OTW.22

OffTheWallNo.22Summer

2011

in this issue... Start Playing Football! / Amazing Photos / Off The Wall on tour!Time Out: Books, Films, Poems & Web / What’s On at DHI

I n f o r m a t I v e l s u p p o r t I v e l c r e a t I v e

INSIDE!your guIDE to

what’S oN at DhIBath & North EaSt SomErSEt South gloucEStErShIrE

SwINDoN

The DHI Allotment“As a service user of DHI in Bath I was told of a gardening project on their allotment in Victoria Park and being a fan of anything natural I thought I’d give it a shot.I was introduced to Louis Wearing and his enthusiasm for all things green was very encouraging. I started coming on a regular basis and there was always a lot to do, from planting veggies to hard lanscaping to just chilling out and relaxing by the pond, feeding the goldfish.

I can highly recommend getting involved if you are in need of some meaningful occupation, and getting back on track, I’m hoping to get into a gardening career and set up a little business selling veggies to people on low incomes.”

If you want to get involved contact us on [email protected]

Midsomer Norton Rural

Recovery Hub

New free and confidential Multi-Agency Drug and Alcohol Service for Midsomer Norton,

incorporating employment and housing information and support

l

Address: The Cottage, High StreetMidsomer Norton BA3 2DP

(behind the Midsomer Norton Sainsburys store)l

For further information about services available and opening times contact:

01225 329411

We look forward to seeing you!

South GloS. ActivitieS

hi all.i’d like to invite all South Glos Service users to join up for Art Group and Music therapy

at tower Road North. Judith is our Art teacher and every Monday morning between 10am-1pm you can come along and get your

hands dirty! We produce work that will go on display and learn new skills and techniques that will enable you to have a new skill that you can take back home into your own life

and add another string to your bow!

And on tuesday morning between 11.30am-12.30pm there is a music therapy group

where we get together with some musical instruments, (piano, organ, guitars,

harmonicas, drums etc) make some noise and try to makes some tunes!! Meet at tower Road North for 11.15am and come

and join in the fun!!

the next meeting will be on thursday 24th March at the Bungalow Yate at 3pm-4pm

If you want to get involved contact us on [email protected]

Patron Midge Ure Off The Wall Editorial Team Feature writers: Jim Timoney, Alan Cupit, Steve Wood. Jokes & Window on the web: Steve; Books & Poetry editor: Jim; Recipes: Justin Yates & Rachel Contributors Alan Cupit, Steve Langston, Rebecca Warner, Collete Lyons, Saffron Reid, Bex McQueen, Geoff Fitzgerald, Joe Mead, Andrew, Sam, Jessica Lovelace, Ian Pound.Check us out online: www.dhi-online.org.uk/off_the_wall Get in touch! Off The Wall Magazine 15/16 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DE Tel 01225 329411 Email [email protected]. Copyright © 2010 DHI. All rights reserved. The Group of Seven assist with production.

Hello! Welcome to our summer edition of ‘Off The Wall’ magazine. There’s a feature on the DHI football team and look out for the new puzzle page! There are also some poems near the back and we also have a bunch of fitness facts all about lifestyle and exercise. Enjoy the summer sun (!) and we look forward to enhancing your life in the Autumn.Jess

contents Start Playing Football 410 Questions 6Puzzle Corner 7Access All Areas 8More Amazing Photos 10Old Age Never Comes Alone 11Time Out: Books, Music & Puzzles 12Time Out: Health & Books 14Time Out: Poems, Jokes & Pics 16What’s On at DHI: B&NES 18What’s On at DHI: South Glos. 20What’s On at DHI: Swindon 21Letters Page 22Useful Info 23The Back Page 24

3Off The Wall No.22, Summer 2011

Pictured clockwise from above: More amazing pics from Jess; Off

The Wall on tour in Morocco; The Lucifer Code is reviewed by Al.

swads will be present all week in swindon town centre, issuing drink calculators, and advising on what a unit of alcohol is and how to maintain safe drinking.

On the morning of Saturday 14th May, hundreds of people converged on the playing fields of John O Gaunt School in Trowbridge to compete in the annual Wasp (Wiltshire Addiction Support Project) football tournament. Fourteen teams came to compete for an impressive football shaped trophy from Wasp, Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire County Council, and a group of workers and service users from Bath. This is their story.

The Fourteen teams were split into two leagues with the top four from each league advancing into the later stages of the tournament. The Bath contingent were split into two teams named Start & Co. A and B, both managed by Steve Brindle. The games lasted for ten minutes.

Start & Co. B had a tough time in the league stages winning one, drawing one, and losing four. This left them in sixth place in the league after a great goal by Ashley, some brave goalkeeping performances by Lizzie, and valient defensive efforts of Leon. Start & Co. B, unfortunatly, did not make it in to the final stages of the tournament.

Start & Co. A were more fortunate in their league games winning two, drawing three, and losing one of their six games. The

highlight of these games was a decisive four-nil victory over the Drop in/Drop out team with goals from Andy, Steve Brindle, Wayne, and a slinky finish from yours truly to open the scoring. There was a tense couple of minutes as the organisers tallied up the final results before announcing...that Start & Co. A had made it into the final stages of the tournament in fourth place. Yay!

