First Minister visits Ayr to launch new job scheme for people recovering from addiction
First Minister John Swinney launched new guidance to support people with their recovery from addiction while on a visit to Ayr.
First Minister John Swinney was in Ayrshire as he launched a new toolkit to help make it easier for people affected by problematic substance use to gain and keep a job.
Harbour Ayrshire, a charity dedicated to helping people recovering from addiction, based in Ayr, hosted the launch on Wednesday, June 18 after playing an integral part in the development of the toolkit.
Mr Swinney spoke with staff and volunteers at the charity during the launch and poignant, real life stories were shared highlighting the difference that the right support can make to an individual with an addiction.
The guidance has been published as part of the Scottish Government 's National Mission and brings a range of information and advice together.
It includes specialist advice for potential employers on how to attract, recruit and support staff who have experience of problematic substance use as well as information for people with lived and living experience of problematic substance use on how to pursue a career in the drug and alcohol sector.
Best practice has been shared within the guidance providing advice for effective support to staff who have lived or living experience of problematic substance use.
Speaking to Ayrshire Live about the new toolkits, Mr Swinney was confident it would make a difference on the ground.
He said: "Today marks the launch of guidance that the Scottish Government is setting out about supporting individuals with addiction as part of their route to recovery to be supported into employment.
"What I have seen here at Harbour Ayrshire is an incredibly powerful example of how that challenging journey can be undertaken and undertaken really effectively.
"Some of the life stories that I have heard today, I will never forget.
"I think what today is an opportunity to do is to set out the approach that we think can be taken to provide purpose and focus in people's lives when they face addiction or suffer from addiction but then to be able to see that put into practice.
"I have seen this very vividly at Harbour Ayrshire.
"In practical terms, what this will do is it will give a template of how individuals can move from addiction into employment and to have a more positive life making a more positive contribution to society.
"The guidance explains the approach that can be taken. What I have heard from Harbour Ayrshire is that the guidance is essentially reflecting the approach they are taking.
"I've heard a number of case studies of really outstanding practice that have made an impact on people's lives.
"The work that we are doing on drug and alcohol addiction is about trying to help people to overcome that addiction and to make positive choices in life and positive approaches.
"I'm confident from what I have seen here today that the guidance the government has developed will support that"
Eddie Gorman, project manager for Harbour Ayrshire, said: 'These resources offer practical guidance grounded in lived experience and will be vital in helping organisations create safer, more inclusive support for those affected by trauma, addiction, and adversity.
'They provide a clear framework to build trust, foster resilience, and ultimately support people to rebuild their lives.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Trans ruling has 'changed landscape' of tribunal after nurse suspended in single-sex spaces row
The ruling stated said the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex, which has implications for access to single-sex spaces. The head of a women's rights group has said the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman has 'changed the landscape' of the ongoing tribunal involving nurse Sandie Peggie. Maya Forstater, chief executive of campaign group Sex Matters, was speaking during a visit to Holyrood with Ms Peggie on Wednesday, where the pair met a number of politicians to discuss the impact the legal proceedings have had on Ms Peggie. The nurse, who has worked at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy for 30 years, was suspended by NHS Fife after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton. She took the health board and Dr Upton to an employment tribunal, lodging a complaint of sexual harassment or harassment related to a protected belief under Section 26 of the Equality Act 2010. The visit to Holyrood also came shortly after a letter from Sex Matters to the Scottish Government threatening legal action if they did not implement April's Supreme Court judgement on biological sex in equalities law. The ruling stated said the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex, which has implications for access to single-sex spaces. Asked how the judgment had affected the ongoing tribunal, Ms Forstater said: 'I think it's really changed the landscape. You can't ignore it. But in practical terms, it was only about people with Gender Recognition Certificates (GRCs), and the doctor in this case didn't have a GRC. 'So, what NHS Fife was doing was unlawful before the Supreme Court judgment (and) it's definitely unlawful now. And I think everyone can see that.' She said of Wednesday's meetings that it had been 'important' for politicians to hear what Ms Peggie had been through as as result of 'bad policies that NHS Fife, NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government (are) still sticking with'. She went on: 'All the politicians we met really understand the human impact of this on women. That Sandie's rights at work were abused because of bad policies, bad decisions, right from the top. And what they heard was the real human impact on her.' She added that there was 'really no excuse' for delaying the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment. 'The law is clear from the moment that the Supreme Court gave their judgment, the Scottish Government, all public bodies, all private employers, were obliged to act,' she said. Ms Peggie's solicitor Margaret Gribbon also took part in the visit. Afterwards she said: 'Politicians needed to hear directly from Sandie to understand how the sheer depth of the discrimination and harassment she and women like her have endured in workplaces – in her case, as a nurse with 30 years' unblemished service, simply because she objected to having to undress in front of a man. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'We were grateful for the politicians' time and welcomed the opportunity to share insights into how misguided actions by public bodies such as NHS Fife have devastating real-life consequences and come at great expense to the Scottish taxpayer. 'We had productive meetings, and the door is always open for any politicians who were unable to meet Sandie today.' Tribunal hearings took place in February and it will resume in July. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay was one of the politicians that Sandie Peggie met during her visit. Commenting afterwards, he said: 'It was a privilege to meet Sandie Peggie and to hear a first-hand account of her appalling ordeal. It is outrageous that a dedicated NHS nurse's career has been destroyed and her life consumed by a suffocating legal process simply because she stood up for women's rights. 'Sandie has paid a massive price for her brave and principled stand against the SNP Government's promotion of gender politics which now infects Scotland's entire public sector. NHS Fife should stop squandering vast sums of taxpayers' cash on this nonsense and every state agency in Scotland must now respect the law and women's rights.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government has been clear that we accept the Supreme Court judgment. We are reviewing policies, guidance and legislation potentially impacted by the judgment. 'This will prepare us to take all necessary steps when the regulator of the Equality Act 2010, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, publishes its revised Statutory Code of Practice and associated guidance for services, public functions and associations. 'The EHRC is currently consulting on this revised Code of Practice. The Scottish Government's approach is aligned with that of the UK Government and Welsh Government in awaiting the EHRC's revised Statutory Code of Practice. We will respond to the letter in due course.' The spokesperson added that it would be inappropriate to comment on Ms Peggie's case while judicial proceedings in an employment tribunal are ongoing. NHS Fife has been approached for comment.
