Annual Report

I view Lauren's Link from 2 different angles, as a past desperate parent, and today a not so desperate parent and Vice Chair

From a Parent's view

In 2006 my comfortable, boring and slightly blinkered lifestyle changed as a result of my son's extreme and out of character behaviour. It took me and my wife some time to work out that drugs were the reason. After a few phone calls we were referred onto Lauren's Link and we soon made an appointment to see Annette and Bern. We began going to the Tuesday night group, listening to other parents/carers experiences and when major events occurred help was always available by phone or face to face. Our journey involved learning about drugs, the behaviour they caused, coping strategies and target setting. We accepted that it was our son’s choice to do what he was doing and that it was not a failing on our part.

Our son now has turned his life around, has a flat, a part time job, is a volunteer in the charity shop and has stayed out of trouble. We still attend the Tuesday Group to offer support to parents, partners and grandparents whose stories are all different but all share similar easy to say but difficult to implement coping strategies.

Without the support from Annette, Bern, Kim, Jan and all the parents/carers I don't know where I would be now!

From a Vice Chair's View

Becoming a trustee, then Vice Chair, was a daunting role, but I felt I needed to give something back to Laurens Link for the help I had received.

Over the past years we have faced a number of difficult issues and have overcome them with everyone pulling together. It's reassuring that the importance of parents/carers in drug treatment has now been recognised at all levels, with our partners in Derby pioneering some national initiatives. Hopefully, with that recognition some additional funding will follow.

Gary assisted by Phillipa (or was it the other way round!) ran another successful Golf day in June with more teams entering than previously. Suggestions from all involved should make future events even more of a success.

The charity shop, Lauren's, continues to go from strength to strength raising the profile of Lauren's Link, providing extra income, work experience and responsibility for our children.

Thank you to Annette, Bern, Jan, volunteers, funding bodies and fellow board members for all your hard work.

The FANTASTIC thing about Lauren's Link is the unconditional respectful way that we deal with clients permeates throughout the whole of the organisation at all levels.

Lauren's Link has changed my life and I am PROUD to be Vice Chair.

Ian Oliver
Vice Chair

Reports available: 2008/9 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005