At this point, our two teams became one to compete in the final stages of the tournament with the blessing of the

organisers. After finishing in fouth place we were drawn against the winners from league A which was the team from Wiltshire County Council. This was quite daunting as they were the team who had won the tournament last season and from their league positioning, it was obvious they had not lost their touch.

It was a tight game with both teams giving everything they had to get a goal but to no avail. It ended in a 0-0 draw and set up a dreaded penalty shoot

out. This was dominated by a towering performance in goal by Start & Co. first team goalkeeper Mick who let in just one penalty

with somes incredible saves. Penalties were scored by Steve and myself to set up one final penalty to put us in the semi’s. Step up DHI legend Nik Browne who showed no nerves in tucking a beautiful penalty into the corner of

the net cheered on by his daughter at the sidelines.In the semi finals, we were

pitted against a fit, young team of Wiltshire Policemen. We ran our hearts out to keep up but

4 Off The Wall No.22, Summer 2011

Geoff Fitzgerald reports as Bath service users came up against members of the local council and police in an epic footballing clash...

start playing football!

“the Bath contingent were split into two teams named start & co. a and B, both managed by steve Brindle. the games lasted for ten minutes”


were just pipped to the post by a fortunate goal almost saved by Mick. I don’t wish to be a sore loser but I felt that they cheated by practicing and being really fit! We were happy with our efforts and ready to go home to a warm bed and a footspa, when one of the organisers came running after us to inform us that we were to compete in the third/fourth place play off.

We were up against Amber, a housing project from Trowbridge. None of their players looked much over 20 which was unfortunate as none of our team looked much under 40! Our legs were gone by this point but we

still managed a 0-0 draw to set up another penalty shoot out. It was close but we just missed out finishing 4th overall. This was a shame as third place would have got us a medal and our picture in the paper but I think it was a good result as it clearly meant more to the Amber boys than it did to us.

A really great day was had by all Start & Co. players and by the other teams we spoke to. Thank you to Wasp for putting on such a professionally run day with refreshments and food put on for lunch. Thank you to our supporters on the touchline including DHI’s very

own Spike and his son who is a football star of the future. My final and biggest thank you goes to Steve Brindle for organising, encouraging, and managing our team so close to success. Steve gives up a lot of his spare time to support meaningful activites within the community and without volunteers like Steve, drug services in Bath would be a much lesser place.

Steve’s football training runs from 6pm-7.30pm on Monday nights. He plays golf above Victoria Park several times a week. Drop in to Dhi for more information on these activites or if you would like to help out.

start playing football!

how and why did you get to this point in your career and why did you want to get into this type of work in the first place?I wanted to work in this line since coming into recovery myself a few years ago. I went to University and studied counselling. I did my second placement at Addiction Recovery Agency after working with Mothers with Post Natal Depression. I really enjoyed both placements, and feel passionate about women’s issues in particular, but also about working with people who have a come from a background of abuse and are using substances to deal with it.

what do you find most rewarding about your job?The most rewarding thing is when we achieve a good result, so that a client is able to make substantial changes to their life.

what do you find most difficult about your job?The most difficult thing is dealing with the emotions I think when you are working with someone who has had a really difficult past and is struggling with the effects of substance misuse, such as losing custody of their children.

in the event of a zombie apocalypse what steps would you take to ensure your survival?Go and get my children and then lock myself in a big supermarket, pull down all the metal shutters,

and find some good things to use as weapons at least there would be plenty of food and stuff.

what are your career and life goals?I would like to continue to do the work I do at

the moment and just develop my skills as much as I can really. One day when my children have left home I would love to go and does some charity work abroad, Africa or somewhere.

what is you favourite book, film, album and plate of food?Favourite book is the origin of ‘The Golden compass’ film and is called ‘The Northern Lights’ by Phillip Pullman. It is a Trilogy in fact and once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. Film is probably lock stock and snatch – so funny. Album – there is loads can’t really think I like Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon. Food def a curry!

in twenty words describe your perfect night out?Going out with friends of course, having a good laugh and lots of nice food.

if you were PM what laws would you introduce or change?Don’t get me started! I would have to look at the current laws around sex

working. After the multiple killings of sex workers in Ipswich I think it was, there was some talk about having a ‘safe place’ in each town where these girls could work from. Of course it never happened and we only get to hear the tip of the ice burg through the media about the extent of the problem. Domestic violence would also be high on my agenda with more refuges and I would want specialist refuges for women with substance misuse issues. I would also have to look at drug laws again I think but I can’t really go into it now as I will take up pages on it!

who would be your perfect dinner party guests?It would have to be funny people and I love Joanna Lumley, Fern Britten, Michael Mcintire, Richard Hammond would be good too, there is too many really I could go on forever.

what were your childhood aspirations and which

ones have you fulfilled?I don’t think I really had any childhood aspirations, I think I lived in the moment and never really

thought about the future much which

probably wasn’t a good thing really! otw


OTW rEGULAr

20 QuestionsOff The Wall speaks to Joe Mead, DHI’s Criminal Justice Treatment Worker about counselling and having a good laff...

I 10


FUN!

Puzzle cornerGood luck with our cryptic summer puzzles...

