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We’re excited to announce that Dan Fisher, Lead Nurse for our Unity service, will be speaking at the regional public health conference on ketamine and synthetic opioids in Norwich. Organised by the Norfolk Drug and Alcohol Partnership (NDAP), the conference brings together experts, health professionals, the voice of lived experience, and frontline practitioners to explore emerging trends, clinical challenges, and harm reduction strategies related to ketamine and synthetic opioids. Showcasing Our Ketamine Information Page and QR Code Sticker At the event, Dan will be presenting our newly launched Ketamine Information page and QR code sticker, designed specifically for young people who are concerned about ketamine use. Developed with input from young people, the webpage features real-life stories, practical harm reduction advice, and clear information about the impact of ketamine on the bladder. The page helps young people access trusted and accurate information about ketamine. Dan will discuss why the page was created, how young people helped shape it, and the positive impact these resources are already having within the community. This event is open to healthcare professionals and service commissioners in the East of England only. Learn more about the conference and how to attend here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/norfolk-ketamine-and-synthetic-opioids-conference-tickets-1978413248283 If you haven’t already, you can view our Ketamine Information page here: https://www.matthewprojectyoungpeople.org/ketamine

Finding support for drug or alcohol concerns can feel overwhelming, especially if English isn’t your first language or if you’re new to the UK. That’s why we’re proud to share our new Asylum Seekers and Refugees leaflet, created to make it easier for young people to understand what support is available and how to access it. Whether you’re worried about your own drug or alcohol use, or you’re concerned about a parent or carer’s substance use, help is available and you don’t have to face it alone. Available in Six Languages To remove language barriers and improve access to support, the leaflet has been translated into six languages: Arabic Farsi Pashto Kurdish Kurmanji Kurdish Sorani Tigrinya This means more young people can read about our services in a language they feel comfortable with, helping them understand what support looks like before taking the next step. Co‑Produced with Young People and Professionals This leaflet was developed with: Professionals who work closely with asylum‑seeking and refugee young people Young people supported by organisations such as the International Youth Project Their feedback was invaluable. It shaped the language, imagery and content to ensure the leaflet is clear, welcoming and relevant. The result is a resource that explains our services in a straightforward way and reflects real questions and worries young people may have. Clear Answers to Real Questions The leaflet includes tailored questions and answers that speak directly to the concerns asylum‑seeking and refugee young people often raise. By addressing these questions, we hope to reduce anxiety and make reaching out feel safer and more manageable. View the Leaflet You can view this leaflet, along with all our other service leaflets, on the leaflet page of our website: https://www.matthewprojectyoungpeople.org/leaflets

In November, we launched three new specialist training sessions  for professionals who work with children, young people and families across Norfolk, and they’ve been a big success! People from lots of different organisations joined us, all wanting to learn how to support young people better when it comes to substances. We know that if you’re worried about drugs or alcohol, you might not want to go straight to a service. You might prefer to talk to a trusted adult  in your life, like a youth worker, teacher, support worker or family member. And that choice should always be yours. That’s why these sessions matter. They help professionals understand how to listen, support and respond in a way that feels non-judgemental, respectful and genuinely helpful . What were the sessions about? Professionals could choose to attend one, two, or all three sessions. Each one focused on a different (but connected) topic: Understanding substance use in young people This session explored different substances, possible risks, and what’s happening locally. It helps professionals understand the reality of substance use, rather than relying on myths or assumptions. Having better conversations This was all about how professionals talk to young people. The focus was on listening properly, avoiding judgement, and making sure young people feel heard and respected when talking about substances. When substances affect families The final session looked at the impact of a parent or carer’s substance use. This helps professionals understand how that might affect a young person’s wellbeing, so they can be more empathetic and offer the right support. What’s next? We’ve got six more sessions running before the end of March , and four are already sold out . If you’re a professional and want to book a session, you can do that here: https://matthewprojectyoungpeople.eventbrite.com

