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Here is a real story from a young person within our service, sharing their experience with ketamine. Their journey highlights how use can develop over time and the impact it can have on wellbeing, relationships, and everyday life. At The Matthew Project , we support young people at all stages of their journey, offering a safe, non-judgemental space to talk openly and explore the changes they want to make. By sharing this story, we hope to raise awareness and help others recognise when they might benefit from support. “I first started doing Ketamine when I was 15 as just another drug i wanted to try for fun with friends. I got such a euphoric high from it and found myself drawn more to it than other drugs. It was so fun I went from doing it at events now and again to getting through multiple g’s a week. It was often hard to stop buying it as i had friends around me who loved it just as much. I didn’t realise I had a problem until i started doing it every other day. It was becoming an obsession in my head, i found myself doing it around friends who didn’t touch drugs, blowing any money i had on it and using it alone in my room. I reached out for help when I began stealing money from my parents to afford it and taking amounts of my friend’s ketamine to get a bigger high for myself.          My tolerance grew, my cravings grew but the fun of the high shrank. I would be out of it for hours and be left tired and low, unable to do my day to day activities. Ketamine affects my friendships, my college work and I found myself distant from family, especially when I was always doing it out with others or in my room alone.  When I am feeling low or stressed, I think about how good i would feel on it and my mind often try’s to find excuses to buy myself some. One of the biggest challenges I faced was discipline; I would say yes at any opportunity or go straight back to it when something went wrong in my life, it was hard to finally choose to cut myself off.  The Matthew Project has helped me through meeting weekly to talk about my usage and the ways in which Ketamine created problems in my life.  I have gained a bigger awareness on the harmful impact it has on my body and mind. The Matthew Project has helped me find other ways I can find highs in my life which don’t come from drugs and understand the way my addiction has affected me over the past year.  My advice to anyone struggling with Ketamine use is it’s not silly to ask for support. I used to think I didn’t have a problem and I could stop whenever I felt like it. But i never stopped and i struggled to manage my well-being. Talk to people because then it gets easier to find solutions on how to make a change.  I feel I am doing okay now. I’m not using it as often as I used to and I am learning about myself and what how want to shape my future, moving away from ketamine use. I’ve distanced myself from certain friends who made it harder to quit and I started ignoring my dealers.  I found being around people who didn’t use Ketamine and instead found fun in simple activities like spending time with each other was the most positive impact on my drug reduction. I found enjoyment in the little things I forgot I loved.” If you’d like to learn more about ketamine, including its effects and risks, you can visit our information page here: https://www.matthewprojectyoungpeople.org/ketamine If you’re under 19, living in Norfolk, and feeling worried about your own drug or alcohol use, our Unity service is here to support you. You can find out more about the support available here: https://www.matthewprojectyoungpeople.org/unity

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 a mix of group activities  and one-to-one support , we help young people develop confidence, build new skills, and explore future opportunities in a supportive, non-judgemental environment. March was a busy and positive month, with young people getting involved in a wide range of activities across Norfolk. Here’s what we got up to: Early March Activities Jewellery Making – 2nd March King’s Lynn & West Norfolk SPACE Group Young people got creative with Ali from CREA, designing and making their own jewellery pieces. It was a great opportunity to express creativity, try something new, and take home something they’d made themselves. Cooking Session – 5th March Norwich SafeSPACE Our Norwich SafeSPACE group made chicken and tuna pasta bake with homemade garlic bread. A huge thank you to Steven, our Hospitality Lead, for delivering such an engaging and hands-on session. Pizza Making – 9th March King’s Lynn & West Norfolk SPACE Group The group had a fantastic time creating their own pizzas from scratch. Another big thank you to Steven for sharing his skills and making the session fun and interactive. Visit to The Horstead Centre – 6th March Joint On Track Groups Young people from across our On Track projects came together for an exciting day at The Horstead Centre. Activities included team challenges, the vertical challenge, zip line, archery, and even learning how to build a fire. The day ended perfectly with marshmallows and hot chocolate around the fire. One young person shared: “The staff are nice and the food. I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone. I’ve enjoyed the social bit.” Mid-March Highlights Employability Visit – 12th March Norwich SafeSPACE Young people visited Adrian Flux Insurance Services, where they gained insight into office life, learned about the insurance industry, and picked up valuable interview tips. Nibble & Natter – 19th March Norwich SafeSPACE This relaxed session focused on socialising, games, and connection. Alongside snacks and catch-ups, we introduced our new hygiene station , offering items like shampoo and body wash. Young people are encouraged to take what they need, when they need it. If you’d like to donate, please get in touch.   End of March Drug & Alcohol Awareness Session – 24th March Norwich SafeSPACE We wrapped up the month with an engaging awareness session, helping young people understand the effects of substances in a safe and interactive way. As always, the beer goggles were a hit and sparked some great conversations.   Want to Get Involved? If you’re aged 13–24 , living in Norfolk , and not currently in education, employment or training, or you feel like you might be struggling, our On Track team  is here to support you. We offer a safe space to build confidence, meet new people, and take positive steps towards your future. 👉 Find out more and make a referral here: https://www.matthewprojectyoungpeople.org/on-track

