Unity Group

The Unity Group is an important development in the leadership of the UK drug treatment sector, reflecting a new atmosphere of cooperation between the different service providers engaged in different kinds of services.

This group has been established to:

  • Promote understanding between different elements of the drug and alcohol treatment continuum within the UK - particularly between those defining their services as "harm reduction" and those who work principally towards abstinence
  • Improve the experience of people using treatment services by forging better links between service providers
  • Organise events and activities to foster these objectives.

The member organisations:

Each group will nominate two representatives:

  • senior manager, with the ability to make commitments for the organisation
  • working-group member, who will attend working groups and assist in the development and coordination of events and activities.

The Uniity main group, including senior managers, will meet once or twice a year or when particular issues arise. The working group will meet more frequently. The group's main reason for existence will be to devise, organise, promote and conduct an annual discussion event for workers in the field. The event will include discussion groups about different disciplines and types of services and give staff the opportunity to understand other treatment modalities and methods than the ones they work within. Regular staff exchanges will also take place, which will be organised on a rolling programme by the working group.

The Uniity Group is not:

  • A separate legal entity; events and activities will be organised by some of the members acting at their own risk
  • A lobbying group for providers
  • A platform for any single organisation.
 
site by LS