Former mayor sets up new charity

Councillor Jane Mackenzie, who was mayor from 2017 to 2018, is setting up Share Shrewsbury to improve services for local people suffering from addiction.

She told members of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club why she chose to support people who are trying to overcome problems with addiction.

She said individuals with substance misuse problems were "unfairly stigmatised and marginalised, and when they are in desperate need of help society often turns its back and walks away".

Jane said: “Individuals with substance misuse problems suffer from a dreadful, complicated condition which is misunderstood by society. It is a condition which kills.

“The vast majority have already faced disadvantage or trauma in their lives. And once they develop an addiction they face discrimination and stigma all over again.

“This time it is often those very services which should be offering support and solutions that turn their backs on service users in their moment of greatest need.

“The attitude of hospital staff which leads to those with serious medical complications being discharged without proper treatment. The unwillingness of some GPs to engage with, or even take on, patients with substance misuse problems.”

She added: “We know there is an overwhelming relationship between substance misuse and psychological problems. That these conditions must be looked at as a whole.

“However, there is an unwillingness of mental health services to assess and treat individuals until they have stopped using substances for six months. It just doesn’t make sense – and it must change.

“Through my charity, I want to make a difference to an often overlooked, stigmatised, vulnerable group, a group that may include our friends, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, sisters, mothers or fathers.

“I’ve met an amazing group of people in recovery, all so diverse and different. What they did have in common was a strength, a determination and an optimism throughout their journey that was infectious and inspiring.

“But every day they face a silent battle – a battle no-one else can begin to understand.”

She said her brand new charity, Share Shrewsbury, would make a difference to other people’s lives.

She spoke of her mayoral charity, Shropshire Recovery Partnership – which will carry on – and the support it gave people who are recovering from substance abuse.

“The help they give enables people of all ages to regain their self respect, get back into work and re-build family life," she said.

Councillor Mackenzie said she is hoping to set up a base in the town centre where people can meet to share their time, skills and experiences with others who need help.

She also wants to set up a support group there for the family and friends of those suffering from addiction in all its forms and is looking for an administrator and someone with book-keeping experience to come on board to get the charity going.