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At The Matthew Project , our On Track service supports young people across Norfolk who are not currently in education, employment or training (NEET), or who may be at risk of disengaging. Through group activities and one-to-one support, the team helps young people build confidence, learn new skills and explore future opportunities. February was a busy and exciting month, with young people getting involved in everything from creative workshops and careers events to wellbeing sessions and trips out. Here’s a look at what happened. Early February   2nd February - Creative Image Transfer Workshop (King’s Lynn) The month started with a creative session for young people from King’s Lynn & West Norfolk SPACE. Ali from CREA delivered a hands-on image transfer workshop, where 10 young people experimented with creative techniques and made their own artwork. A big thank you to Georgie from the YMCA for coming along to support the session and help make it such a positive experience. 5th February – Mental Health Focus Group (Norwich) Young people from Norwich SafeSPACE took part in a mental health focus group with Mental Health UK. Four young people shared their thoughts and experiences to help improve mental health support for young people. It was a great opportunity for them to have their voices heard.   Mid-February 10th February – Careers & Apprenticeship Event (King’s Lynn) Five young people from King’s Lynn & West Norfolk SPACE attended a Careers and Apprenticeship Event in King’s Lynn, where they had the chance to meet over 45 local employers. Events like this help young people discover different career paths, learn about apprenticeships and think about their next steps. 12th February – Healthy Relationships & Sexual Health Session (Norwich) Six young people from Norwich SafeSPACE took part in an informal and informative session delivered by The Magdalene Group. The session covered healthy relationships, contraception and sexual health, creating a relaxed space where young people could ask questions and learn useful information. A big thank you to Iulia and Aggie for leading such an important session.   Half-Term Adventures 18th February - Trip to the Sealife Centre (Great Yarmouth) During half-term, 11 young people from SafeSPACE and the Central Great Yarmouth Coaching project visited SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth. The group saw some amazing sea creatures and finished the trip with chips for lunch - a great way to end the day. Trips like this are a brilliant chance for young people to try new experiences and build friendships with people from different areas of Norfolk.   Late February 25th February – Bowling Trip (King’s Lynn) Four young people from King’s Lynn & West Norfolk SPACE went on a bowling trip. 26th February – Gardening and Planting (Norwich) Five young people from Norwich SafeSPACE took part in a gardening session. The group decorated plant pots and planted house plants to take home. They also planted potatoes in a grow bag in the car park, which everyone hopes will grow well in the coming months. If they do, the potatoes will be used in the kitchen at our Oak Street centre! Want to Get Involved? If you’re aged 13–24 and living in Norfolk, and you’re not currently in education, employment or training (or you feel like you’re struggling with it), the On Track team may be able to support you. You can learn more about the service and make a referral here : https://www.matthewprojectyoungpeople.org/on-track

Talking to our children about drugs and alcohol can seem daunting so many of us put it off or avoid it completely. We worry about when and how to talk to them because it can feel awkward, scary, or even unnecessary. However, we know from research that children who have open, honest conversations with their parents are less likely to engage in risky substance use. While schools discuss drugs and alcohol as part of PSHE, parents remain an influential source of information and values.  If you can instigate an open dialogue with your child, it can help them to understand risks and legal realities of substances, feel comfortable asking questions, develop the confidence to make positive choices and most importantly come to you if something goes wrong. Our Unity service is here to support you with honest information on the risks of different substances and support for your child or yourself if you need it.  You don’t need to be an expert (we can help there) you just need to be approachable and honest. Start the dialogue early and keep it going, you don’t need to wait until your child is a teenager. At primary age keep it simple and safety-focused, for example that medicines are only safe when given by a trusted adult. When curiosity increases in the teenage years you can discuss peer pressure and how to handle it, what alcohol and drugs do to the brain and body and about UK laws. As they get older focus on harm reduction and real-life situations such as how to stay safe at parties and look after your friends.  Make it a conversation, not a lecture, young people switch off quickly if they feel judged. Try to ask open questions, listen without interrupting, avoid scare tactics and stay calm, even if you’re shocked. If they think you’ll overreact, they might not come to you next time. Be honest about your own choices around drugs and alcohol, you don’t need to share every detail of your teenage years and certainly be careful not to glamourise, but honesty builds trust. It’s important that we model the behaviour we want to see, children notice how adults use alcohol and cannabis at home.  Set clear expectations, children feel safer when boundaries are clear, it’s okay to be explicit about your family rules on alcohol and drugs and what will happen if those rules are broken. Having said that it’s important that they know safety comes first and they can call you for help without fear of immediate punishment (not the same as lack of consequences). A “no questions asked” lift home rule can encourage safe decisions if things go wrong on a night out.  It’s good to be aware of possible warning signs of substance use. Changes that don’t always mean substance use but are important to watch for are sudden mood swings, secretive behaviour, new friendship groups with no explanation. Coming home smelling of alcohol or smoke, new problems at school. If changes make you concerned, stay calm and start a conversion.  If your child has already tried something don’t panic, thank them for being honest (if they have been). Focus on how much you love them, their safety and what they learned. It might be good to discuss how they’ll handle similar situations next time. If you’re worried about ongoing use, support them to seek support.  A one-off chat probably isn’t enough, hopefully you’ll be able to create an environment where questions are welcome, mistakes can be discussed safely and your child knows you’re on their side. Regular, possibly shorter low-pressure conversations maybe while driving or walking are often good.  Remember your relationship is the strongest protective factor your child has so try to preserve it as much as it depends on you, for the majority of young people “this too shall pass”.   For more information on specific substances, Unity has information pages on Ketamine , Alcohol , Cocaine , Cannabis and MDMA . These webpages provide practical guidance on risks, effects, and harm reduction strategies. The safest way to avoid risks is not using substances, but knowledge helps your child make safer choices.    Support for Parents   If your child is misusing substances, The Matthew Project runs a parents group once a month, offering a safe space to connect with others in similar situations. To join, email: unity@matthewproject.org

