Prevention & Service Support Team - NHS Ayrshire & Arran

19/11/2025

On Friday, Gemma & Derek had the privilege of meeting with members of The Zone Recovery Support Group in Dalmellington to talk openly about stigma, how it forms, how it affects everyone, and how we can work together to overcome it.

A huge thank-you to everyone who took part in the discussion. Your willingness to listen, learn, and share is what drives real change. But this is just the beginning, we need more voices, more perspectives, and more community members involved to keep this progress going, Together, we can make a lasting impact. 🌱

19/11/2025

🌿 Cannabis Training Course – Spaces Available! 🌿

We still have spaces available on our Cannabis Training Course taking place on:
📅 Wednesday 26th November 2025
🕙 10am – 1pm
📍 Ayr Hospital

This training is designed to give participants a broader understanding of cannabis, including its prevalence, types, effects, and issues surrounding its use. We’ll also explore medicinal cannabis and the impact of THC and CBD on the body.
Perfect for anyone working in the addictions field or those with a general interest in cannabis-related topics.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:
✅ Identify different types of cannabis and administration routes
✅ Understand the importance of THC and CBD
✅ Recognise the effects of cannabis use
✅ Clarify links between cannabis use and mental health
✅ Examine symptoms of cannabis dependence
✅ Discuss issues surrounding medicinal cannabis
📩 Interested in joining?

Click here to book your FREE place:

🔗 https://forms.office.com/e/9gAXvsF9FK

ℹ All of our training courses are FREE for anyone who lives or works within Ayrshire & Arran.

19/11/2025

🎯 FREE ALCOHOL BRIEF INTERVENTION (ABI) TRAINING
📅 Monday 1st December 2025
🕙 10am - 1pm
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams

We still have limited spaces available for this popular training session!

This interactive course will give you the skills and confidence to deliver early, supportive conversations around alcohol use.

👉 By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

✨ Understand the what, why, when, where and how of Alcohol Brief Interventions
✨ Calculate alcohol units and understand the rationale behind UK guidance
✨ Recognise how your role can support early intervention
✨ Confidently raise the subject and choose appropriate screening tools
✨ Build motivation to carry out ABIs effectively
✨ Know how to signpost to relevant support services

📩 Book your FREE place here:
https://forms.office.com/e/9gAXvsF9FK

19/11/2025

East Ayrshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership is gathering feedback on alcohol consumption patterns and their associated attitudes.

If you’re aged 18 or over, share your views in their survey and help us better understand how alcohol consumption is viewed in East Ayrshire. 👉🏻https://orlo.uk/0Uyi5

Please be advised that this survey is completely anonymous and your personal details will not be shared.

The survey will close on Friday 30 January 2026.

Our Alcohol and Drugs Partnership is gathering feedback on alcohol consumption patterns and their associated attitudes.

If you’re aged 18 or over, share your views in their survey and help us better understand how alcohol consumption is viewed in East Ayrshire. 👉🏻https://orlo.uk/0Uyi5

Please be advised that this survey is completely anonymous and your personal details will not be shared.

The survey will close on Friday 30 January 2026.

05/11/2025

🌿 Cannabis Training Course – Spaces Available! 🌿

We still have spaces available on our Cannabis Training Course taking place on:
📅 Wednesday 26th November 2025
🕙 10am – 1pm
📍 Ayr Hospital

This training is designed to give participants a broader understanding of cannabis, including its prevalence, types, effects, and issues surrounding its use. We’ll also explore medicinal cannabis and the impact of THC and CBD on the body.
Perfect for anyone working in the addictions field or those with a general interest in cannabis-related topics.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:
✅ Identify different types of cannabis and administration routes
✅ Understand the importance of THC and CBD
✅ Recognise the effects of cannabis use
✅ Clarify links between cannabis use and mental health
✅ Examine symptoms of cannabis dependence
✅ Discuss issues surrounding medicinal cannabis

📩 Interested in joining?
Click here to book your FREE place:

🔗 https://forms.office.com/e/9gAXvsF9FK

ℹ All of our training courses are FREE for anyone who lives or works within Ayrshire & Arran.

04/11/2025

Public health are launching a new WANDR initiative across Ayrshire.

WANDR is a new initiative that aims to reach those most at risk from drug use. It is being delivered by the Community Health Addiction Nurses (CHAN) nurses within North Ayrshire Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (NADARS), South Ayrshire Treatment and Recovery Team (START) & East Ayrshire Rapid Access to Drug and Alcohol Recovery (EA RADAR) at specified locations & times.

Individuals who engage will receive a £20 Love To Shop voucher after they complete all the following steps of the assessment.

W - Wound Assessment
A - Assessment of injecting risk.
N - Naloxone
D - BBV testing
R - Respiratory Screening.