2a & 4d

4a

1a & 1d 2d 3d 5d

3a

5a 6d

8a

11a & 9d

7d 8d9a

12a

10d

6a

7a

10a

down1. Nudist, Bum, Ball2. 99, good with a flake3. Creepy crawlies4. Longest and shortest – one in summer and one in winter5. Cornish surf beach6. Her name was 2 months before summer7. Scilly Wight Man8. Go junior racing9. Football cup at the start of summer 10. What the heating shouldn’t be in summer

across1. Itsy bitsy, teeny weeny, yellow polka dot...2. 93 million miles from earth3. Capital of Greece4. Beaches are bigger at ___ tide5&6. If you hang around a barbers long enough you’ll end up with a ____ ___7. What would you do to 2 down.8. Stick the kids in the play ____9. Sun’s out, your not ill ... you throw a _____10. Where do you cool off?11. Sweet way of cleaning your teeth12. Camp as a row of _____

summer crossword andrew’s 60s quiz

events1. In 1960, Cameroon gained it’s independence from which country?2. When John F. Kennedy became US president, who did he take over from?3. Who became the first American in space in 196?4. Which Russian leader was expelled from office in 1964 for his increasingly erratic and authoritarian behaviour?5. Which famous steam locomotive made its last scheduled run in January 1963?

tV1. When Doctor Who began in 1963, who played the Doctor?2. Which US comedy series concerned the adventures of the Clampett family?3. Who played the leading roles in Steptoe and Son?4. Which live broadcast was viewed by 600 million people around the world?5. Which year saw the premieres of both Z Cars and The Saint?

Music1. What’s the title of the Beatles’ first No.1?2. Two of Cliff Richard’s 1960’s No.1s were the title songs from films. Which two films?3. Who had a 1967 No.1 with “A Whiter Shade of Pale”?4. Who had a 1966 No.1 with “Sunny Afternoon”?5. What was the last No.1 of the 1960s?

ANSW

ERS

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SUE!

Keynsham Music Festival Sun 3rd july, 12 till 9.30Tel: 0117 9868683Keynsham memorial parkFour stages of great various music, a creative arena for all the family, local food + ale, interesting stalls.

street theatreSat 2nd julyExpect to see some of the best international street theatre, All afternoon under the clock tower in the centre of Keynsham town.

Cinema under the starsFri 1st july, 9.45Showing mamma mia, outside at keynsham memorial park

Peasdown Fun daySat 5th july, 12 til 4pmTel: 01761 438808Peasdown recreation field (next to church rd) face painting to coconut shys, cheerleaders to stalls giving away free gifts.

st Pauls Caribbean CarnivalSat 2nd JulyTel: 0117 94441761,oclock procession from portland square, a mini notting hill with 60,000 revelers, bands, static sounds, If you love carnivals you will love st pauls. Over 1,000 performers

on parade, sound systems on every street corner, eye-boggling costumes and food stalls galore.

the Bristol Festival of nature18-19 June, Harbourside. bnhc.org.uk It’s back with wildlife-inspired fun and discovery, including a Wildlife Garden complete with pond and bee- and butterfly-luring flowerbeds. You’ll also find green-living inspirations in the Sustainable Living Zone

and local and ethical food, drink and clothing suppliers in the market. For the kids, there’s free storytelling, puppet shows and IMAX screenings of dinosaur-age epic ‘Sea Rex’.

Good Living week 10-19 Junegoodlivingweek.comA 10-day programme of activities to inspire sustainable lifestyles. Highlights include a walking and cycling trail around Bristol’s


FEATUrE

It’s Off The Wall’s guide to free summer fun... so sing, dance, explore, walk ... just don’t pay anything and don’t travel too far!

access all areas!


best food and drink producers, and visits to homes harnessing renewable energy. Alongside the Festival of Nature, you’ll also find the annual return of Bristol’s Biggest Bike Ride (12 June: betterbybike.info/bikeride), a mass cycling event with a choice of five routes setting off from Millennium Square.

Bristol harbour Festival 29-31 Julybristolharbourfestival.co.ukCelebrates its 40th birthday at venues across the harbour, including the Amphitheatre, Queen Square and the brilliant Dance Village. A week of build-up events will include dragon boat racing and music on the water, while the weekend itself will feature the usual heady mix of live music and dance, continental market, circus area, children’s entertainment and more.

33rd Bristol international Balloon Fiesta 11-14 Augbristolballoonfiesta.co.ukAshton Court EstateBiggest balloon festival in the country! That’s in Bristol, Ashton Court Estate. Apparently it’s quite dangerous (according to our source!) as the balloons all go up at similar times and the balloons can collide with the baskets of the ones above.

25th Bristol international Festival of Kites & air Creations 3-4 Septkite-festival.org.ukAshton Court EstateBasically, anything that’s brightly coloured and uplifting - you’ll find it here! It’s happening in September at Ashton Court Estate. Have fun now!

Peasdown party in the park16 july, 12 till 7pmBeacon field, PeasdownTel: 01761 300685Live music, traditional fete & stalls.

summer concerts in the parkSundays throughout summer, 3pm. Parade gardens + Royal Victoria Park. Tel: 01225 394041Make a good old fashioned sunday, head down the park with a picnic and a blanket and enjoy the best of local brass bands.

access all areas!