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 Unity Leaflet Poster On Track 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 Parent/Carer - YouCan Service Parent/Carer Leaflet Refugees & Asylum Seekers - translated into 6 languages English Arabic Farsi Kurdish Sorani Pashto (Afghan) Kurdish Kurmanji Tigrinya

On Track is a free service supporting young people in Norfolk to move closer to or get into education, training, employment, or volunteering, while offering guidance and practical help. Welcome to On Track! A free service that supports 13-24-year-olds to move closer to or get into education, training, employment, or volunteering. On this page, you can find out about the four projects young people can participate in. King's Lynn and West Norfolk SPACE A project to support young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training to access regular positive activities and community engagement. The activities will be in a small group of no more than ten young people who live in Kings Lynn and throughout West Norfolk. The aim of the project is to raise young people’s motivation and support them by building resilience to have hope for the future. Supported by Norfolk Community Foundation through Sir Norman Lamb Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund. King's Lynn & West Norfolk Coaching A project for young people aged 16-24 living in King's Lynn and West Norfolk. We offer 1-2-1 outreach coaching and follow on employability based activities and groups. The project aims to bridge the gap between disadvantaged young people and employment and training opportunities. This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Norwich SafeSPACE A project to support young people aged 13-18 who are not in education, training or employment (or at risk of) to access regular positive activities and community engagement. The activities will be in a small group of no more than ten young people and will be Norwich City based. The aim of the project is to raise young people’s motivation and support them by building resilience to have hope for the future. SafeSPACE is Norfolk Community Foundation Supporting Positive Activities and Community Engagement Fund. Central Gt Yarmouth Engagement Coaching Providing support to 14-19 year olds living in Nelson Ward, Great Yarmouth, who are either NEET (not in education, employment or training), or at higher risk of becoming so. Offering 1-2-1 coaching in school/college or outreach complimented by follow-on confidence and aspiration building activities, groups and community engagement. We are a delivery partner for NRThirty to ensure that young people in Central Great Yarmouth have access to the best possible support and opportunities. Thank you to our funders & partners 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 via email or over the phone - 01603 723845 Email us