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
First Minister visits Ayr to launch new job scheme for people recovering from addiction
First Minister John Swinney launched new guidance to support people with their recovery from addiction while on a visit to Ayr. First Minister John Swinney was in Ayrshire as he launched a new toolkit to help make it easier for people affected by problematic substance use to gain and keep a job. Harbour Ayrshire, a charity dedicated to helping people recovering from addiction, based in Ayr, hosted the launch on Wednesday, June 18 after playing an integral part in the development of the toolkit. Mr Swinney spoke with staff and volunteers at the charity during the launch and poignant, real life stories were shared highlighting the difference that the right support can make to an individual with an addiction. The guidance has been published as part of the Scottish Government 's National Mission and brings a range of information and advice together. It includes specialist advice for potential employers on how to attract, recruit and support staff who have experience of problematic substance use as well as information for people with lived and living experience of problematic substance use on how to pursue a career in the drug and alcohol sector. Best practice has been shared within the guidance providing advice for effective support to staff who have lived or living experience of problematic substance use. Speaking to Ayrshire Live about the new toolkits, Mr Swinney was confident it would make a difference on the ground. He said: "Today marks the launch of guidance that the Scottish Government is setting out about supporting individuals with addiction as part of their route to recovery to be supported into employment. "What I have seen here at Harbour Ayrshire is an incredibly powerful example of how that challenging journey can be undertaken and undertaken really effectively. "Some of the life stories that I have heard today, I will never forget. "I think what today is an opportunity to do is to set out the approach that we think can be taken to provide purpose and focus in people's lives when they face addiction or suffer from addiction but then to be able to see that put into practice. "I have seen this very vividly at Harbour Ayrshire. "In practical terms, what this will do is it will give a template of how individuals can move from addiction into employment and to have a more positive life making a more positive contribution to society. "The guidance explains the approach that can be taken. What I have heard from Harbour Ayrshire is that the guidance is essentially reflecting the approach they are taking. "I've heard a number of case studies of really outstanding practice that have made an impact on people's lives. "The work that we are doing on drug and alcohol addiction is about trying to help people to overcome that addiction and to make positive choices in life and positive approaches. "I'm confident from what I have seen here today that the guidance the government has developed will support that" Eddie Gorman, project manager for Harbour Ayrshire, said: 'These resources offer practical guidance grounded in lived experience and will be vital in helping organisations create safer, more inclusive support for those affected by trauma, addiction, and adversity. 'They provide a clear framework to build trust, foster resilience, and ultimately support people to rebuild their lives.'
Western Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Supreme Court ruling has ‘changed landscape' of Peggie tribunal
Maya Forstater, chief executive of campaign group Sex Matters, was speaking during a visit to Holyrood with Ms Peggie on Tuesday, where the pair met a number of politicians to discuss the impact the legal proceedings have had on Ms Peggie. The nurse, who has worked at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy for 30 years, was suspended by NHS Fife after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton. She took the health board and Dr Upton to an employment tribunal, lodging a complaint of sexual harassment or harassment related to a protected belief under Section 26 of the Equality Act 2010. All the politicians we met really understand the human impact of this on women Maya Forstater, Sex Matters The visit to Holyrood also came shortly after a letter from Sex Matters to the Scottish Government threatening legal action if they did not implement April's Supreme Court judgement on biological sex in equalities law. The ruling stated said the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex, which has implications for access to single-sex spaces. Asked how the judgment had affected the ongoing tribunal, Ms Forstater said: 'I think it's really changed the landscape. You can't ignore it. 'But in practical terms, it was only about people with Gender Recognition Certificates (GRCs), and the doctor in this case didn't have (a) GRC. 'So, what NHS Fife was doing was unlawful before the Supreme Court judgment (and) it's definitely unlawful now. And I think everyone can see that.' She said of Tuesday's meetings that it had been 'important' for politicians to hear what Ms Peggie had been through as as result of 'bad policies that NHS Fife, NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government (are) still sticking with'. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said it had been a 'privilege' to meet Ms Peggie (Jane Barlow/PA) She went on: 'All the politicians we met really understand the human impact of this on women. 'That Sandie's rights at work were abused because of bad policies, bad decisions, right from the top. 'And what they heard was the real human impact on her.' She added that there was 'really no excuse' for delaying the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment. 'The law is clear from the moment that the Supreme Court gave their judgment, the Scottish Government, all public bodies, all private employers, were obliged to act,' she said. Tribunal hearings took place in February and it will resume in July. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay was one of the politicians that Sandie Peggie met during her visit. Commenting afterwards, he said: 'It was a privilege to meet Sandie Peggie and to hear a first-hand account of her appalling ordeal. 'It is outrageous that a dedicated NHS nurse's career has been destroyed and her life consumed by a suffocating legal process simply because she stood up for women's rights. 'Sandie has paid a massive price for her brave and principled stand against the SNP Government's promotion of gender politics which now infects Scotland's entire public sector. 'NHS Fife should stop squandering vast sums of taxpayers' cash on this nonsense and every state agency in Scotland must now respect the law and women's rights.' NHS Fife and the Scottish Government have been approached for comment.