10 Off The Wall No.22, Summer 2011

morE amzINg photoS By off the Wall’s Jess

On reaching the age of sixty recently, I was reminded of something the landlord of my then local told me

when I hit fifty. I was suffering from my first attack of lumbago (that’s lower back pain to the uninitiated) and he said, “Old age never comes alone, Jim.” This is proving to be even truer now I’ve passed the Big Six-Oh, even though I still feel like a teenager most of the time – unfortunately, I also tend to act like one at times!

I’ve looked in vain for any advantages that turning sixty might have. I might not feel my age, but I’ve checked my birth certificate and it’s true. My first disappointment came when I presented myself at Bath Guildhall, documents in hand, to get my bus pass. The bad news was that, under new government regulations, these passes are now issued on a ‘staggered’ basis and I can’t get mine until next January, when I shall be nearly sixty-one. Unfortunately, I’d already interviewed Don Foster by then, so it was too late to ask him why the coalition had come up with this petty way of hitting some of the poorest members of society. First Libya, now this! What are they going to hit next? The Winter Fuel Allowance I should be entitled to for the first time next winter? Maybe the pitiful Christmas bonus, which has remained at £10 since its introduction in the Seventies. That’s the end of my Lib Dem support; the coalition, in other words, Tory, government makes them no more than an extension of the Tories. Come to that, New Labour has always seemed to me

more like Old Tory. I shall vote Green in future or simply abstain.

Next up came a chest X-ray result – ‘borderline.’ Borderline what? I asked myself, imagining the worst. Lung cancer? Emphysema? TB? On seeing my GP, it transpired that my lungs, chest and heart are all A1, but I might have an enlarged thyroid gland. According to the internet, this is nowhere near as serious as my hypochondriac prognoses. I had to have a blood test to assess the situation, as well to check the state of my liver, which hadn’t been tested for about three years (a lot of cider had passed through it since then, I’m afraid). Thankfully, I was given the all-clear on both counts.

The next medical intervention? Apparently, everyone is offered the chance to test for bowel cancer on reaching the age of sixty. Taking advantage of this free offer, I duly sent off scrapings of my poo in a prepaid envelope to somewhere in Surrey. I couldn’t help sniggering at the thought of my poo wending its way by snail mail, mixed in with everyone’s letters, cards, bills, etc.

Once again, a sigh of relief when I received the all-clear.

I have also discovered that, although I still have a good head of hair, I don’t even qualify for a discount at the barber’s until I’m sixty-five. Yes, I still refer to it as the barber’s, rather than the hairdresser’s; I have my hair cut, after all, not dressed.

My message to those readers in

their fifties is – look forward to any or all of the above (or worse). To those still under fifty, I suggest you don’t worry. By the time you’re allowed to retire at ninety under coalition rules, the whole system will be different, except that the coalition will still be finding ways to make the poor poorer while keeping the rich rich.

So, having survived my entry to my sixties, what do I have to look forward to in the future? Will I be able to draw my pension from my sixty-fifth birthday or will that be ‘staggered’, too? Will I be entitled to a free TV licence at seventy-five and will it also be ‘staggered’? Never mind, perhaps I can still look forward to my greeting from the king (or coalition president?) when I reach my century.

So far, I am not too impressed by being a sexagenarian. Already, I’ve had an MOT (thankfully, a good one), what with two new pairs of specs, a new partial denture and tests on my bowels, chest, thyroid, liver and blood pressure. Yes, old age certainly does not come alone.

FEATUrE

Old age never comes alone...Jim Timoney is getting old. And it ain’t pretty ....


next up came a chest X-ray result, ‘borderline.’ Borderline what? I asked myself, imagining the worst.


timeout: reviews‘Great new discovery’Al Cupit raves about his last two reads....

the LuCiFer CodeBy Charles Brokaw

l I must confess that itís been years since I went to the library but I am now trying in small ways to find other interests to replace drinking. I may have now found it.

I picked up this particular book because after reading the foreword I was very interested. Although now you are permitted to take out 20 books at a time, I prefer to take just one. If Iím not interested within the first few pages I tend to ignore it.

On getting the book I left it for a couple of days because I wasnít sure but as soon as I picked it up and started reading I was hooked.

The main character is a man called professor Thomas Lourds. This is Charles Brokav’s second book and both have been best sellers so I will be certainly be reading the first one very soon.

It starts off with him arriving in Istanbul to meet a friend of his and to give various lectures to students at a university. After

a few pages about his arrival things start to take off very quickly and never let up.

The main theme is that he has to decode something called the Joy scroll when it is found, that depicts the end of the world. He is the best in the world at translating old documents so he is pulled from one group to the other to translate all the clues leading up the final climax.

Although it tends to give the reader several perspectives on the story, it isnít written with a ìhighbrow attitudeî like some authors do, this is a very easy read, very exciting and keeps you extremely interested from the first few pages with lots of twists and turns to keep your mouth watering for the next page.

I wont give too much of the story away but I can honestly say it is one of the best books I have ever read and I can promise you you wont be disappointed.

It is also very relevant to what is going on in the world at the moment. It ties in with current

things and really makes you think about things.

I, for one, will certainly be reading his first best seller called ‘The Atlantis Code’ The beauty is that it doesnít matter if you read them in the wrong order. I just hope that in my new interest with the library it will open me up to new experiences with reading and find more similar books to digest. Because of my new discovery, I am very excited.