Last week, staff members Josie, Kev and Léa took 10 young people from our YouCan service at The Matthew Project on a two-night residential to How Hill and it’s safe to say the trip was nothing short of incredible. This was our second visit to How Hill, having last been in 2024, and we were so excited to return. From the moment we arrived, it felt like something special. Day 1: Settling in and Exploring We arrived at the house at 10:30am, where the group got to know the house rules, settle into their bedrooms, and enjoy some time in the garden. We were warmly welcomed by Becky from How Hill, who stayed with us throughout the trip and shared her incredible knowledge. The gardens at How Hill are beautiful, and it didn’t take long for the young people to make the most of the space - playing frisbee, running around, and organising a game of manhunt together. After lunch, we headed out for dyke dipping, where the group discovered a variety of creatures, including water beetles. Everyone had a turn using nets in a figure-of-eight motion to explore what was beneath the surface, carefully transferring their findings into trays before returning them safely to the water. We followed this with a nature trail, setting up cameras along the way to see what wildlife we might capture later in the week. Back at the house, Becky taught the group how to weave - another new skill to try. Dinner that evening was a big hit: chicken goujons, wedges and peas, followed by chocolate sponge cake with chocolate sauce. After some free time, we ended the day watching a truly beautiful sunset together. Day 2: Adventure and Creativity After breakfast at 8:30am, we set off on a boat trip to Barton Broad. The sunshine stayed with us, and we were lucky enough to spot swans and kingfishers. Becky’s expert knowledge of bird calls made the experience even more special. Back on land, we got creative with clay modelling, shaping animals and incorporating natural materials like sticks and acorns. After lunch, it was time to try thatching. Splitting into two groups, the young people worked together to build their own roofs - successfully tested when Becky poured water over them while they stood underneath. Both teams stayed completely dry! The afternoon continued with den building in the forest and owl pellet dissection, where the group carefully examined and identified tiny bones. Dinner that evening was sausages, mash, roast potatoes, vegetables, and gravy. The group couldn’t decide, so the kitchen kindly did both mash and roast potatoes! We were also treated to sponge cake with sprinkles for dessert, which went down brilliantly. The food across the trip was a real highlight and something everyone appreciated. That evening, over hot chocolate, we had some powerful conversations. We spoke about how we apply for funding to make opportunities like this possible. The young people then led the discussion and spoke about the impact the activities have had on them. Here are some of the things they shared: “I have met my second family here.”   “This is my long lost family now.”   “I have a new found confidence that I didn't know I had.”   “There’s been lots of new opportunities for me… I’ve tried new foods and new activities I hadn’t before.”   “It’s been nice getting some fresh air.”   “I loved joke time at dinner!”   “Thank you for letting me come to How Hill and teaching me to play frisbee.”   Day 3: Final Memories Our final morning came around far too quickly. Everyone worked together to pack up and get ready for the journey home. Before leaving, we spent time in the woods creating environmental art using natural materials - crafting everything from owls to deer. We also took part in orienteering, using maps to navigate the area, before finishing with lunch and some final free time in the garden. At 1pm, it was time to head home - happy and full of memories that will last a lifetime. A Trip to Remember Across the three days, the group took part in a huge range of activities, from den building and owl pellet dissection to clay modelling, orienteering and a boat trip on the Broads. Evenings were filled with frisbee, board games, laughter, and beautiful sunsets. The impact of the trip didn’t stop there. We received some lovely feedback from parents and carers: “Just wanted to say thank you to you all!! The boys haven't stopped talking about the residential! Thank you all for giving them that chance… they will never forget it!” “Thank you so much for taking them on the residential. They had a great time and loved the food! I really appreciate all you do and the opportunity for the children to gain trust in trained adults and have amazing experiences. I did not think they would be at this stage a year later and you have been a huge part of that.” We are so proud of every young person who came on this trip, for their willingness to try new things and the way they supported one another throughout. Find out more about the YouCan service and how we support young people by visiting our website.

