'Life-saving' drugs and alcohol service Forward Leeds celebrates landmark anniversary

A Leeds actor has told how a city drugs and alcohol service which is celebrating a landmark anniversary brought him back from the brink of self-destruction when a 20-year battle with alcohol reached its peak.
Nick Davis. Picture: Ina Elena.Nick Davis. Picture: Ina Elena.
Nick Davis. Picture: Ina Elena.

Nick Davis, who works as a supporting artist in television and film, has just marked 500 days sober after support from Forward Leeds changed his life.

The drugs and alcohol service,which has had an “immeasurable” impact in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in Yorkshire’s biggest city, is this month marking five years in operation.

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Mr Davis said he'd reached rock bottom and was “drinking 24 hours a day” in February last year.

Staff at Forward Leeds in Armley. Picture: Forward LeedsStaff at Forward Leeds in Armley. Picture: Forward Leeds
Staff at Forward Leeds in Armley. Picture: Forward Leeds

He had taken part in detox and counselling at Forward Leeds in the past, but had relapsed after the break up of his marriage and was “drinking 24 hours a day”.

Mr Davis, from Weetwood, told the Yorkshire Post: “It was my last chance. My GP said to me, ‘the next time I see you, I don’t want to be writing out your death certificate’”.

He went into a detox treatment programme, and while waiting for a place at rehab, which began in April, immersed himself in all the support Forward Leeds could offer - and he hasn’t had a drink since.

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“I was embarrassed, and worried about going back with my tail between my legs and the team thinking I’d let them down because they’d helped me before, but they accepted me with such warmth and never treated me like a failure,” he said. “Without a doubt, without them, I wouldn’t be here now.”

Forward Leeds' Kirkgate staff. Picture: Forward LeedsForward Leeds' Kirkgate staff. Picture: Forward Leeds
Forward Leeds' Kirkgate staff. Picture: Forward Leeds

More than 6,000 people have left Forward Leeds having achieved their treatment goals since the service was set up in July 2015. In the last financial year alone, 2019-20, Forward Leeds supported 2,000 people for alcohol issues - as many people as were seen by similar services in Sheffield, Liverpool and Manchester combined.

Forward Leeds is part of a partnership of organisations, including Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, BARCA-Leeds and St Anne’s Community Services and led by Humankind. Since it began, 12,000 people have been referred into the service.

Humankind operations director for Leeds, Lee Wilson, said: “That is the equivalent of one in every fifty adults in Leeds being helped in some way by Forward Leeds during in the last five years. The positive impact on family and friends is immeasurable.”

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Lockdown meant the service had to quickly adapt, but it has now resumed face-to face-support.

Leeds actor and musician Nick Davis. Picture: Ina Elena.Leeds actor and musician Nick Davis. Picture: Ina Elena.
Leeds actor and musician Nick Davis. Picture: Ina Elena.

Mr Wilson said: “The service has just had its best ever year and this is down to the hard work of our staff. They have really come into their own during lockdown. The first thing we did in lockdown was to individually call all 3,300 of our current clients to check on how they were doing.

“We’ve been continuing to work with clients throughout lockdown, over the phone and online and we’ve just started to have people back into our hubs again so we can see them face-to-face.”

Leeds City Council’s executive member for health, wellbeing and adults said: “Forward Leeds continues to make a massive positive impact on the lives of thousands of individuals and families affected by drug and alcohol use. Offering information, advice and support to anyone who needs it, the service has continued to improve.

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“The way it quickly and effectively adapted, and continued to take referrals, during the Covid-19 pandemic, is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of its staff.”

Last year, the service was awarded a three year extension to its contract by Leeds City Council, to run until July 2023.

Humankind chief executive officer Paul Townsley said: “It’s a fantastic service and what I’m proudest of is that it delivers a range of services, to a massive population, with a lot of people successfully coming out of treatment as well. I think it’s the best model in the country for partnership working in a large city.”

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