Discover clear information for young people about alcohol, its effects, and how to make safer choices. Learn facts, tips, and where to find help. What you should know about Alcohol This page explains how alcohol can affect your body and share tips for having a safer night out. Young people helped create this page, working alongside the Unity service . Therefore, the stories featured relate specifically to Norfolk. ⚠️ Dangers of Mixing ⚠️ Combining alcohol with other drugs can worsen their harmful effects and increase the risk of overdose. When mixed with other substances it will affect your judgement, leading to risk taking and can cause harm to your developing brain and body. Alcohol and the Brain Alcohol is a depressant - not because it can make you cry, but because it slows your brain down. Messages between your brain and body start travelling in slow motion. That’s why your balance, coordination, and general “acting normal” skills can be affected. Alcohol reaches your brain in about 5–10 minutes after your first sip and can make you feel relaxed or euphoric at first ( due to dopamine release) but if you drink too much , or too often it can also affect your mood and behaviour , causing depression, anxiety, or aggression. Memory (Hippocampus) It also interferes with the hippocampus, the brain’s memory centre. That’s what causes blackouts or difficulty remembering things after drinking. Decision Making (Frontal Lobe) The first part of your brain alcohol hits is the frontal lobe (the decision-making part of your brain), that’s why you might feel extra confident and chatty. Basically, alcohol makes risky choices feel easier. Movement and Balance (Cerebellum) Alcohol affects the Cerebellum, which controls movement, balance, and coordination. This is why people may stumble on or slur their words. Brainstem (breathing and heartrate) The brainstem controls vital functions like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, swallowing and consciousness. If you drink too much, your brain can slow so much that it forgets to tell your body to breathe, and your gag reflex can stop working so if you vomit, you can’t cough or clear your airway . This is like drowning in your own vomit , which is why alcohol poisoning is so dangerous. Hover over the boxes below to see more details. Impact on the Teenage Brain The brain continues to develop into a person's mid-20s , with a critical period occurring during adolescence (a period of rapid brain development). Alcohol is a neurotoxin that can interfere with this process and alter the way the brain is wired , potentially causing long-lasting changes in brain structure and function: Alcohol can interfere with the development of the frontal lobe , which is crucial for impulse control, planning, and judgement. GABA When you drink alcohol , it increases the activity of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) a neurotransmitter that slows down brain activity. This can depress your brainstem - that’s the bit in charge of keeping you alive by keeping your heart beating and your lungs breathing without you having to think about it! Alcohol doesn’t create GABA; it just makes its effects stronger, like turning up your brain’s “relax mode.” When this happens, your thinking, movement, and reflexes slow down . Risks of using Alcohol Hover over the photos below, to see the risks of Alcohol. Physical Raises heart rate and blood pressure, straining the heart. Weakens memory, immunity, and nutrient absorption, increasing illness risk. Disrupts deep and REM sleep, causing fatigue and poor concentration. Agitation Feeling Disconnected or Psychotic Symptoms Low Mood or Depression Panic Attacks Memory Problems Social Lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment, causing arguments, misunderstandings, or risky behaviour. Long-term heavy drinking can damage health and strain relationships. Frequent drinking can cause mood swings, anxiety, and irritability. Can worsen depression and anxiety and may create a cycle of emotional dependence. Emotional Safer Night Out - Stay Safe Tips For You and Your Mates Planning a night out? Here are some helpful tips to help you stay safe and enjoy yourself. Press the arrow on the slideshow to see information for before, during, and after your night out. Before a Night Out Set a limit. Excessive drinking harms your health, relationships, and sexual safety. It can also lead to poor decisions, aggression, and memory loss. Setting a limit helps you stay in control. Keeping within your limit reduces the chance of injuries and dangerous situations caused by intoxication. Stay hydrated. Alcohol is a diuretic - it makes your body lose water through increased urination. This leads to dehydration, which causes thirst, headaches, and hangovers. Charge your phone before heading out, and bring a portable charger if you can. In case you need to call anyone in an emergency or to get a lift home Eat a proper meal. Eating foods rich in protein, fat, and carbohydrates slows the absorption of alcohol, reducing how quickly you get drunk. This helps prevent a sudden spike in blood alcohol levels and protects the stomach lining from irritation. Sort your journey home in advance. Whether it’s public transport, a trusted taxi, or a designated sober driver. Young People's Stories Watch young people from our Unity service share their real stories and perspectives on alcohol - honest and straight from their experience. Alcohol Webpage Video Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Young person - 1 I started using alcohol because it was accessible. I knew it wouldn’t necessarily help, but at the time it felt like it would. At first, it was really good, but then I ended up in hospital and that’s when I realised things were starting to get worse. That’s also when I started working with the Matthew Project. It definitely made my mental health worse, because I noticed that whenever something was wrong, I used more and it didn’t help. The moment I realised I needed support was when I ended up in hospital after a drinking binge. The Matthew Project helped me in multiple ways: harm reduction and just nice having someone decent to talk to. My advice to someone else struggling would be: talk to someone and try to understand what you’re doing and why. Things for me now… I haven’t drunk any alcohol for about a month - that was the thing I was most worried about. I talk to my mum more about things now, and I think she worries less. I don’t go to CAMHS anymore because I feel I cope better, but I know to go back if things ever get worse. Video Prefer watching instead of reading? Check out this short video about Alcohol to see how it affects people and get the facts you need. Alcohol - Respect Your Brain Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied About The Matthew Project If you’re under 19 and using ketamine or other substances, our Unity service is here to support you. You won’t get in trouble for reaching out. Click the button below to learn more about the Unity service. If you are 19 or over, you will need to contact Change Grow Live. Unity Service