The Hub is declared a big success after its first year of helping drug and alcohol abusers

A pioneering scheme to help people with addiction issues in Axminster has been awarded funding for another year

Following pressure from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team the RISE Hub was created last October to help those tackling drug and alcohol abuse.

Since then RISE - Recovery and Integration Service - which has the contract for a Devon-wide adult substance misuse service, has provided a one day a week Hub in the town where people can access both group and one to one support.

The service looks at a person’s needs but also the needs of their families and supports them towards and through abstinence and recovery, in partnership with other services.

Funding for the Hub has been obtained from a number of sources but primarily from the Safer Devon Partnership and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Now the PCC has agreed to fund the project for a further 12 months.

The Hub is supported by volunteers from Axminster Churches Together who, under the leadership of the Rev Kay d’Albertanson, provide refreshments throughout the day.

Kay said: “We are elated and get quite emotional when we see the people who have accessed the Hub since last year making progress every week. They are dealing with their issues but it is obvious to us that their self-esteem is increasing and they are communicating with others and spurring each other on. There is now laughter and enjoyment in their lives.”

Jade, one of the RISE workers, said: “The Hub is a friendly non-judgemental place. Every Tuesday between 12 and 2pm there is a café and new people can just turn up. The first 12 months has been very successful and we are seeing lots of positive change. We are extremely pleased that funding has been provided for a second year.”

PC Simon Aldred, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “It is a really great community facility that RISE, the attendees and the volunteers have created. It is great for the police to be able to signpost people with addiction issues, often at a time of need into RISE. There they can get the long term help needed to improve their lives and the lives of the people around them.”