Swindon addiction programme marks first year of turning lives around
Needle and Syringe Programme celebrates success after transforming lives
The Needle and Syringe Programme (NSP) at The Salvation Army’s Swindon Booth House Lifehouse has been celebrating its first anniversary.
Dedicated to supporting individuals dealing with addiction, the programme helps users access clean equipment and begin conversations about recovery. Over the past year, 109 needle exchanges have taken place, and 976 pieces of equipment have been provided through the initiative.
Connor Graham, a support worker at the Lifehouse, explained how the NSP is built on principles of harm reduction.
Connor said, “someone suffering with an addiction will find a way. If we don't provide clean needles, people will reuse old ones or find them in car parks. We're giving them the means to stay safe, protect their health, and, most importantly, creating a chance to talk.”
Through the programme, individuals can access services anonymously via a vending machine or engage with staff, leading to conversations that Connor describes as an opportunity to guide individuals towards health resources and recovery services.
Paul Kyson, Harm Reduction Lead, praised the programme’s ability to facilitate engagement while collecting used syringes, noting that it protects the wider community by reducing the hazards of discarded sharps.
Paul said, “while it is difficult to count how many lives have been transformed, the visible evidence of used needles returned and clean ones taken demonstrates harm reduction in action.”
The initiative also collaborates with organisations including Swindon Borough Council and drug and alcohol service CGL, sharing data with consent to identify individuals who may need further help.
The programme provides Naloxone pens to reverse overdoses, offers advice through staff discussions, and tracks trends to anticipate and address crises.
Swindon Booth House Lifehouse, where this service is offered, is a 50-bed accommodation centre aimed at supporting individuals over 18 experiencing homelessness. Alongside the NSP, the centre provides a variety of services such as addiction recovery programmes, life skills training, healthcare access, and employment guidance.