SIAS (Solihull Integrated Addiction Services) is a partnership between Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Welcome, Aquarius, Changes UK and Urban Hear. Commissioned by Solihull Council, the partners work seamlessly together to deliver treatment, awareness-raising and support services designed to reduce the negative impacts of addiction on the lives of those who live, work or go to school in the borough.
SIAS offers treatment for all residents across Solihull, irrespective of age, gender, or background. Addiction can happen to anyone, and we are here to help. Based at the Newington Centre, our dedicated teams work together to support those who are suffering from drug, alcohol or gambling addiction and we are also there to support families affected by substance misuse.
Dame Carol Black’s recent reports on the consequences of years of inadequate funding for drug and alcohol services resulted in the Government pledging to invest nearly £800m into improving and broadening the Trust’s addictions services offer. Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust allocated funding for the development of the Newington Centre and on the 29 June 2022, the newly refurbished centre was proudly opened by Dame Carol herself.
Simon Glover, SIAS Programme Lead said: “The refurbishment includes added extras that are above and beyond what the previous centre could offer, staff wellbeing has also played a huge part in the overall redesign. Service users were also involved in choosing the artwork that is now proudly displayed at the centre. Aside from the visual improvements, we now have additional space to host an extensive programme of events for our service users and we can now host mutual aid meetings/ partner events to help networking. We also have more clinic rooms and as a result, we can see more people at the centre on a one to one basis and in groups”.
Dr Ed Day, UK government’s drug Recovery Champion said: “The advancements made to our Newington Centre will help support the most vulnerable residents in the community, aiding in their journey to recovery. The concept of recovery involves more than just control over substance use. It requires better mental and physical health, but just as importantly it involves the development of a meaningful life. The centre’s vision is to ensure that people in Solihull who need support with drug, alcohol or gambling addictions have easy access to appropriate treatment and recovery services, thereby reducing the health, social and economic harms that addictions can cause. I believe that the refurbishment will only enhance the high-quality care our teams already provide here at the centre”.
