Prevention & Service Support Team - NHS Ayrshire & Arran

28/07/2026

Is your team looking to enhance their skills and knowledge around alcohol and drugs?

The Prevention & Service Support Team offers bespoke training tailored to the needs of your service.

Whether you're looking to build confidence, develop staff knowledge, or explore specific topics around alcohol and drug use, we can work with you to design training that fits your team.

⭐ Our training is free to services across Ayrshire & Arran.

Our team are also available to support local events by hosting information stalls across Ayrshire & Arran, helping raise awareness and provide resources around alcohol and drug use.

Interested in finding out more?

You can get in touch with us directly for more information or submit a training request using the form below.

📩 Email: [email protected]
📝 Training request form:
https://forms.office.com/e/abavHCvCJT

We look forward to working with you to support your team.

10/07/2026

🍷 Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 | Day 5

💚 Looking after your mental wellbeing

As part of Alcohol Awareness Week, we're sharing this information on behalf of the East Ayrshire ADP to help raise awareness of the impact alcohol can have on both physical and mental health.

❓Do you experience anxiety or depression?

Alcohol is a depressant, which means that regular drinking, particularly binge drinking, can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression.

💡 Visit the Alcohol Focus Scotland website to learn more about how alcohol could be affecting your mental health, along with practical tips to help reduce your alcohol intake: https://orlo.uk/im5td

🤝 You can also visit the East Ayrshire Council website for information on local recovery services: https://orlo.uk/GgEPp

Remember, support is available, and taking small steps towards reducing your alcohol intake can have a positive impact on your overall wellbeing.

09/07/2026

🍷 Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 | Day 4

✨ Small changes can make a big difference!

As part of Alcohol Awareness Week, we're sharing this information on behalf of the East Ayrshire ADP to help raise awareness of the benefits of reducing your alcohol intake.

From more money in your wallet 💷 to more spring in your step 🚶, even small reductions in drinking can have a big impact.

💚 Reducing your alcohol consumption can:
✔️ Lower your risk of alcohol-related health problems.
💷 Save you money.
😊 Help you feel healthier and more energised.

💡 Learn more about the benefits of cutting down and discover practical tips to reduce your alcohol intake by visiting the Alcohol Focus Scotland website: https://orlo.uk/im5td

🤝 You can also visit the East Ayrshire Council website for information on local recovery services: https://orlo.uk/GgEPp

08/07/2026

🍷 Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 | Day 3

Did you know? 👀

1 in 2 people in Scotland don't know that alcohol causes cancer.

As part of Alcohol Awareness Week, we're sharing this information on behalf of the East Ayrshire ADP to help raise awareness of the health risks associated with alcohol.

📢 Alcohol Focus Scotland is campaigning for the introduction of mandatory health warning labels on alcohol products to help people make informed choices about their drinking.

💡 Find out how alcohol could be affecting your health, along with practical tips to help you cut down your alcohol intake, by visiting the Alcohol Focus Scotland website: https://orlo.uk/im5td

🤝 You can also visit the East Ayrshire Council website for information on local recovery services: https://orlo.uk/GgEPp

07/07/2026

🍷 Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 | Day 2

Do you know your units? 🤔

As part of Alcohol Awareness Week, we're sharing this information on behalf of the East Ayrshire ADP to help raise awareness and support healthier choices.

It's recommended that you don't regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, spread over at least 3 days, to help keep the health risks from alcohol low. This guidance is the same for both men and women.

📊 To put this into real terms:

🍺 A pint of average-strength beer = 2 units
🍷 A 125ml glass of wine = 2 units
🥃 A double measure of spirits = 2 units

💡 If you're looking to cut down your alcohol intake, here are some simple steps you can take:

💧 Drink water or a soft drink between alcoholic drinks.
🍺 Choose lower-strength alcoholic drinks.
📅 Have more alcohol-free days each week.

For more tips on cutting down and drinking more safely, visit the Alcohol Focus Scotland website: https://orlo.uk/im5td

🤝 You can also visit the East Ayrshire Council website for information on local recovery services: https://orlo.uk/GgEPp

06/07/2026

🍷 Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 | 6th to 12th July

Whether it’s enjoying a glass of wine after a busy week, catching up over drinks with friends and family 🥂, or sipping cocktails in the sunshine on holiday ☀️, there’s no denying that alcohol is a normal part of life for many of us.

