Birchwood at Kaleidoscope House

26/11/2025

An alert about the mixture has been issued by a Merseyside organisation

26/11/2025

We welcome all family / care givers to our online support group . Harm reduction advice , peer support and signposting 🙏 7-8 pm every Thursday

22/11/2025

Fantastic news ! Kaleidoscope continues to focus on reducing harm and saving lives ♥️

What do you think?

20/11/2025

Tonight we have the family support group , we will be looking at autism with our guest speaker 🙏 understanding neurodiversity and substance use (ketamine)

20/11/2025

Messages for people who use drugs:

Drug supplies change, best test first
What’s in your drugs can change frequently and your dealer doesn’t always know what’s in them or how powerful they may be. Your dealer may choose not to tell you what’s been put into the drugs or how much.

Best start with a small amount to test the effect.

Look out for your mates
If possible, use with your mates. Using alone is much more risky because there is no one to look out for you if you overdose.

Look out for the signs of overdose
An overdose won’t always look the same but some of the signs to look out for are:
· falling unconscious
· very light shallow breathing or no breathing
· loud raspy ‘snoring’ or gurgling
· blue or pale lips or fingertips

Call an ambulance
If you suspect an overdose, call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Naloxone: get it, carry it, use it
The main messages for giving someone naloxone are:
· if someone overdoses: act fast, don’t wait to see if they will recover – you could save their life
· remember, call an ambulance immediately
· check the person is breathing
· put them in the recovery position: on their side with their head resting on their arm
· give them naloxone as soon as possible

Get into drug treatment
Getting into drug treatment reduces your risk of dying from an overdose.

19/11/2025

https://ketamineanonymous.org.uk/find-meeting

Join Ketamine Anonymous (KA) in the UK for support in recovering from ketamine addiction. Find local meetings, connect with others in recovery, and discover hope through our 12-step fellowship programme.

19/11/2025

‼️⛔️‼️⛔️‼️⛔️‼️⛔️Ketamine Alert

🔴 DRUG ALERT 🔴

The Greater Manchester Drug Early Warning System has issued a public warning as several recent lab tests in Manchester on samples of drugs sold as ketamine have detected the presence of Medetomidine.

⚠️ Please remain vigilant and share this information with frontline workers, outreach teams, and anyone at risk.
📍 The attached alert contains critical harm reduction advice and key information on substances involved.

We Are With You every step of the way 💚

16/11/2025

Some great work from our residents at Birchwood ♥️👏🏻

12/11/2025

Fantastic announcement 📣

🌟📣 A groundbreaking milestone for harm reduction in Wales 🌟📣

We’re delighted to announce that the Home Office have granted Kaleidoscope a licence to test substances. 🙌

This marks the first licence of its kind in Wales, allowing us to deliver front of house drug checking. This is a pioneering step towards safer communities, informed choices and compassionate support.

This licence recognises the importance of meeting people where they are, reducing harm and building trust through connection and care.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this possible. Our dedicated teams, partners and the home office for having confidence in our approach.

Together, we’re shaping a safer, more supportive future for Wales and continuing Kaleidoscope’s pioneering and bold approach to harm reduction.

fans BBC Wales News ITV Wales Eternal Media Sky News DDN Magazine Newyddion S4C S4C Welsh Government

08/11/2025

A wonderful guy , shows you how to enjoy life without alcohol, even if it was never due to a physical addiction. There is plenty of beauty around us , we just need to stop and look 👀

'I started to think about a life without alcohol'

05/11/2025

Very sad news , we are thinking of the family and friends of Eric . The work to change people’s lives will live on . We are humbled by the Blakebrough family and their commitment and achievements. ♥️

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑅𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑜, 𝐶𝐸𝑂 𝑜𝑓 𝐾𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑖𝑑𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑒

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Reverend Eric Blakebrough MBE, the Founder of The Kaleidoscope Project. Eric leaves behind a legacy of compassion, leadership, and unwavering dedication to those most in need.

From the outset, Kaleidoscope’s focus was very much on harm reduction. Under Eric’s leadership, the organisation pioneered needle and syringe exchange programmes and the use of substitute medication - approaches that were bold, progressive, and deeply rooted in care. These early interventions laid the foundation for a model of support that prioritised dignity, safety, and humanity.

Eric devoted his life to serving others, through his ministry and his pioneering work in drug and alcohol support. Under his guidance, Kaleidoscope grew into a beacon of hope for individuals and families across England and Wales, offering practical help and compassionate care to those facing challenges with drug and alcohol use, and mental health. Under Eric's tenure, Kaleidoscope developed supportive partnerships and innovative projects across the world, including supporting the set up of harm reduction services in Nepal and Pakistan.

Working along with his wife Mary, who sadly passed in 2022, Eric’s empathy and tireless advocacy shaped a vision of recovery grounded in respect and inclusion. Eric’s influence extended far beyond the organisation he founded; he helped shape policies and services that continue to change lives to this day. His work was not only impactful, it was personal, driven by a steadfast belief in the worth and potential of every individual.

Beyond his professional achievements, Eric will be remembered for his warmth, humility, and unwavering faith. He touched the lives of all who knew him; people who used our services, colleagues, and communities alike.

We are profoundly grateful for Eric’s service and forever inspired by his example. His spirit lives on in the lives he changed and in the organisation that he helped to build. His legacy is one of hope, compassion, and enduring humanity.

On behalf of our staff, the people who use our services, and our friends who knew Eric, we extend our sincere condolences to his inspiring children, Martin, Adele and Justin. They have both supported and led our organisation over the years, ensuring that the values Eric instilled live on to this day.

02/11/2025

Tomorrow is the International Conference on Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in Nice, France.

Our Registered Manager, Jo Moore, and Support Worker, Mikey Batten, from Birchwood at Kaleidoscope House, are ready to attend.

Jo will be speaking at the event, and Mikey will be sharing his lived experience of NPS.

We’re proud to have them representing Kaleidoscope and giving a voice to so many.

Wishing them both the very best for the day ahead.