Are you a young person currently supported by the YouCan service , or have you been supported in the past? Do you want to help shape YouCan so it can provide the best possible support to young people?  The YouCan Advisory Group gives you the chance to share your ideas, make real changes, and have your voice heard. You’ll work alongside our team to help improve the service for other young people affected by a family member’s drug or alcohol use.  The next meeting is on Tuesday 10th March, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm , and we’d love for you to join us!    What is the YouCan Advisory Group?   The YouCan Advisory Group is a space where young people help shape how the YouCan service works. It’s all about listening to your ideas, experiences, and suggestions so we can improve support for young people affected by substance use in their families and reach those who need our support.  This group is open to young people aged 11+ who are currently supported by YouCan or have been in the past. When you join, you’ll work alongside staff to help make decisions and improvements.    What happens at meetings?   Meetings usually take place every two months online and last around one hour .  Sometimes, if we’re working on a project together, we might meet more often. Occasionally, we meet in person or take part in a fun activity as a thank you for your time and input.    What will you have your say on?   You don’t need to have all the answers, just your honest views. Together, we might explore things like:  How can YouCan be more inclusive and welcoming for everyone?  How can we reach more young people who need support for a family member’s substance use?  How can we make social media, leaflets, and our website more young-people friendly?  What works well already, and what could be better?  Your experiences can help improve support for other young people in similar situations.    What’s expected from you?   If you join the advisory group, we ask that you:  Care about making a positive difference for other young people  Share your ideas, opinions, and experiences  Work with us to improve the service  Try to attend sessions every two months  There’s no pressure. If you miss a session because of exams, college, work, or life, that’s completely fine.    What’s in it for you?   Joining the YouCan Advisory Group can help you:  Meet other young people with similar experiences  Build confidence speaking in a group  Gain experience for your CV, college, sixth form, university, or job applications  Have a safe space to talk about things that matter to you  Help improve support for yourself and other young people  Most importantly, your voice can help shape real change .    Want to take part?   If you’d like to join the YouCan Advisory Group, speak with your YouCan worker or contact us: youcan@matthewproject.org   We’d love to hear from you!

