By Helen, Vicki, Maryam & Danielle
With Recovery Month 2024 currently taking place this September, we wanted to focus on our M-PACT programme. For those who don’t know M-PACT, or “Moving Parents and Children Together” to give the programme its full title, it is a programme of whole family group support offered through Sheffield Young Carers. This is available to children, young people and families who have been negatively impacted by a parent’s alcohol or drug use. This is regardless of whether or not the children live within the same household as the parent, or if it is a recent/historic issue.
SO…. 12 months down the line what have we learned?
We know that no one sets out to become addicted to anything through choice. There are multiple and complex reasons why an individual may use alcohol or drugs and that use then becomes a dependency or addiction.
M-PACT provides a safe space for families to explore addiction, including identifying patterns of behaviour and triggers. This knowledge is powerful, helping individuals and families navigate the programme, as well as enabling the M-PACT team to be able to identify and secure specialist support beyond the programme for children, young people or adults who may need it.
Addiction impacts the whole family, and recovery does too!
Living with addiction is often viewed as an individual’s issue, but this is rarely the case. Family members, including children and young people, can be profoundly impacted by the addiction of someone they love and care about. The team at SYC delivering M-PACT understands this, as well as the importance of providing a safe space for families to learn, heal and rebuild relationship’s together.
Amazing families
It is a privilege for our team to work with the amazing families who attend M-PACT. Families who show incredible courage in acknowledging the impact drugs and/or alcohol has had on family life.
We know it can take superhero strength for families to step out of their comfort zone and into group environment for the first time. Especially one where addiction and all the associated emotions, which previously may have been “brushed under the carpet “because of stigma, fear or shame, are openly discussed.
Not all heroes wear capes you know...
Children and young people know much more than parents think they do!
Parents tend to hide drug or alcohol use to try and protect their children, but once use becomes problematic, it is very difficult to maintain secrecy and to prevent it impacting the lives of children and loved ones. Emotional stress and fear of consequences can lead to changes in how families communicate, causing relationships to change and loving homes can become divided under the strain. Without support for the whole family, relationships can often remain difficult, even once the using parent is in recovery.
Because children and young people love and want to protect their parents, they are often frightened to talk about what is going on, or about the worries they have. Children and young people need to feel that can express their concerns in a safe, supportive environment, knowing that it is ok to ask questions and for any help that they might need.
The importance of safe spaces
By attending M-PACT, families quickly realise that they are not alone. Addiction can touch the lives of anyone - regardless of background, status or identity. Having the opportunity to meet other families who have similar lived experiences helps to destigmatise addiction and creates a safe space to talk about the impact of addiction on family life. Additionally, M-PACT helps families to work on changes that may be needed to improve the safety and wellbeing of everybody.
Emotions
On every M-PACT course, there will be moments of revelation and many opportunities for creativity and learning. There will be tears, but also new connections made and times of fun and laughter. All of these moments are equally important.
Recovery for many is a lifelong journey and commitment, and often not a linear path. Throughout M-PACT, families learn how to communicate positively, celebrate the good times, safely navigate the more difficult moments and understand that it is safe to ask for support, and how they can access this, when needed.
It has been a pleasure developing the M-PACT programme for families in Sheffield over the last 12 months and seeing the difference it has brought to the lives of some amazing people.
Now, we need many more families to know about M-PACT.
The programme really does help, but don’t just take our word for it – read below what some of the parents and young people who’ve completed the programme say about their M-PACT experience:
“I have just finished the M-PACT course, young cares have been amazing for me and my son in many ways and I can’t thank you enough for the support, understanding and encouragement that they have all showed to us. After working with young carers 5 years ago, they never forgot us and offered us more help through M-PACT.
It has been amazing!”
“Thank you for everything you have all done to support me and my girls, it’s been so good to know we are not the only ones and that there are other Mums like me, trying hard to make better choices”
“I don’t want the groups to end, I will really miss everyone.”
Sheffield Young Carers runs three M-PACT programmes each year and further information including referrals forms can be found on our website here.
If you, or someone you know, would like to enquire about the M-PACT Programme in confidence, please contact Helen at:
Sheffield Young Carers
Sheaf Bank Business Park
Unit R7b, Riverside Block
20 Prospect Road
Sheffield, S2 3EN
Tel: 0114 258 4595
M-PACT was developed by The Forward Trust in 2006, and is delivered under licence by Sheffield Young Carers