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Professionals working with children, young people, and families may encounter individuals affected by substance use, whether through a parent’s use or their own. Having the right knowledge and confidence is essential to enable meaningful and supportive conversations. That’s why, in November, we launched a series of specialist substance misuse training sessions designed to equip professionals with practical tools, up-to-date knowledge, and real insight from young people themselves.   Why Substance Use Training for Professionals Matters Understanding young people and substance use is vital, as early intervention and informed conversations can make a significant difference in a young person’s life. Our training programme was developed to help professionals: Build confidence in discussing drugs and alcohol with young people Learn about different types of substances and associated risks Understand the wider impact of parental drug and alcohol use on children Develop effective approaches to supporting young people affected by substance use   The Training Sessions We delivered 10 sessions in total, both online and in person, allowing professionals to engage in a way that suited them. Attendees could choose to attend individual sessions or complete the full programme. Each session focused on a key theme: Understanding Substance Use: Exploring different substances, their effects, and emerging trends in drug and alcohol use among young people. Supporting Young People: Practical strategies for engaging young people, building trust, and having meaningful conversations. The Impact of Parental Substance Use: Understanding how parental use affects children and young people, including developmental, psychological, and physical impacts. Reaching Professionals Across the Sector We’re proud to share that 111 professionals attended the training, representing a wide range of organisations working with children, young people and families. The sessions were delivered by Luke Adcock, Service Manager for The Matthew Project ’s YouCan and Unity services. With over 20 years of experience supporting young people affected by substance misuse, Luke brought a wealth of expertise, real-world insight, and practical guidance to each session.   What Professionals Said About the Training One of the strongest themes from the feedback was increased confidence. Whether it’s understanding the impact of substance use or knowing how to start a conversation, these skills are vital for anyone working with young people. By taking part in these training sessions, professionals are better equipped to support young people at risk of drug or alcohol misuse, signpost to support and create a safe environment for young people to talk. The feedback highlights the real value of creating space for learning, reflection, and discussion: “I felt like my knowledge was outdated, so it was good to have an updated conversation and to know what information is still relevant today.” “I have a better understanding of how conversations, particularly early on, can support a young person to make positive changes.” “I now have more knowledge and information, which I feel more confident in sharing with young people.” “It was easy to understand, delivered at a good pace… very informative and interesting!” “I definitely feel more confident in recognising the signs and behaviours of a child experiencing parental alcohol and drug misuse.” “I learned about services available for young people who have parents misusing substances, alongside gaining a greater understanding of the various impacts.”   Stay Updated on Future Training Opportunities If you work with children or young people and want to strengthen your understanding of substances, engage effectively, and explore the wider impact of parental use, keep an eye out for our future training sessions: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-matthew-project-119199569811

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!

If you’ve been supported by the YouCan service at The Matthew Project, you already know how powerful it can be to talk to someone who listens to what you’re going through. Living with or being affected by a family member’s drug or alcohol use can sometimes feel lonely. But you’re not alone, and now you have the chance to help others feel supported too. Peer Mentor Training - 25th February We’re excited to be running Peer Mentor Training on 25th February for young people aged 13+ who are currently supported by YouCan or have been supported in the past. This is your chance to use your experience to help other young people, while also building confidence, skills, resilience and friendships. What is peer support and why does it matter? Peer support for young people connects you with others who understand the challenges of having a family member struggling with substance misuse.   When young people support each other, it can help them: Feel less alone Build confidence and resilience Feel part of a supportive community Sometimes the people who understand us best are those who’ve been through something similar. That’s what makes peer mentoring so powerful. What does a YouCan Peer Mentor do? As a peer mentor, you’ll play an important role in helping other young people feel welcome in group activities. You might: Welcome new young people to activities and help ease nerves. Take leadership roles during sessions (like helping lead games or den building). Offer reassurance to young people who feel worried. Share ideas to help develop and improve the YouCan service. You won’t be expected to have all the answers, just to be kind, supportive, and willing to help others feel included. You will be well supported by the YouCan team. How being a peer mentor can help you Becoming a peer mentor isn’t just about helping others, it’s also a great opportunity for your own personal growth Many young people find it helps them: Improve communication and teamwork skills Build confidence and leadership experience Make new friends who understand them Gain experience for college, university, or job applications Boost their CV or personal statement It’s a rewarding experience that can help you grow. Who can join? You can sign up if you: Are aged 13 or over Are currently supported by YouCan  or have been supported previously. Want to help other young people affected by family substance use. Are interested in learning new skills and making a difference. How to get involved If you’d like to become a YouCan peer mentor , we’d love to hear from you. Speak to your YouCan worker, or email us at youcan@matthewproject.org We’ll help you sign up for the 25th of February Peer Mentor Training.

