Project users help to clean up town
Drug users who have been getting help from a charity have been clearing up the town after concerns about needles being dumped in public toilets.
And figures also show drastic improvements in the safe disposal of needles.
Four times as many needles are being disposed of responsibly in sharps bins, compared with three months ago, according to NHS Norfolk.
"Change is possible - people can give things up and change their lives for the better. It's a challenge but it can be done," said Steve Fairess who is The Matthew Project's service users involvement representative. He has been using services at The Matthew Project, a charity for those affected by substance misuse, for nearly three years.
Mr Fairess spearheaded the Big Clean Up project, which saw a handful of those who have benefited from the charity's work clear dozens of bags of rubbish on Monday from a wooded area near Forest Retail Park.
He said change was possible. "It's all about moving Thetford forward and getting rid of stigma. We want to give something back and this is a way of doing something for the community," said the 39-year-old, who has lived in Thetford for 10 years.
Next, the group wants to clear an area near The Priory and the river.
Barry Wall, Thetford Town Council works supervisor, said: "The guys who use The Matthew Project came up with this idea to clean up and we're happy to help. The responsible disposal message for needles is getting across, which is good news for everyone."
Mr Fairess, a recovering alcoholic, said: "The Matthew Project has given me so much. It's a slow process but if you get a bit rocky, like I did, they're there to help you. I wanted this opportunity to give something back, the way I have been given my life back."
Nicola Lambert, Thetford substance misuse team manager, said service users came up with ways of tackling irresponsible needle use, including safety sessions and maps of where the bins were located. She said: "The message is clearly getting through because the number of needles being put in the bins has increased tremendously."
The Matthew Project is holding an open evening on October 12 at 6.30pm in the Guildhall, in Thetford, and can be contacted on 0845 8689506.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Thursday 09 February 2012
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