Skye and Lochalsh Council on Alcohol (SLCA)

SLCA was formed in 1983 following a succession of steering group meetings held under the chairmanship of the late Mr John Ball. The first office premises were located on The Green, Portree. In 1987 they moved to Dunvegan Road and in 2006 we moved to the current office in Victoria Cottage, Portree. There was an identified need for a counselling service recognised by the steering group and volunteer counsellors were selected and trained. In the first 6 years of its existence, SLCA’s work involved counselling, advice and information on alcohol-related issues and from 1989 its services have expanded to include education, training and community awareness in addition to the counselling service. It is important to remember that alcohol is the most widely used drug in our society causing harm to many people in our communities. Since the early 1990’s the content of counsellors’ training courses have included both alcohol and illegal drugs.

Counselling Service

SLCA offer a free, professional and confidential one-to-one counselling service for anyone experiencing problems due to substance misuse by themselves or others. The effects of problem drinking are not restricted to the individual. Few of us live in isolation. We form social groupings, or families, and problem drinking can affect the whole family. This service is therefore not only available to the person misusing but also anyone affected by living or working with someone who is misusing. The husband/wife, children, friends or work colleagues can use our counselling service and many have done so over the years.

When problem drinking affects a family there are some things that you can do to help. You can face up to the problem as a family by talking together. Most children are aware that something is wrong and in the absence of information can become anxious and fearful. You can access information and support for yourself and your children and can refuse to let the drinker blame you or others for the problem. You can also encourage the problem drinker to seek help and support them to do this. Following a recent training course SLCA now have counsellors trained to offer their services to youngsters under the age of 18 in addition to adults.

Clients can self-refer to SLCA or referrals can be made by GP’s, Social Workers, Alcohol Liaison Nurse, Community Psychiatric Nurse (Addictions), Health Visitors, Police, Churches, Court, Employers and Hospitals. In Skye & Lochalsh, counselling takes place in either health centres or Social Work offices - so anyone seeing you entering these premises will not assume you were attending for counselling. You can expect a warm welcome from the counsellor, complete confidentiality and information and support for yourself and your family. In return you will be expected to commit to a programme of change agreed with your counsellor, let us know if you are unable to attend an agreed appointment and not attend sessions while under the influence of any substance. Counselling sessions normally last approximately one hour on a weekly basis and are arranged at a mutually agreed time and place.

Education Projects

SLCA have an alcohol awareness programme with local schools. Each year talks are given to youngsters in the area’s twenty-one Primary schools. These talks are for Primary 7 children and usually take place between Easter and the end of the summer term just before the youngsters move on to High School. SLCA believes that it is important that youngsters are given the opportunity to learn about alcohol and given information about the harmful effects when this substance is misused.

Training

The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that all staff serving or selling alcohol are trained. The training must cover an agreed syllabus that can be delivered either by a personal licence-holder, through using a workbook under the supervision of a personal licenceholder or by undertaking formal training to gain a nationally recognised certificate such as the Servewise Certificate for staff working in Scottish Licensed Premises. SLCA is one of the registered centres in Scotland for delivering Servewise training courses for, in conjunction with Alcohol Focus Scotland and City& Guilds. Licensees are required to pass the Certificate for Scottish Licence Holders exam before they can apply to the Licensing Board for their personal licence. Each course focuses on the legal responsibilities of personal licence holders and the different management issues relevant to the particular types of licensed premises. Each course covers:

• Licensing law
• Licensing officials
• Other key legislation
• Alcohol
• The premises environment

Community Awareness

SLCA in partnership with the Skye and Lochalsh Drug and Alcohol Forum will deliver seminars in localities throughout the area. In recent years these have been arranged in most areas through communicating with Community Councils and have also included presentations from Northern Constabulary and NHS Highland.

Anyone wishing further information on any of our projects or who would like to make an appointment with one of our counsellors please contact Donald Beaton, Manager at 01478 612633 or donald.beaton@btconnect.com

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