Naomi says, “Through a number of different projects we provide accommodation, advice, support, counselling, and detoxification to enable people to make positive changes to their lives … I have been involved with Pen Yr Enfys since 2005, and am running the Cardiff Half Marathon specifically to raise money for new kitchens for the homeless hostel … I’m in training now and working hard to make sure I’m fit enough to make it the full way round on the day!”

Naomi would like to raise £200 – you can help her achieve this by kindly donating via her JustGiving webpage: http://www.justgiving.com/nay-oh-me

The refurbishment of the Fitzhamon Centre has made a big difference to the way Cardiff based Pen yr Enfys (part of the Seren Group), provides support and services to its clients. Affectionately known as ‘The Fitz’ the centre has been completely transformed, boasting a new snack bar and kitchen in a bistro-style environment, making it a more homely place for people.

Vice President of Pen yr Enfys, Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Finance and Leader of the House praised the innovation, determination and commitment of staff saying, “The Fitz is a very important venue in Cardiff. It is the only service of its kind and stands as a role model for the rest of Wales and the UK. This is exactly the kind of project the Welsh Government intends to prioritise and I am delighted to be able to offer my support and backing to the project”.

Mick Antoniw AM, also a Vice President of Pen yr Enfys said “The Fitz is the type of service we should have in all of our towns and cities in Wales, and hopefully we will see these types of service develop over time. The facilities are fantastic. People receive the support they needed from a team of dedicated people and I wish them continued success”.

The Fitz is a drop-in facility for people with alcohol or substance misuse that can also be used by other members of the community. The centre has built a reputation for its work in crisis intervention, informal ongoing support and for its snack bar and other social activities. Guests at the re-launch were treated to a delicious buffet, cooked and prepared by service users at the Fitz, who were praised for the presentation and quality of their food.

Corporate Director of Pen yr Enfys, Steve James added “Many of our clients have become trusted and respected volunteers who now open and operate the drop in. This centre also provides links for people with alcohol or drug problems into other services and is, for many, the first point of contact, a refuge and a place of safety. It offers practical advice and supports people to change their lifestyle; one that doesn’t focus on alcohol”.

We understand although millions of people do take drugs, including the most dangerous and addictive mind altering substances – alcohol, it is a call for a rational debate about the drug issue and what we can do to minimise the harm drugs do to individuals and to society.

All drug use carries risks and the more of the drug you use the greater the risk. Alcohol is a drug in that it is very dangerous and highly addictive but like every other drug, if you make it illegal it won’t stop people using it; you just drive supply into the hands of criminal gangs who cause misery to society and to users themselves. Of course the bi product is that the criminals make themselves very rich in the process.

It also allows for the demonisation of those who get into trouble with their use and that’s where Pen yr Enfys comes in. We offer treatment and support to anyone who feels that they, or a loved one, are getting into problems with their consumption of alcohol.

All mind altering substances (drugs) can be dangerous, and therefore they need an element of control, as the Misuse of Drugs Act sensibly specifies.

Sadly we are failing in two big ways:

• By simply prohibiting and denying some drugs, without exerting any kind of control on their properties.
• By encouraging the unfettered “market” in alcohol by allowing supermarkets to sell alcohol at silly prices, allowing advertising that is obviously aimed at the young, by offering little control over outlets and by allowing the proliferation of enormous drinking houses that have turned town centres into massive pubs whilst depriving communities of our “locals”.

By taking these two different approaches to the same problem we are failing. You can regulate the way drugs are distributed, make money from taxation, take the market out of the hands of criminals and control strength and purity as has been done with alcohol for many years. But you can’t do this by prohibition and neither can you do it through a totally free market. In fact prohibition leads to many young people getting criminal records that tarnish them for the rest of their lives, with the free market allowing the irresponsible behaviour we are seeing from advertisers, producers, planners, retailers and of course some users..

Yes there will always be those who over do things and get into trouble but if we regulate we control and if we control we can minimise the casualties and the harm.

