Alcohol Help

Swindon Borough Council is uniting with local shops and off-licenses in the fight against fake and smuggled alcohol.

The campaign will see Trading Standards officers visit nearly 100 independent retailers offering advice on how to spot and guard against illegal alcohol activity associated with buying these products. After discussing the issues, officers will provide free leaflets and stickers to help businesses train their staff.

It comes after dozens of bottles of counterfeit Jacob’s Creek wine were seized from five shops in the town at the beginning of April.

“We really are here to help our local businesses tackle this issue,” said Cllr Colin Lovell, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Customer Services and a Safer and Stronger Borough.

“We know that unscrupulous criminal gangs are targeting smaller businesses, who may be feeling the pinch and offering what appear to be bargain deals.”

It is a criminal offence to possess counterfeit alcohol or tobacco with the purpose of selling them on and anyone convicted can face up to 10 years’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine.

Businesses approached by people offering cheap alcohol or tobacco are advised to make sure:

# The products are labelled in English
# Spirits with a strength of 30 per cent abv or more bear the duty stamp
# Cigarettes and tobacco are marked “UK Duty Paid”
# Labels are checked for tell-tale signs like poor spelling or wonky printing
# Detailed receipts and invoices are kept safely
# A record of the registration mark of any delivery vehicle is recorded
# CCTV is working and records any transaction for future reference

Cllr Lovell added: “Unfortunately for the retailer, they will be the ones carrying the can when our Trading Standards officers come calling so we hope to give them all the help and support they need to run their businesses and to able to give us the information we need to bring the criminals to justice.”

To report the supply of illegal or suspiciously cheap tobacco or alcohol, call Trading Standards via 01793 466155 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Swindon Borough Council

Gloucester House, Highworth
Residential addictions rehabilitation centre for men with drug and alcohol dependencies.

About us:

Gloucester House aims to help service users face issues associated with severe dependency on alcohol and drugs and to prepare them for a future in which they have a choice to be sober and drug-free. The work of the centre is undertaken through Christian convictions about acceptance, change, restoration and hope for the future. Service users are offered the opportunity to explore the need for a spiritual dimension to their lives.

Gloucester House runs Primary and Secondary Programmes. The Primary Programme uses an integrational model which incorporates the following elements:• Interpersonal Groups ) 10.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays• Teaching Sessions )• Introduction to the Twelve Step Programme• Occupational Therapy in the three workshops on the centre (3 afternoons per week)• Weekly one-to-one sessions with a keyworker.

All service users are expected to demonstrate the “HOW” of “How it works”: Honesty, Open-mindedness and Willingness. Anyone in treatment here is expected to attend two fellowship meetings (AA, NA or CA) per week appropriate to their drug(s) of choice. This therapeutic programme helps individuals to look beyond the effects of chemical addiction problems to explore causes and ways of changing unhelpful patterns of behaviour.

Tell me more about the “Primary Programme” This usually lasts for a minimum of 12 weeks and lays the foundation for a life free of chemical dependency. The programme is structured from 8.45 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. each weekday, but residents may also be completing assignments, writing their Life story or attending AA/NA/CA meetings, as well as having time for relaxation.

The occupational therapy during the Workshop times includes wood-working, picture framing, gardening and pottery as well as opportunities to attend Basic Skills, Computer and Smoking Cessation Classes or a weekly session at the local gym. An initial Treatment Plan is held with each new service user within the first two weeks when they can identify the goals they wish to set. These are reviewed monthly to monitor progress through the programme. Workers from referring agencies are welcome to attend Treatment Plans and Reviews.

Life-skills include: • Assertiveness • Managing Anger• Relationships • Self-awareness • Communication• Managing Change • Coping with Stress • Relapse Prevention• Relaxation • Dealing with Anxiety

What is the Secondary Programme? This is a further opportunity for development for those who have satisfactorily completed the Primary Programme. Service users can apply for admission onto this stage but need to demonstrate a clear focus for their personal development during this time. This stage usually lasts for 3 to 6 months and is less structured, but service users are required to attend group sessions at Gloucester House every Wednesday together with voluntary work or training for about 20 hours per week. Those on this stage submit a weekly programme which is reviewed the following week.

Is there a half-way house? Yes. Gloucester House also has a 3 bed-roomed(all single) halfway house in Highworth. This accommodation is self-catering.

Can I get accommodation when I leave? We recognise the importance of suitable move-on accommodation but do not have these facilities. While we use our best efforts to obtain good quality supported housing for those who are satisfactorily completing the programme, we are unable to guarantee that this can be provided. We network with good housing providers and are able to make a few nominations each year. However, there is very little good quality supported housing locally and applicants should check with their referring agencies about their provision for move-on accommodation.

What about the Christian environment? Whilst the Salvation Army is a Christian church, no requirements are made of service users regarding personal beliefs. The Twelve Step programme is a spiritual programme and a 15 minute “Reflections” is held three mornings a week as part of the programme (and is optional on Fridays).Opportunities exist for those who so wish to explore aspects of faith with staff or those who lead “Reflections” and to attend one of the five churches in the town.

Contact Details:

Gloucester House
6 High Street
Highworth
Wiltshire
SN6 7AG

Telephone: 01793 762365