New service launches in Hartlepool to tackle drink and drug problems

Hartlepool Borough Council has announced a new partnership with specialist organisation Foundations which has over 17 years of experience in the area across Teesside.

Called START – Supporting Treatment and Recovery Together – the service will be based in Whitby Street to begin with and replaces the council’s previous drug and alcohol treatment offer.

One of the its top priorities will be to reduce the harm drink and drugs cause to individuals, their friends and loved ones, and the wider community.

Sally Robinson, the council’s Director of Children’s and Joint Commissioning Services, said: “A lot of work has gone into setting up the new integrated service at a particularly challenging time given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The fact that we have been able to launch the service as planned is testimony to the hard work of everyone involved in the project and I would like to thank them for their efforts.

“We are delighted to be working with a partner of the calibre of Foundations, and together we aim to provide a clinical care and recovery support service that will help us to more effectively address the needs of local people.”

Council chiefs have been looking at reshaping the town’s treatment services since last year.

Foundations has a track record of offering primary care, clinical support, treatment and interventions across Teesside and especially in Middlesbrough.

Nicole Clark, Clinical Business Partner at Foundations, said: "The team here at Foundations are delighted to be working in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council to deliver a truly integrated drug and alcohol service for the people of Hartlepool.

“Through the time we have spent working closely with HBC we understand one of the immediate key priorities for the service is reducing harm to individuals, significant others, and the local community.

“We are excited by the prospect of working together to flex and grow the service and deliver a good quality service which achieves outcomes for the people we are here to serve."

Anyone in need of support can contact the service on (01429) 285000 or email [email protected]

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