Harm reduction charity urging people to take 'One First Step' towards support
An Irish harm reduction charity working with marginalised communities is urging people to reach out and take ‘One First Step’ towards support.
Ana Liffey are launching this new appeal to those facing the downward spiral of social harms to reach out and make the first steps towards support.
Although Ana Liffey began in Dublin, it now has centres in the Mid West and North East of the country, and is continuing to expand its services throughout Ireland.
The charity recognises that the social harms it helps people tackle are no longer just issues that exist in urban settings.
Ana Liffey have now launched a new freephone number and is urging people in need to reach out if they need it.
The charity is aiming to expand its capacity to support people in addiction, gender based violence and homelessness, along with other social harms.
CEO of Ana Liffey, Dawn Russell, said: “As the harms to marginalised people in our society have expanded and diversified, we have worked hard to adapt our services so that we can help people experiencing a variety of social harms. We started out as a charity working with those in addiction in the North Inner City. We now have teams working in many communities in Ireland supporting people with their mental health, relationships and homelessness, as well as addiction and other issues.”
Ana Liffey works closely with state agencies and services, delivering evidence-based harm reduction services. The charity does this through a multi disciplinary team, including nurses, counsellors and case managers working together to reach those in need.
Some of the services include addiction services, housing assistance, support for medical appointments, mental health services and gender specific health services.
Dawn continued: “Ana Liffey works with people who are overwhelmed and stuck in chaotic lifestyles, and can also work with people as they begin their recovery journey. But it’s always a journey, and it’s one that has hope, that’s why our tagline is “From Harm To Hope.
“Being low threshold means we remove as many barriers as possible for someone who wants to access our support. We think outside the box, we bring our services to the people as much as possible. That’s why we are excited to launch our freephone number, so anyone can call us and take the first step towards support, free of charge.
“Social harms are so complex, there are often many things happening all at once for our clients, but we will never turn anyone away - if we aren’t the specific service they need, we will often walk them to the service that is - if that’s what they want.
We want people to acknowledge that there is also hope. The destruction to people’s lives; it can improve with the right services, and that’s why we are here, to help people access those services.”
Russell concluded: “and while we are proud to provide that type of support to clients, we are so much more. I think we are like glue; we help people to hold their lives together and, piece-by-piece, rebuild their lives until they are stable and solid. But it all starts with ‘One First Step’, and that step could be that phone call to us. Whether it’s yourself that needs help or a loved one.”