Check our poster below for more information or call:

North Ayrshire - 01294 476000
South Ayrshire - 01292 559800
East Ayrshire = 01563 574237

31/10/2025

🎃 Out partying this Halloween weekend? 👻
Make sure you know what you’re taking and the risks that come with it.

Substances like ketamine, co***ne, and alcohol can all have serious effects on your mental and physical health, and mixing them can be even more dangerous.

Stay safe, look out for your friends, and if you’d like to learn more about drugs and alcohol awareness, you can:
📲 Download the NHS Ayrshire & Arran App for information and resources.
🎓 Attend one of our FREE Alcohol and Drug Training Courses – open to anyone who lives or works in Ayrshire.

👉 Book your place here: https://forms.office.com/e/9gAXvsF9FK

28/10/2025

🍃 ALCOHOL & DRUG BRIEF INTERVENTIONS TRAINING 🍃

📅 Monday 3rd November
🕤 9.30am - 4.30pm
📍 Crosshouse Hospital

✨ We still have a few spaces left on our FREE practical training session - perfect for anyone looking to build confidence and skills when supporting people around alcohol or drug use.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
💡 Understand what a Brief Intervention is and how it helps
🥤 Refresh your knowledge of alcohol units & current drinking guidelines
🗣️ Learn how to raise the issue and give supportive feedback
🔄 Explore the Cycle of Change and how to identify stages
🎯 Develop key communication skills like:
👉 Motivational Interviewing
👉 Reflective Listening
👉 Rolling with Resistance
👉 Eliciting “Change Talk”
📍 Know how to signpost and refer to local support services

If you’d like to take part in this FREE full-day course, click below to book your space ⬇️
🔗 https://forms.office.com/e/9gAXvsF9FK

10/10/2025

🌍 World Mental Health Day - 10 October 💚

Today, we stand together to remind everyone: mental health matters. No one should feel alone in their experience.

🗣️ A simple “How are you really doing?” can open the door to connection and healing. Let’s build a culture where it’s safe to talk and safe to listen.

If you or someone you care about needs support, you can find resources and guidance here:

👉 https://www.nhsaaa.net/services/services-a-z/better-health/mental-health-wellbeing/

You’re not alone — help is available. 💙

25/09/2025

🟤✨ BITE SIZE SESSION ✨🟤

🚨 Spaces Available! 🚨
📅 Wednesday 8th October 2025
🕛 12:00pm – 12:30pm
💻 Via Microsoft Teams
💰 FREE to attend!

⚡️ In just 30 minutes, gain a quick but valuable insight into:
🔹 Nitazenes – effects, harms & prevalence
🔹 Xylazine – what it is, the risks & why it matters

💡 Our Bite Size Sessions are short, focused information sessions on key topics each month.
✔ No pressure to participate
✔ Learn something new in your lunch break 🍴
✔ Great for anyone wanting to stay up-to-date with emerging substances

📌 Book your FREE place here:
👉 https://forms.office.com/e/9gAXvsF9FK

24/09/2025

🌟🟣 ALCOHOL BRIEF INTERVENTIONS TRAINING 🟣🌟

🚨 We still have spaces left! 🚨
📅 Wednesday 1st October 2025
🕙 10am – 1pm
💻 Via Microsoft Teams
💰 FREE to attend!

Want to feel confident having conversations around alcohol and recreational drug use? 🍷💬
This interactive course will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABIs) and support people in making positive changes.

✅ Learn what an ABI is, why it matters & how to deliver one
✅ Understand alcohol units & guidelines 🥂📏
✅ Practice how to start the conversation & screen effectively
✅ Build confidence to support, motivate & signpost others
✅ Explore local services & support available 🤝

🎯 Perfect for anyone working with people where alcohol use may be a factor – or anyone just looking to learn more information!

📌 Book your FREE space here:
👉 https://forms.office.com/e/9gAXvsF9FK

18/09/2025

🚑 Harm Reduction Training Course
📅 Thursday 25th September 2025
🕙 10am – 1pm
💻 Via Microsoft Teams
🎟️ FREE to attend

This interactive training provides an understanding of harm reduction and how to support service users around risky drug use. Key topics include:
✔ Naloxone
✔ Change Talk
✔ Needle Exchange Services

This course is especially valuable for anyone working with people who use drugs, particularly those who inject.

👉 Book your FREE space here: https://forms.office.com/e/9gAXvsF9FK

Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
• Highlight the support and interventions available within an Injecting Equipment Provision (IEP) site
• Recognise the core harm reduction messages including Change Talk
• Outline the risky practices used by injecting drug users
• Identify the wounds and infections associated with injecting drugs
• State how to prevent wounds and infections (hand hygiene, safe handling & disposal of sharps)