Get involved with Off The Wall!Like films? Music? Books? Art? All of them? Why don’t you get in touch with the editorial team at Off The Wall and let us know exactly how you feel about tom hanks, Lady Gaga or Katie Price. Or maybe you’re a fan of the golden oldies and you’d like to share your favourite film or music memory. Whatever your taste, we’d like to hear form you, so get in touch at Off The Wall Magazine 15/16 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DE. Tel: 01225 329411 or email [email protected]


timeout: music & DvD & fun‘Great new discovery’Al Cupit raves about his last two reads....

Animal wordsearch toP oF the PoPs!The OTW team’s Top 15 albums contd.

Andrew’s favourite albumsThe Singles Collection Cliff RichardGreatest Hits QueenAbsolute ABBAYellow Submarine OST The BeatlesBridge Over Troubled... Simon And GrafunkelGreatest HitsThompson TwinsThe Very Best of ... Cat StevensBack To The Future OST Various ArtisitsLife on Mars OST Various Artisitsrevolver The BeatlesThe Very Best The EaglesGalore Kirsty MacCollPaint the Sky with StarsEnyaThe Best Sinead O’ConnorDecade Duran Duran

Sam’s Favourite singlesLinkin Park Numb Slipknot Psycosocial Flux Pavillion Cracks DJ Fresh Louder DJ Fresh All That Jazz Nero Guilt Nero Me and You Butterfly Crash Enter Pegasus Chase & Status Eastern Jam Chase & Status Smash TV Paramore Misery Business DJ Fresh DGold Dust Wretch 32 TraktorDev Bass Down Low Example Kickstart (Bar9 remix) Linkin ParkLeave out all the rest Modestep Feel GoodMuse Feeling Good Papa roach Forever

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How many of thewords below can you find?

HedgehogSnakeTigerTerrapinHorsePigTortoiseMongooseEmuKangaroo

Off The Wall No.22, Summer 201114

timeout: Healty living & film

new at dhi

FiLM niGhtevery second Monday in the month5.45pm – 7.30pm, see Julian in day Care for further information.

l Anything physical that leads to an accumalation of 30 minutes of moderate activity counts ... including: a brisk walk (10 mins); gardening (10 mins); going DIY or cleaning a car. Alternatively, you can do 2 sets of 15 minutes. Remeber the magic 30 minute target though.

If you’re starting out and not the most active person, start with 5 or 10 minutes of moderate intensity activity. Gradually build up frequency and duration of excercises and activities for health and eventually fitness.

You Heart RateThe average heart rate for a resting adult is 60 to 80 beats per minute. In women the average BPM is 5 to 10 higher when resting than men as they have proportionally smaller hearts.

The fitter you are, the slower your heart rate.

The maximum heart rate is the amount of times your heart rate beats a minute when excercising. Work out your maximum heart rate but subtracting your age from 220.

Weight management60-70% of your maximum heart rate is referred to as the ‘fat burning zone’. This particular zone is when people feel most comfortable to excercise for long periods of time. During this time, the body uses fat as it’s primary fuel source.

Your body weight will stay the same if the calories you take in are the same that you are burning.

In order to lose weight, you must achieve a deficit.

In order to lose 1lb of stored fat, a deficit of 35000kcal must be achieved.

Factors affecting Physical FitnessPhysical fitness is determined by a number of factors ...Heredity :The genetic make-up of an individual that you inherit from your parents will, in part, pre-determine the responsiveness of an individual in training.Lifestyle: Inclusing your general activity, dailiy activities (eg housework), exercise and playing

sports. Certain lifestyle habits such as smoking, heavy alcohol abuse, substance abuse can have a negative effect on physical fitness.Age: Physical capabilities tend to decline with age. However, the rate of decline can be dramatically reduced through regular exercise and activity.

Health StatusPhysical performance can be severely affected by poor health. A simp,e cold virus can be as limiting as asthma or a sprained ankle.

DietIt is important to establish helathy eating patterns to provide the body with sufficient nutrients to sustain physical activity and maintain a healthy state of function.

GET rEADY FOr...

Sam’s Fitness Guide!Get the facts on health and fitness with Off The Wall’s new fitness guru Sam.... diet plays

a big role in fitness....


PAST BOOK rEVIEWS

Blade runner by Philip K Dick (OTW21)• A weird but fascinating novel set in a post-apocalypse future where androids posing as humans are being hunted down and ‘retired’. Plenty of other oddities in the way of life to keep the reader interested.

Along Came A Spider by James Patterson (OTW21)• A gripping tale from start to finish, telling of the kidnap and murder of the children of two prominent citizens. This #1 bestseller is one of the most engrossing thrillers I’ve ever read.

What’s It All About? by Michael Caine (OTW20)• An interesting and informative insight into Caine’s life, from his humble beginnings to international stardom. Not to be confused with his recent autobiography, this one takes us up to 1992, when it was first published. A must for all Caine fans and worth reading by others, too.