The Matthew Project is a Norfolk charity offering free, confidential support for young people dealing with issues around drugs, alcohol, or family substance use. Our services include YouCan (help for under-19s affected by a family member’s substance use), Unity (support for under-19s impacted by personal or others' substance use), and On Track (guidance for 13-24s facing barriers to education or employment). Supporting Young People Across Norfolk Find the right support for you Our Young People Services Take a look at our three services and see which one could help you. Read More YouCan If you’re worried about a family member or relative using drugs or alcohol, use the button below to see how we can help. This service is for: Aged under 19 Living in Norfolk Impacted by family/relative drug/alcohol use Read More Unity If you're worried that your own drug or alcohol use is having a significant impact on you or others, click the button below to see how we can help. This service is for: Aged under 19 Living in Norfolk Wanting to stop or reduce their drug or alcohol use Read More On Track If you’re facing barriers that make it difficult to find or stay in education or employment, use the button below to see how we can help. This service is for: Aged 13–24 Living in Norfolk At risk of, or not currently in, education or employment Accessibility We’re here to make every young person feel welcome and supported. Whether you meet us in person or online, we aim to make accessing our services straightforward. Click the button below to find out more. Accessibility Support What's New Our latest news, events, and updates. New Substance Info Pages for Young People The Flourish Survey 2024 revealed a statistic that almost 1 in 5 young people in Norfolk said they have no one or nowhere to get information about alcohol use. At The Matthew Project, we wanted to help change that. With the input of young people, we’ve developed five brand-new substance information pages on our website designed specifically for young people who want clear, honest, and reliable information. These pages cover: Real stories from young people we support Har February Highlights from the On Track Team At The Matthew Project , our On Track service supports young people across Norfolk who are not currently in education, employment or training (NEET), or who may be at risk of disengaging. Through group activities and one-to-one support, the team helps young people build confidence, learn new skills and explore future opportunities. February was a busy and exciting month, with young people getting involved in everything from creative workshops and careers events to wellbeing How to Talk to Your Child About Drugs and Alcohol Talking to our children about drugs and alcohol can seem daunting so many of us put it off or avoid it completely. We worry about when and how to talk to them because it can feel awkward, scary, or even unnecessary. However, we know from research that children who have open, honest conversations with their parents are less likely to engage in risky substance use. While schools discuss drugs and alcohol as part of PSHE, parents remain an influential source of information and v Have Your Say. Make a Difference. Join the YouCan Advisory Group Are you a young person currently supported by the YouCan service , or have you been supported in the past? Do you want to help shape YouCan so it can provide the best possible support to young people? The YouCan Advisory Group gives you the chance to share your ideas, make real changes, and have your voice heard. You’ll work alongside our team to help improve the service for other young people affected by a family member’s drug or alcohol use. The next meeting is on Tuesda 1 2 3 Your Stories Read real stories from young people like you. YouCan Service "The Matthew Project and all of the workers there have helped me over the years so much and i wouldn't have been able to cope with certain situations without their support. I have always felt comfortable and listened to." "They listen and give you good feedback and don't try to pretend that things are ok but actually have a human conversation and you feel like you're actually being listened to." "I feel like i understand how it affects me. She made me realise how well I can cope with it and if needed I can message her. Now I feel comfortable with talking to my dad about his alcohol abuse knowing my worker has comforted me with it and given me advice on how to deal with the affect it has on me." Have Your Say Your thoughts and ideas help us make our services better and easier to access for young people. Click the button below to find out more about the different ways you can have your say. Have Your Say Social Media Take a look at what we’ve been up to over on our Instagram page! Load more

Resources to help inform you and keep you safe around drug and alcohol use. Leaflets and Posters Download and print our leaflets and posters to use in your school, workplace, community centre, or anywhere that young people may want to learn more about our services. YouCan Leaflet Poster Parent's Leaflet Unity Leaflet Poster Parent's Leaflet On Track General Leaflet King's Lynn and West Norfolk Coaching Kings Lynn and West Norfolk SPACE Great Yarmouth Support Norwich Safe Space Confidentiality Is it safe to talk here? Leaflet Substance Information Ketamine Poster Substance Information Support for Professionals Professionals' Poster Refugees & Asylum Seekers - translated into 6 languages English Arabic Farsi Kurdish Sorani Pashto (Afghan) Kurdish Kurmanji Tigrinya

Information to help parents and careres who have a child struggling with drugs/alcohol or is affected by family use. Support for Parents and Carers Worried about your child? You're not alone. At The Matthew Project, we understand that seeing your child struggle - whether with their own substance use , the impact of a family member’s substance use , or challenges with education and employment - can be stressful and confusing. Our Young People’s Services are here to support both your child and your family, helping you navigate these challenges with care, respect, and confidentiality. Support for Adults As a parent, support is available to help you. Here are two ways we can provide assistance: Monthly Parents' Group The Matthew Project runs a parents' group for sharing experiences, getting support, and practical guidance in a safe, confidential space. The group meets once a month on a Thursday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at our centre on Oak Street. Sign-Up Form Next Steps: Adults in Recovery If you are an adult in recovery from substance use yourself, our Next Steps service offers a welcoming and supportive community space. Looking after yourself is an important part of supporting your child. About Next Steps Our Young People's Services We have three young people services - YouCan, Unity and OnTrack YouCan Affected by a Family Member's Substance Use When a family member uses drugs or alcohol, it can affect children and young people, leaving them worried, confused, or alone. YouCan offers a safe, confidential space for young people to explore their feelings. About YouCan Worried About Their Own Substance Use If your child is worried about their own drug or alcohol use. The service offers confidential, non-judgemental support to understand choices, reduce harm, and make positive changes. About Unity Unity Not in Education, Training or Employment If your child is struggling with school, college, or work, On Track can help. The team supports them to build confidence, life skills, and work towards education, training, or employment goals. About OnTrack OnTrack Useful Resources Here are three resources you might find helpful as a parent. Guidance Guidance for parents and carers on talking to your child about substances Guidance for parents Substance Information Clear information on common substances, including alcohol, cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, and MDMA. Resources FAQs Answers to frequently asked questions from parents and carers about our services. Parent FAQ's Referral As a parent or carer, you can refer your child to our services (with their consent). Referral Forms Contact us If you’re unsure which service is right for your child, we can talk this through with you. Contact Us “When shut out of your son’s life, and all doors seemed closed, The Matthew Project opened theirs. A big thank you. As a parent I was desperate, how must my son feel?” Parent/Carer