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

From Stigma to Support, Changing the Conversation on Substance Use Practice Week is a time for everyone in Norfolk who works with children and young people to learn, connect, and share ideas. This May (19th–23rd), things were a little different. Practice Week was led by young people from across Norfolk, exploring the Flourish framework theme: ‘Understood’. Young people said that they wanted to take the lead in helping adults understand their experiences - in their own words and from their own perspectives. At The Matthew Project, we worked with young people to create a short video called “From STIGMA TO SUPPORT: Changing the Conversation on Substance Use.” The video looks at how stigma can hold people back from asking for help when they need it most. It can feel isolating or even scary to speak up about substance use and that’s something we want to change. Through honest reflections from young people, the video highlights what services can do better to make support more accessible and non-judgemental. It also shows how The Matthew Project is working to challenge stigma and start open, compassionate conversations about substance use. By listening to young people, we can make sure everyone feels understood. 👉  Watch the full video:

"I was 15 when I was referred to the Matthew Project by the safeguarding lead at my school. I needed help to stop smoking cannabis. I'd been smoking for a couple of years and couldn’t do it on my own.   I live with my Mum. She and Dad split up. They were always arguing when they were together. I didn't like it. The memories of shouting and the fact that it didn’t leave much time for me was one of the reasons I started smoking. I felt like cutting and I did sometimes. I was getting bad marks at school, I didn’t want to go, I felt that school was the last place I wanted to be. Cannabis use was affecting my mental health, and I felt anxious and struggled to sleep.  I first smoked cannabis after school. Most of my friends had tried it. Then I would hang out with older mates, and sometimes we smoked at my home. It was hard to say no when they asked. My mum felt helpless to do anything. There was concern about county lines involvement. Then I became at risk of being excluded from school for inappropriate behaviour and no attendance. That's when I asked for help.  The first session with The Matthew Project was about them getting to know me and introducing me to the service. Building a trusting relationship is an important part of their initial work as young people can often feel uncomfortable sharing details about themselves with a professional, they just met.   They asked lots of questions to build a better picture of my life which helped them to create a support plan with me. We wrote down the goals that I wanted to achieve and what would help to get me there. My priorities were to cut down on substance use, improve my mental health, get support with my education, and improve my friend and family relationships. The process wasn’t too formal which put me at ease.   Me and my worker focused on improving my eating habits and sleeping pattern. I started exercising daily for 20 mins, came off my phone before bed and kept my room tidy. I started to feel less tired in the mornings...  Then my worker helped me get back into football which was great because I stopped wanting to smoke so much and I got my appetite back!   After checking with me, my worker also had a chat with my mum as I was worried about telling the older mates that they couldn't come to my house to smoke. It helped her understand how to help me and we have a much better relationship now.  Me and my mum found Unity service really helpful. I think not only did it help with my cannabis use but also with my anxiety and low mood... and it's kept me at school, so I stand a better chance of getting my GCSE's!  I have cut down on my usage massively, although I still smoke sometimes. Unity have kept my case open so I can continue with the support when I need it, which is really reassuring to know. Big thanks to everyone from The Matthew Project that helped me." Do you feel like your worried that your own drug/alcohol use is having a significant impact on you or others around you? If so, click on the button below to see how we can help.

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 Harm reduction advice  to help you stay safer Information about how substances affect the brain  and decision-making You can explore the new pages here: 👉 Ketamine 👉 Alcohol 👉 Cannabis 👉 Cocaine 👉 MDMA To help spread the word, we’ve also created stickers and posters  featuring QR codes that link directly to these pages. If you’d like to request a pack  to display or hand out at your school, youth group, or workplace, please get in touch - we’d love to share them with you.

"Ever since I was young my dad always suffered with a drinking issue. It’s not until I got older that I realised it was also affecting my life. His drinking became worse when I joined sixth form, which is when it began affecting my day to day life. I was turning up to school exhausted, not just physically but emotionally. This was having an effect on my school work and learning. I knew it was no longer something I could handle on my own and I had to talk to somebody, but I didn’t know who to reach out to. I spoke to my school and shortly they got me in contact with The Matthew Project. I felt very nervous to talk to somebody at the Matthew Project as I was always very apprehensive to tell people about my home life due to fear of judgement. However, as soon as I met Sharon I felt instantly put at ease and she felt like a friend that I could talk to about anything. Sharon helped me to cope with the issues not only going on at home but also the stresses of sixth form. Even when I didn’t want to talk about what was going on at home, she would always listen to anything I had to say and would always give me positive advice. Throughout my 2 years with Sharon I have managed to cope with my dad’s drinking so much better and he is now receiving help and has quit drinking. I finished sixth form and now I’m at university and I don’t think I would’ve reached this point if I hadn’t received help. I am so grateful for the Matthew Project but specifically for Sharon who always helped me over every hurdle I came across" Do you feel like your worried about a family members drug/alcohol use? If so click the button below to find out more on how we can help support you.