📅 This week marks Alcohol Awareness Week (6 to 12 July). On behalf of the East Ayrshire ADP, we'll be sharing information throughout the week to raise awareness of the effects alcohol can have on your ❤️ health, 😴 sleep, ⚖️ weight, 😊 mood and even your 💷 wallet.

While many people enjoy alcohol responsibly, we all know that drinking too much can have serious consequences, which is why it’s important to be mindful of your alcohol intake.

💡 Throughout the week, we'll also be sharing simple, practical ways to cut down your alcohol intake so you can:
✨ Feel better
💚 Look after your health
💷 Save money
🌟 Get more out of life

👀 Keep an eye on our social media throughout the week, and click the link in the comments for support and advice if you're concerned about your own drinking or someone else's.

02/07/2026

EACHA will begin delivering ‘Alcohol Awareness’ sessions on Monday 6th July to mark the start of Alcohol Awareness week.

Alcohol Awareness Week runs from the 6th to the 12th of July 2026 and the topic this year is 'Alcohol and Me' this group is for adults concerned about their own drinking - if you are interested, please go along to 9, 19 John Dickie St, Kilmarnock KA1 1HW at 11 am to hear more.

to find out more please email Diane Conway - [email protected]

Just a reminder that our Alcohol Awareness Sessions start on Monday 6th of July at 11 am

12/06/2026

🌱 RECOVERY & RELAPSE PREVENTION TRAINING

📅 Thursday 25 June 2026
⏰ 10:00am - 1:00pm
📍 Training Centre, Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine

Recovery is a journey, not a destination.

This engaging training course explores the principles of recovery, the support services available across Ayrshire, and practical approaches to relapse prevention that can help individuals sustain positive change.

Ideal for anyone supporting people affected by substance use, particularly those working with individuals who are actively working towards recovery.

✅ Explore different recovery models and concepts
✅ Understand the value of peer support interventions
✅ Define key relapse prevention terminology
✅ Learn practical therapeutic approaches used in relapse prevention work
✅ Understand medications used to support relapse prevention
✅ Increase awareness of pan-Ayrshire recovery services and support pathways

By the end of the session, participants will have greater confidence in supporting recovery journeys and responding effectively when relapse prevention work is required.

🌿 Supporting recovery. Building resilience. Strengthening communities.

📩 Interested in attending?
Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/XCMuPDdrAH

12/06/2026

💉 HARM REDUCTION TRAINING COURSE

📅 Thursday 18 June 2026
⏰ 10:00am - 1:00pm
📍 Training Centre, Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine

Are you supporting people affected by substance use?

Join us for this engaging Harm Reduction Training Course and build your knowledge, confidence and practical skills to support individuals who may be at risk from drug-related harm.

✅ Understand the principles of harm reduction
✅ Explore Naloxone and overdose prevention
✅ Learn effective Change Talk techniques
✅ Understand the role of Injecting Equipment Provision (IEP) services
✅ Recognise high-risk injecting practices
✅ Identify common wounds and infections associated with injecting drug use
✅ Learn how to prevent infections through safe injecting advice, hand hygiene and safe sharps disposal

This course is particularly beneficial for anyone working with people who use drugs, especially those who inject substances.

By the end of the session, you'll have a greater understanding of the support, interventions and practical harm reduction messages that can help save lives.

📩 Interested in attending?
Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/XCMuPDdrAH

14/05/2026

🤰💬 PREGNANCY & SUBSTANCE USE TRAINING NOW OPEN FOR BOOKINGS 💬🤰

Supporting someone through pregnancy can be complex. Add substance use into the mix and the conversations, challenges, and support needs can become even more layered. This training session is designed to help build understanding, confidence, and compassionate practice for those supporting families affected by parental substance use.

📚 This course explores:
• The impact different substances can have during pregnancy
• Breastfeeding and parental wellbeing
• Stigma and societal attitudes
• Parenting and family impacts
• Support approaches for women and families

Ideal for professionals, support workers, carers, and anyone working alongside people affected by pregnancy & substance use or parental alcohol/drug use.

🗓 Tuesday 26th May
⏰ 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Crosshouse Hospital

This course complements our Female Drug Use training and helps deepen understanding of the unique experiences and barriers women may face 💜

📲 Spaces are limited, so get booked on early!
🔗 https://forms.office.com/e/3HUfiRtnEW