Liar by Stephen Fry (OTW19)• Fry’s first novel is undeniably autobiographical in parts. It shows him as a brilliant and witty writer, adding to his many other talents.

timeout: Books

DHI Book Club meets on the first Monday of each month to discuss a book read during the preceding month. In this section, Jim Timoney aims to present a brief review of some recent Book Club titles, as well as others, thus giving a wider perspective.

daddy’s LittLe GirLBy Julia Latchem Smith

l I confess to having only joined our local library a few weeks ago and have up to now enjoyed a few good reads and was very glad I made the effort to join. This recent book was picked up by me in a matter of seconds because I had very little time and had other things to do. I am so glad now that I chose this one.

To say it was an enjoyable read is perhaps not the thing to say about this autobiography, indeed, it was at times very painful to digest what this poor girl had experienced since the age of eight years old. Having said that it certainly opened my eyes to the thoughts and ideas of a child being abused and gave me a very deep insight to a troubled mind trying to grow up and cope with her painful life.

She was born of respectable, middle class parents who, when moving to their new home some miles away, found it had not yet been completely built so had to stay short term in various hotels and a caravan park where they purchased a luxury mobile home to stay in while things were sorted out. Up to this point regardless of the disturbing rules her mother insisted on she was relatively happy and at the time had loving and caring relationship with her father who was more attentive with her and the other

children and would spent more time with them playing games and having innocent fun with them that they were denied by their mother.

A little way into her story things begin to change drastically and become harrowing and heart wrenching to say the very least when her father begins to take an abnormal interest in her

from the age of eight to fourteen.I donít think it would be at all fair, in

all honesty, to enlarge on any more of the book but it reads like a novel with numerous twists and turns at times making you hold your breath with anticipation of what’s to come next. Very often holding you in awe that it is a true story yet appears unbelievable. You have to read to the end to appreciate that that it is indeed a true account.

I usually take several slow weeks to read a book but this one had me totally hooked from the very beginning and after starting it early one evening I read it from beginning to end until two thirty in the morning when I finished it. I defy anyone not to be moved by her account of her life with her ups but mostly downs of her life. I donít mind saying that once I got into it I myself cried alone for her several times throughout the book and am even doing so now while I write this review. A truly amazing true story of survival against all the odds. You owe it to yourself to read this book.

‘I defy you not to be moved’Al Cupit reviews ‘an amazing book’....


timeout: poems & Jokes

Love by Jessica Lovelace

Sitting with this love of mine I question. Floundering about with states of

being I am left.Flowing backwards charting an

obsession that rises and peaks dancing into the arms of a god I cannot see.Everything about me cries out why?

Me? I am as I am.

Taking the time my freedom rises like an old goats skin lathered at the edges by

rough hands bearing worn soap.As tents flaps open, openings rise.

blood gushes forth.I am alive questioning how.

It,s not as i’d have it someone once said to me. I am not me unless I am

alone with the radio on and a pot of tea cooling on the sofa next to me. I am not

me but it cannot be said i did not try.The snow. Light dances. Voices rise and deafened fall into silence. the tred of feet. Footfalls. Calling into nature. Wild. Free. Stubbonly so. I get to go places I

have not yet seen.I am alone in this world of mine curtains

poen light clouds music.When.

Soft lips drip: Slience rages breaking up

atoms a smile. You are not here. You are in my thoughts. Alone I am used to this.

a Beautiful white dove

by Ian Pound

I get up everyday!I dream my life away

And I dream of pastures green and a land far away and sand glistening

yellow in the sunNo one to care but dear old mum

One day this eagle will flyAnd I will whisper farewll my love

goodbyeBut I’ll never forget your blue eyes and

your beautiful blond hair.Just tell me you love me tell me

you care.So fair well my love.

It’s goodbye my love.And one day this eagle will meet you!

A beautiful white dove.

My mate just hired an eastern european cleaner, took her 5 hours to hoover the house. turns out she

was a slovak

Came home today to find all my doors

and windows smashed in and everything gone. what sort of

sick person does that to someone’s advent

calendar…

how many Manchester united fans does it take to hange a lightbulb? three. one to

change the bulb, one to sing ‘Lightbuuuuuuulb! Lightbuuuuuuulb! and one to drive them all

home to Cardiff.


timeout: Wood’s window on the web

otw oN tour!#1 morrocco

What’s on at DHI Bath & ne somerset servicesdhi Bath 15-16 Milsom Street, BathDHI Bath 15-16 Milsom Street, Bath. Telephone: 01225 329411, Fax: 01225 334734, [email protected] Information Takeaway 31 Monmouth St, Bath BA1 2AN. Tel: 01225 334185 (Counselling Service: 01225 422156), fax: 01225 465774, [email protected]

wednesday

12.00-4.00 Open drop in12.00-1.00 Criminal Justice support group12.00-2.00 Gardening Group1.00-2.30 Emotional health and wellbeing3.00-4.30 Lifestyle Workshop5.00-6.00 Welcome group5.30-6.30 Substitute prescribing group

thursday

10.00-4.00 Open drop in11.00-12.30 Alcohol education and change

programme (4 weekly cycle)1.00-2.30 Moving towards abstinence6.00-7.00 Family group6.00-7.00 relapse Prevention (abstinence support group)

Friday

10.00-4.00 Open drop in12.00-1.00 Off the wall magazine group1.00-2.30 Abstinence group.

