‘Saving Lives, Together’ campaign to expand life-saving health services

WithYou in Wigan and Leigh and the Shropshire Recovery Partnership have launched a campaign to save lives through key health services, including blood-borne virus testing, health screenings, and provision of overdose-reversal drug naloxone.

Building on the services’ successes micro-eliminating hepatitis C ahead of Government targets, the ‘Saving Lives, Together’ campaign brings together all existing harm reduction work - including hep C testing, needle and syringe services, health screenings, and naloxone provision - under one co-ordinated approach to streamline and normalise their use for clients.

Sarah Humphreys, Head of Service Delivery at WithYou in Wigan and Leigh, says:

“These conversations and services will save lives. Our aim is to make it as easy and comfortable as possible for clients to access blood-borne virus testing, health screenings, needle and syringe services, and naloxone.

“Our work demonstrates what can be achieved when we normalise harm reduction, destigmatise seeking care and treatment, and put client health at the heart of everything we do.”

Jan Burrows, Head of Service Delivery at Shropshire Recovery Partnership, says:

“We know that some clients can feel wary about testing and screenings, because of the stigma involved. By normalising conversations about them, we can ensure clients feel safe, informed and empowered to make the best choices for themselves.

“The ‘Saving Lives, Together’ campaign is about ensuring every client knows they deserve the right treatment and support - and that accessing it could save their life.”

Staff across the service are receiving additional support and information to increase their confidence in having these conversations, posters and leaflets are being placed in the service, and social media posts shared to raise awareness amongst clients.

Supported by local partners including councils and the NHS, WithYou in Wigan and Leigh and the Shropshire Recovery Partnership provide free and confidential services without judgement to people experiencing issues with drugs or alcohol.