Powys MS backs Kaleidoscope's work to tackle drug and alcohol stigma in county

Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd MS James Evans has praised the work of Kaleidoscope after visiting its team in Knighton and hearing first-hand about the support being provided to people affected by drug and alcohol use across Powys.

James recently met Kaleidoscope Chief Executive Rondine Molinaro and members of the local team at Knighton Civic Centre.

The visit followed an earlier meeting between James and Rondine in Brecon earlier this month to discuss the wider pressures facing drug and alcohol services across Wales.

During the visit, staff and people with lived experience spoke about the stigma that can still surround drug and alcohol services, particularly in smaller rural communities where concerns around privacy, confidentiality and being recognised can prevent people from seeking help.

Figures shared with James by Kaleidoscope also highlight the demand for support locally. As of August 5, the service had a combined caseload of 254 across Brecknockshire and Radnorshire.

The meeting also covered wider barriers to recovery, including access to suitable housing, support for people leaving prison, mental health needs and the increasing range of challenges substance misuse workers are helping people to navigate.

James heard about the importance of providing safe and welcoming spaces where people can access support without judgement, as well as the value of people with lived experience using their own experiences to help others overcome stigma and take the first steps towards recovery.

James Evans MS, Shadow Cabinet Minister for Health, Prevention and Sport, said: “It was really valuable to spend time with the Kaleidoscope team in Knighton and hear directly from the people providing support on the ground, as well as those with lived experience.

“One message came through incredibly clearly, stigma remains one of the biggest barriers stopping people from asking for help. People struggling with drugs or alcohol are still people, and they deserve compassion, dignity and access to confidential support without feeling judged or labelled.

“The figures show there is a real demand for these services across Brecknockshire and Radnorshire. Recovery also cannot be looked at in isolation. Housing, mental health, employment and people’s wider circumstances can all play a part, and services like Kaleidoscope are increasingly helping people navigate those challenges.

“Kaleidoscope provides an essential service across Powys and I am very happy to support the work they are doing. I will continue working with Rondine and the team and raising the issues they have highlighted with the relevant organisations and Welsh Government.”

Rondine Molinaro, Chief Executive of Kaleidoscope, said: “We were delighted to welcome James to Knighton and give him the opportunity to hear directly from our team and people with lived experience about the realities of accessing drug and alcohol support in rural communities.

“Stigma can be an enormous barrier to recovery. Nobody should feel ashamed or afraid to access support because they are worried about how they will be viewed by others in their community.

“Our teams work every day to provide compassionate, non-judgemental support and to help people address not only substance use, but the wider challenges around housing, mental health and wellbeing that can make recovery so difficult.

“We welcome James’s interest in our work and his commitment to helping raise these issues, and we look forward to continuing to work with him to improve support for people across Powys.”