Evaluation of the Achieve Drug and Alcohol treatment and recovery service in Greater Manchester

The Achieve partnership brings together cross-sector organisations to provide support and treatment for those struggling with drug and/or alcohol addiction across Bolton, Bury, Salford and Trafford in Greater Manchester. This includes providing wrap around support for a range of social needs which can have a huge impact on recovery, such as housing, employment, training and education and mutual aid.

The Achieve partners are:

  • Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH, project Lead)
  • Big Life Group
  • Early Break
  • Great Places Housing
  • Intuitive Thinking Skills
  • Salford CVS
  • Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (part of Northern Care Alliance)
  • Those on the Margins of Society (THOMAS)

SQW was commissioned by GMMH and the Big Life Group, on behalf of the Achieve partnership, to conduct an evaluation of the Achieve Drug and Alcohol Service. The evaluation involved a series of in-depth interviews with service users, partners involved in delivering the service, wider stakeholders (including those referring in and supporting those exiting the service), and commissioners, plus focus groups with volunteers involved in service delivery and voluntary sector organisations, and a review of documentation and service monitoring data.

Our evaluation report found that the service’s collaborative and holistic approach to supporting people with addictions is overwhelmingly positive, and successful in responding to the multifaceted and complex needs of individuals. The partnership model works effectively, with GMMH providing effective leadership and modelling the necessary culture and behaviours, with all partners benefitting from access to NHS training, resources and platforms.

The report also highlighted a number of recommendations to further improve the partnership’s offer. These included: awareness-raising and training for partners to thoroughly understand the offer of each partner; and further opportunities for information-sharing, evaluation, co-design, and reflection on and celebration of the work done.

The findings were announced by SQW at a partnership event in July.

Further information about Achieve Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services can be found here. If you have any questions about the evaluation please contact Lauren Roberts, SQW Director.