Direct for packs made specifically to support you if you are using steroids, or using substances to engage in chemsex activities.

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Keep Making Changes Program

Throughout your journey you will be offered a variety of opportunities to improve your health, wellbeing, social interaction and self-esteem. Sessions to improve health and well-being, everything from thinking skills to acupuncture, counselling and from therapy sessions to meditation. Where appropriate, we can offer support for your family or carer alongside your own.

See what those in recovery say…

‘I was very apprehensive when I first came to the Community Day Rehab. My earliest memory was when I introduced myself by saying that I was there to “be fixed”. It was with that comment I knew I was somewhere special because the immediate response was don’t think you’re here because “you’re broken, or need fixing. That comment stuck with me, because I did think I was broken and to be frank, I didn’t think I was worth fixing.”
AnonymousPortsmouth Service User
“The day I entered Community Day Rehab I knew it would change my life, the staff are so friendly and welcoming and completely non-judgemental. They delivered the programme in a way that made sense, I not only ended my addiction but gained insight and self-compassion into myself and feel I am now able to live the life I want and deserve. I found the counselling sessions at Community Day Rehab with Steph were life changing, to be listened to and understood helped me immensely, I used to walk out feeling amazing. It was great to be able to open up and not feel judged, amazing counsellor!”
AnonymousPortsmouth Service User
“SSJ and CDR was a safe place, somewhere to be honest for the first time about my drinking and how to realistically start trying to live an alcohol-free life by making commitments to yourself and taking one step at a time.”
AnonymousPortsmouth Service User
“I started to get involved in the summer of 2018 when I was encouraged to go along to lawn bowls one afternoon a week. At first, I was unsure, I had no experience and didn’t feel comfortable with meeting new people. However, I was shown understanding and support from Paul and the volunteers and discovered that I enjoyed bowls and was able to mix socially. It was an activity that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to take part in or even considered if it wasn’t for Re-Fit. I have tried many other sports activities since then including pitch and putt, gym sessions and badminton. The lawn bowls is still a favourite for me.”
AnonymousRe-Fit Service User
"I tried other services...It didn’t work. I came here and I spoke to one of the Recovery Workers on duty. I’ve been coming here once a week which now has changed to fortnightly. I reduced my alcohol content. I received good advice about triggers, understanding my position.... Listening to other people’s experiences and treatment plans was great. I felt seen."
Mike Keenan
Mike KeenanPortsmouth Service User
"It gave me a lot of positives. I still drink but nothing like I used to. Before I came here, I couldn’t sleep. I feel like I am in control. Before my substance use was in control of me."
Mike Keenan
Mike KeenanPortsmouth Service User
"Before I came to the Hub, I was nervous. I was afraid. The reception staff were lovely. The Recovery Worker on the day told me that I shouldn’t beat myself up and I need to let go. I felt a lot more confident straight away. I came here to talk about alcohol but it changed my life."
Mike Keenan
Mike KeenanPortsmouth Service User
"Staff were supportive, non-judgmental. Nobody told me how to think/be. I was allowed to process the feelings on my own. I was asked: How are you feeling? What do you want to do? How can we help?"
Mike Keenan
Mike KeenanPortsmouth Service User

Specialist support

The people who will help you to make your life better will have specialist skills in supporting:

We can also introduce you to someone with lived experience who can provide additional support along the way.

Make an Online Referral