saturday

10.00-2.00 Gardening group

Monday

10.00-4.00 Open drop10.30-12.00 Mindfulness group12.00-1.00 Welcome group1.00-2.30 Abstinence group2.00-4.20 Education training and

employment drop in4.00-5.00 Mens group5.30-7.00 Monday clubs (on rotation) Book club, film club, electronic

games group, games group.6.45-8.15 Football at Percy Boys

Community centre

tuesday

10.00-1.00 Women’s only drop in10.30 -12.00 Women’s group1.00-2.30 Moving towards control group1.00-4.30 Open drop in

(harm reduction workshops)3.00 - 4.00 Alcohol education and change group (3rd Tues of each month)3.30-4.30 Battle Against Tranquilisers group (Information takeaway Monmouth St)5.30-6.30 Stimulant group


For information on the Genesis Trust contact Carey or Denise on 01225 463549

Groups & Services

dhi Beehive drop in and internet café 10.00-4.00 pm Monday - Friday.

welcome Group An introduction to DHI services and support.

substitute Prescribing Group A support group for people on a substitute prescription, who have achieved abstinence from their problematic substance

emotional health & wellBeing Support group focusing on managing negative emotions (stress, anger, depression, shame, guilt).

Lifestyle workshops Series of single issue support groups focusing on recovery. Topics include: Becoming Assertive; Improving Self-Esteem; Better Relationships; Managing Stress and Anxiety.

Mindfulness group A meditation group to help with managing emotions and cravings.

Cannabis Group Open support group exploring options for change

stmulant Group Open support group for stimulant users.

Moving towards abstinence Structured 6 week course for clients who are working towards a drug free lifestyle. The groups aim to increase confidence, explore strategies to manage difficulties and to prevent lapses from becoming relapses.

Moving towards control Structured 6 week course for clients who are looking to better manage their drug use. It offers clients the opportunity to develop and manage their plans for change, overcoming obstacles and developing commitment.

alcohol education and Change Groups (4 session programme)1. Alcohol Education Group (1st Thursday & 3rd Tuesday of each month). A group offering information on alcohol, exploring the impact on health, social and personal functioning.2. Alcohol Self-Directed Change Group (2nd, 3rd and 4th Thursday of each month). 3 session structured group, to elicit motivation and discuss strategies for making changes in drinking. You can come to this group only after you have been to Alcohol Education Group.

relapse Prevention support Group Drop In support group for abstinent clients.

women’s Group & Men’s Group Gender based support groups for people wishing to discuss substance use and gender-related issues.

Battle against tranquillizers (Bat) A support group for people wishing to make changes to their use of tranquillizers.

Criminal Justice Group: A support group for clients in the criminal justice system.

Family Group A support group for family members affected by another’s substance use.

Monday Club A social activity group which meets weekly. This includes a film club, book club and games evenings.

education, training & employment drop-in Specific drop-in for clients in recovery moving towards a more meaningful lifestyle.

Activities

off the wall Service User led magazine group.

Gardening Group Award winning service user led allotment project


20Off The Wall No.18, July/August 2010

Tower road North Warmley

DHI South Gloucestershire South Gloucestershire Drug & Alcohol Service, 130 Tower Road North, Warmley BS30 8xN. Freephone: 0800 0733011, Information & Brokerage: 0800 1955784, tel: 01454 868750, fax: 01454 868755, [email protected]

Monday

9.30am-1.00pm Art Course1.00-2.30pm Open Group6.30-7.30pm Peer Support Group

tuesday

10.00am-12pm Housing Clinic11.15am-12.30pm Music for Fun1.00-3.00pm Alcohol Course2.00-4.00pm Bike Maintenence6.00-7.30pm relapse Prevention

wednesday

11.30-12.30pm Acupuncture1.00-2.30pm Into Action GroupEach week either at 10.00am or 3.00pm there will be an activity

thursday

10.00am-12.00pm BAT Drop in11.30am-1.30pm ACE Group12.00-2.00pm Craft Workshop2.00-4.00pm Maximus (every 2 weeks)7.00-9.00pm Family Group

Friday

10.00-11.30am Treatment Induction Course11.30am-12.30pm Acupuncture1.00-2.00pm Meditation2.00pm Healthy Lunch Club2.30-4.00pm Stimulant Group

What’s on at DHIsouth Glos. services

The Bungalow Yate

Yate Treatment Centre The Bungalow, 24a North Road, Yate BS37 7PA. Tel: 01454 273643, [email protected]

Monday

12.00-1.00pm Meditation10.00am-12.00pm Acupuncture1.00-5.00pm ThroughCare Drop-inOpen until 5pm

tuesday

11.30am-12.30pm Acupuncture1.00-2.00pm Open Group2.00-4.00pm ACE Group7.00-9.00pm Family Group

wednesday

11.00am-1.00pm Grandparents Group1.00-2.30pm stimulant3.00-4.30pm Treatment Induction Course11.30am-12.30pm Acupuncture6.00-7.00pm BAT drop in

thursday

1.30-2.30pm Healthy Lunch Club 3.00-4.30pm Into Action Group5.00-6.00pm Acupuncture6.00-7.15pm relapse Prevention Group7.00-8.00pm Peer support group

Friday

10.00am-12.00pm Housing Clinic11.00am-12.30pm Alcohol CourseClosed from 1.00pm


The Old School House Swindon

DHI Swindon The Old School House, Maxwell St, Swindon SN1 5DR. Freephone: 0800 9704830, tel: 01793 617177, fax: 01793 486591, [email protected]