Most users of alcohol are relatively sensible in the way they use their drug. The same can be said of most drug users and if fact most drug users grow out of their use after a few years.

Pen yr Enfys commends Professor Nutt on his bravery and supports his call for a rational, national debate on the way we enforce controls and regulate mind altering substances. We do this in the hope that if we can overcome the myths and exaggerations that riddle current thought we can devise regulations that will lead to less problems and less violent society where people use drugs, including alcohol, more sensible but understand and provide for the small minority who become dependent.”

For further information contact Steve James, Corporate Director of Pen Yr Enfys.

Tel 02920 388715
Email: steve.james@penyrenfys.org

The Welsh Cakes, made by clients, staff and their families, went down a treat with members of the public and thanks to their generous support, £500 has been raised so far.

The Fizhamon Centre, opposite the Millennium Stadium, provides an excellent hot spot for some good old-fashioned celebrity spotting. Amongst the recent celebs spotted was BBC’s Sports Commentator, John Inverdale. John and his crew could not resist the delicious smell of lovely warm Welsh Cakes (and the fervent cries from clients and staff!)… John is pictured above with Benedicte Lepine, Project Worker at Pen yr Enfys.

Pen yr Enfys clients and staff will be taking a break for the next match, but intend to start cooking again for the Wales -v- New Zealand game. So, if you happen to be around the Millennium Stadium, they would love to see you…so come on down!

The fantastic idea of hosting monthly bistro evenings was initiated by Rob Petrie, Drop-In and Activities Co-ordinator. The benefit of the Bistro evenings are two fold. Firstly, clients with difficulties socialising are able to experience and ease themselves into a social situation, all the while being surrounded by an environment they were comfortable with. Secondly, relatives and friends are given an opportunity to see how the centre is getting on and are given the opportunity to mingle with clients, staff and others .

As the lights went down and the gentle mumble of conversation filled the room, guests enjoyed a delicious three course meal, cooked by staff and clients and picked  from a mouth watering menu boasting a variety of dishes to suit all pallets.  Among the guests was Alun Emlyn Jones, the founder of Pen Yr Enfys, and his wife Julie, who have  attended every single bistro night so far!

A huge thank you to all who attended and a special thank you to the clients and staff who gave their time voluntarily to make the evening the success it was.

The Bistro nights have been a great succes and, just a year on, they continue to be enjoyed by all.

The next Bistro evening will be advertised via e-mail so keep a look out.  Spaces are limited and we operate on a first come first served basis.   Hopefully, we  look forward to seeing some of you there,

Benni Lepine

Unfortunately for Alun, something went wrong with the system. Hs sponsorship form arrived late and he was unable to obtain any sponsors. This did not deter Alun, who slept rough on the streets for the 20th time this year. He took part in the sleep out, not for money, but simply to support a worthwhile cause.

Alun said, “At one point when I was sleeping someone touched my elbow and I woke up. I found a pretty young girl in a Christmas hat knelt down beside me and she simply said ‘I think you’re wonderful. So many young people took part in the sleep out this year, which is most encouraging”.

If you would like to make a donation in support of Alun, please make your cheque payable to The Huggard and send it direct to Mr Richard Edwards, The Huggard Centre, Tresillian Way, Cardiff, CF10 5JZ. Or you can make a donation on line.

The European Social Fund has released £8 million worth of funding which will be rolled out across Wales over the next four years, via the Welsh Assembly Government.

Pen yr Enfys will provide the single point of contact to the service, which can be accessed by contacting Sarah Williams, Manager, Peer Mentoring Scheme at Pen yr Enfy’s Barry office – Tel: 01446 743607.

Steve James, Corporate Director said, “Various activities will be available at several support agencies as well as our own drop in centres based in Cardiff and Barry. Service users will be encouraged to work towards achieving peer mentoring qualifications and voluntary work, to increase their employability, wiith some peer mentor posts leading to full time, paid employment”.