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Information to help professionals regarding young people around drugs and alcohol. Professional's support Further down this webpage, you'll find a referral form for our services. If a young person is not yet ready to engage with us directly and would prefer to speak to a trusted adult such as yourself, we can offer confidential advice and guidance to help you support them more effectively. Our Support Includes: Confidential Online Call If you’re worried about a young person who isn't ready to engage, we can offer advice without a referral. Our administrator can arrange a call with a specialist practitioner. Click the button below to view our contact details. Young People's Screening Tool If you are working with a child or young person who is misusing drugs or alcohol, using a screening tool can be a helpful first step in starting a conversation about their substance use. Click the button below to access the screening tool. Drug & Alcohol Awareness Training Drug and alcohol awareness sessions for staff working with vulnerable young people in a range of settings including, residential settings, Children's Services, schools and mental health. Click the button below to view our contact details. Targeted Group Sessions For targeted groups of young people who have increased vulnerability to substance misuse we can provide structured and unstructured educational sessions tailored to the needs of each group. Click the button below to view our group offer. Contact Us Screening Tool Group Offer Contact Us Referrals to our Services To refer a young person you are working with, please use the referral forms below. If you need support, have any questions about the forms, or are unsure whether a referral is appropriate, we recommend contacting us to discuss. All three of our young people’s services are voluntary. This means that children and young people must understand what the service offers before a referral is made and must give their consent to receive support. Our YouCan & Unity services can also offer brief interventions to young people who may not require ongoing support. This can be up to 3 sessions. YouCan This service is for: Age under 19's Living in Norfolk Impacted by family/relative drug/alcohol use If you would like to refer an young person affected by a family members drug/alcohol use, please use the referral form below. YouCan Referral Form Unity This service is for: Age under 19's Living in Norfolk Want to stop/reduce drugs/alcohol use If you would like to refer a young person regarding their drug/alcohol use, please use the referral form below. Unity Referral Form OnTrack This service is for: 13 - 24 year olds Living in Norfolk At risk/not in education or employment If you would like to refer a young person who would like stupport to move closer to education, training or employment, please use the referral form below. OnTrack Referral Form Newsletter To keep up to date with what our young people's team has been up to, subscribe to our professional's monthly newsletter using the button below. Newsletter Sign-Up Working with Families We provide comprehensive support for our service users which can incorporate support for parents and carers. You can find out more about what we cover via the parents info page using the button below. Parent Info Getting Appropriate Accurate Advice and Information We have a resources page where we link to relevant resources to help better inform and support young people, parents and carers. If you work for an organisation that you think would benefit the young people we work with, please get in touch. Resources FAQ's Do you work collaboratively with other services? Yes, we actively engage with other service providers who are supporting a young person. What is the referral criteria? - Under 19 years old - Living in Norfolk - Either 1) Affected by a family member's drug or alcohol use or 2) would like to reduce their own use How do I make a referral? Here is a link to our referral form - Or you can phone us on our advice line: 0800 970 4866 Do I need consent from a young person to do a referral? Yes, we will not be able to accept a referral if consent has been obtained from the young person. How long is the support for? We tailor the support we provide to individuals based on their specific needs and circumstances. Do you provide an aftercare services for individuals who have completed the programme? After a young person has completed their time with our service, we will conduct a follow-up phone check on how they are getting on. Additionally, they have the option to connect with us through our live chat for support. Do you offer services for family members of individuals struggling with addiction? We have a parent support group for parents/carers of children who are under 19. Does a young person's parents/carers need to know that they are receiving support from you? If a young person is under 13, they will need consent from their parent/carer to receive support. If they are over 13 years old and competent, we can support them without their parents' consent. Can I discuss a young person I am worried about before referring them? Yes, you can chat to us via the live chat, advice line or via email - Contact Us | Unity (matthewprojectyoungpeople.org)

Support for those worried about a family member or relative using drugs/alcohol Welcome to YouCan! YouCan is a free and confidential service for children and young people under 19 in Norfolk who are affected by a family member’s drug or alcohol use. You might feel worried or scared about their safety, feel like you have to take care of them or hide things, change your own behaviour to avoid conflict, and feel alone about what’s happening at home. If someone you live with is drinking alcohol or using drugs and it’s affecting how you feel, think, or live day to day, YouCan is here to help you. What YouCan Offers Here's how we can support you: One-to-one support that’s personal to you We’ll take time to listen and understand what’s going on for you, working together to build confidence and help you cope with difficult feelings and challenges. Support that fits you We can meet in person, for example at school or in the community, somewhere you feel comfortable. We can also chat by phone, text, or email. Support to explain things to others If you want help talking to your family, carers, school, or other professionals, we can support you with that too. Linking you to other services If you need extra support, like help with housing, mental health, or other challenges, we can point you to the right people or services. Activities Alongside one-to-one support, you can take part in activities that help build confidence, connect with other young people who have similar experiences, and develop new skills. These activities take place during the school holidays. If you’re 13 or older , you can choose to become a peer mentor . Peer mentors help support activities and other young people. It’s a rewarding experience that helps you grow personally, connect with others, and make a positive difference. If you’re 11 or older , you can also join our YouCan Advisory Group . This is a space where young people share their views and help shape how the YouCan service works. You’ll work alongside staff to help make decisions and improvements. Get support To access support, click the button below to fill out our referral form. A social worker, teacher, or youth worker can complete it for you, or contact us for help. Click Here Contact us Still unsure? Would you like to talk to someone before deciding if you want to receive support? You can chat with us through our anonymous Live Chat, via email, or over the phone. Click Here