Monday

10.00am-2.00pm 1:1 Session11.00-2.00pm Triage11.30am Stimulant Group1.00pm Acupuncture

tuesday

10.00-2.00pm 1:1 Session11.00-2.00pm Drop-in11.00-2.00pm Triage11.30-1.00pm Thought Into Action 1.00pm Acupuncture

wednesday

10.00-2.00pm 1:1 Session11.00-2.00pm Drop-in11.00-2.00pm Triage11.30-1.00pm relapse Prevention12.30pm Progress to work1.00pm Acupuncture

thursday

10.00-2.00pm 1:1 Session (women only)11.00-2.00pm Drop-in (women only)11.00-2.00pm Triage (women only)

Friday

10.00-2.00pm 1:1 Session11.00-2.00pm Drop-in11.00-2.00pm Triage

What’s on at DHIswindon services

The Boxing Gym

There is access to the boxing gym above the Old School House. Contact us for more information.

1:1 Sessions

Other appointments outside of these times are available to you at a place of your convenience.

Triage

An initial assessment can be completed over the phone Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5pm. Call us on 0800 970 4830. This number is free from call boxes and landlines.

dear otw I’m an ex-service user of DHI and I’ve been trying to get some part-time labouring or odd jobs as I don’t think I’m quite ready for full time work. I don’t know any builders or companies that might employ me but I’m a hard worker and I’m no stranger to hard graft.

Does anyone know the firsts steps I should take to get my first step back on the working ladder? I’ve heard of ex-service users getting knock backs because of their past and I’d really like to get started ‘no questions asked’. Any contacts much appreciated. Hugh Jarse

dear otw I have an addictive personality, but I’ve managed to reduce my drink and drug use over the last 18 months so it doesn’t have a negative effect on my life. I have got some part time work and I enjoy meeting people in the shop I’m working in.

But I feel like my current situation is only temporary and that it’s only a matter of time before I have a blow out and ruin all the good work I’ve done recently. I’ve sorted myself on my own (with a bit of help from my family) and I know I would only be letting myself down. But I do have free time and I do entertain the idea of a big night out.

I’m sending this email to see if Off The Wall readers have any advice for distractions that can get me to focus my energies on something that won’t take me back to my dark past.Phillipa Space

dear otw I’ve been doing Ketamine for the past six months – usually at a club but sometimes my friends and me at one of theirs house. A few of my friends have suffered some bad side effects, and I’ve heard some bad stories about K, but I don’t have a computer and don’t know where to find some facts. I’ve not had any bad experiences but I would like to know what bad things might happen if I carry on – where can I easily get some information in the Swindon area?Anonymous


Got a problem?Get in touch! Off The Wall Magazine 15/16 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DE T 01225 329411 E [email protected].

OTW rEGULAr

Letters pageTime to get it off your chest?

Each issue we will be printing readers problems and letters, and rather than giving our response we want our readers to offer their advice. So if you can help this issue’s readers, please write in...

And don’t forget, there’s a crisp tenner for the best response each issue.

useful numbersCheck out www.dhi-online.org.uk for more useful information

National contactsAlcohol concern 0207 9287377Alliance, the (methadone) 02083 744395Cannabis Hemp Information Club 0145 8835769Cocaine www.cocaine.orgDate rape Drugs www.roofile.comDrugscope www.drugscope.org.ukDrug Education Training 0117 99415810Ecstasy.Org www.ecstasy.orgErowid www.erwid.orgGood Drugs Guide www.thegooddrugsguide.comGreen Party Drugs Group 0171 7370100Hemp UK 0186 5311151Hit www.Hit.org.ukHoward league For Penal reform 0171 2817722Justice For Woman 0181 3403699Lifeline www.lifeline.org.ukMainliners 0201 5825434Medical Marijuana Foundation 0157 9346592National Alcohol Helpline 0345 320202National Drugs Helpline 0800 776600National Sexual Health/HIV 0800 5671123Oxfordshire User Team 0800 0320829Project LSD 0171 2881500release www.release.org.uk/bust.htmlre-Solv www.re-solv.orgTraffasi 02085 339563Transform Box 59, 82 Colston Street, Bristol. BS1

Local contactsDHI Head Office and Bath Area Office15-16 Milsom StreetBath BA1 1DEtel 01225 329411fax 01225 334734email [email protected]

DHI Information Takeaway31 Monmouth StBath BA1 2ANtel: 01225 334185(Counselling Service: 01225 422156) fax: 01225 465774email: [email protected]

DHI South GloucestershireSouth Glos. Drug & Alcohol Service130 Tower Road NorthWarmley BS30 8XNFreephone: 0800 0733011Information & Brokerage: 0800 1955784tel 01454 868750fax 01454 868755email [email protected]

DHI SwindonThe Old School HouseMaxwell StSwindon SN1 5DRFreephone: 0800 9704830tel 01793 617177fax 01793 486591email [email protected]

DHI KingswoodOffice 10Kingswood FoundationBristol, BS15 8BD

Yate Treatment CentreThe Bungalow24a North RoadYateBS37 7PATel: 01454 273643Email: [email protected]

OTW rEGULAr

Letters pageTime to get it off your chest?

OTW.22

Documents

Transcript of OTW.22