Movement for Change Launch Events - ‘Connecting Families – Let’s get started!’
Regional Events for people to come together, socialise and participate, building social contact and connections, and reducing loneliness, social isolation and stigma (by association and by self) felt by many families.
What
Scottish Families will co-host 10 regional events across Scotland with local community members and organisations in 10 different areas of Scotland.  Each event will look to achieve the common objectives as set out above, but each event will be shaped by local partners, families affected and community members.
We hope that these events will begin to shape a new grassroots movement for change, building families’ confidence, skills and relationships. Wider and stronger networks will help build new connections and capacity; share experiences, learning and ideas; and create social change.
 Why
We asked families what matters to them and what we could do together about it.  Families talked to us about the transformative impact of social contact and connections with others in the same situation:
“Many people are just completely disconnected.”
“People in addiction – including families – their voice is very, very small.”
“[We need] more community spirit being created and more connections between people.”
“We shouldn’t be hidden, we should be visual and vocal.”
“Linking different communities is important, we are the only family support group in the area.”
“At last other people who really understand the kind of stuff you go through when trying to support someone with addiction issues. No one judging you or saying I would do this or you should do that. … Thank goodness we found each other.”
 Who
We are aiming to engage 500 people over ten events across Scotland – 50 people per event with approximately 15 families, 20 residents and 15 influencers attending.  We are keen to host this event to engage with families who have lived-experience of addiction and those supporting recovery as well as other members of the local community. We would also like to collaborate/build links with key representatives from organisations that are active in the area.
 How
These events have at their heart collaboration from design to delivery.  We want the events to be visible in the local community and for everyone involved to benefit from the connection it brings. Would you be willing to partner with us? 
And you can see some of the photos from previous events on our twitter feed @ScotFamADrugs and @susiesfad by using the hashtag #connectingfamilies


www.sfad.org.uk

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