Addictions Counselling Inverness receives £13k from Scotch Whisky Action Fund to tackle alcohol misuse
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An addiction support charity in Inverness is among three projects in the north of Scotland to receive funding from the Scotch Whisky Action Fund (SWAF).
Addictions Counselling Inverness will be supported over the coming year as part of the industry’s ongoing commitment to tackling alcohol misuse.
The other two organisations are Home Support Garioch, a volunteer support organisation for young families based in Inverurie and Absafe, a safety charity based in Aberdeen.
It will be the third year SWAF has supported Addictions Counselling Inverness.
This year’s funding of £13,125 will be used to continue to deliver a free counselling service to individuals who are affected by the alcohol use of a close family member.
Sharan Brown, development manager at Addictions Counselling Inverness said: "SWAF funding has given ACI the scope to create multi pathways within our service.
"Our one-to-one counselling service has grown to group therapy and recovery capital opportunities for loved ones," she said.
"We facilitate monthly family support gatherings in-house which has increased the love, care and esteem of people who were previously incredibly isolated dealing with traumatic events.
"During times of such uncertainty, ACI has been incredibly grateful for the funding we received.
"We know our work saves lives and plays an important role in keeping our families together in our struggling communities during the most challenging of times."
The charity is offering counselling sessions to 18 individuals (12 sessions) totalling 216 counselling sessions between July 2022 and March 2023.
The counselling sessions will continue to take place at ACI premises in Inverness, where there are five counselling rooms, for those who live in Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey and Ross-shire/Sutherland while those who are unable to travel to Inverness will be offered appointments in a community venue in their locality or via telephone or video calls.
Lifesaving charity seeks funding
Dame Joan Stringer, who chaired the awards panel, said: "Tackling harmful alcohol consumption is a key issue for Scotland.
"These projects are undertaking important work, and we look forward to supporting them over the coming year."
