The Scottish Government is announcing today increased investment in the Family Recovery Initiative Fund (FRIF), which offers grants to community-based groups and organisations supporting families affected by alcohol and drugs. This further investment of £70,000 will grow the Fund to £100,000 for 2023/24.
The Family Recovery Initiative Fund was initially launched in March 2018 as a small grants scheme supported by the Corra Foundation and Scottish Families, awarding over £100,000 in its first four years. It was relaunched as part of the National Drugs Mission in Autumn 2022, and now offers community-based groups and small organisations the opportunity to apply for up to £5,000.
The Fund aims to improve the wellbeing of people affected by someone else’s harmful substance use, supporting opportunities for them to connect with others with a similar experience through group activities, and access further support where needed.
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (Scottish Families) manages the Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. A panel of family members with personal experience of substance harm review applications and advise on grant decisions. Since the relaunch, a further £43,000 has been awarded across 11 different groups and organisations from the Highlands to the Borders. The grants are supporting new opportunities to improve and maintain families’ wellbeing, including through weekly peer support, arts and crafts, free therapies, and evidence-based support programmes.
In announcing the new funding, the Minister for Drugs Policy, Angela Constance, said:
“I am delighted to support the expansion of the Family Recovery Initiative Fund through an increase in Scottish Government funding to £100,000.
This additional £70,000 per year will encourage more support for families affected by the harms from drug and alcohol use, providing them with different opportunities to improve and maintain their own wellbeing in their local communities.”
In welcoming the increased investment, Scottish Families CEO, Justina Murray, said:
“Every day, community groups and organisations across Scotland are doing everything they can to support families harmed by alcohol and drug use. Sometimes they need just a little bit of extra help to run new activities, buy equipment, hire a meeting space, reach more families, or do some training together. It is very welcome to see this increased investment by the Scottish Government today in our Family Recovery Initiative Fund. We know that families can and do recover, and this funding will make a real difference in local communities.”
A partner organisation said:
“FRIF funding has been a lifeline for these groups. Many are bereaved, some are Kinship Carers, and all are struggling emotionally and financially. This funding allows the groups to look forward with plans, to participate in events that reduce their isolation and helps them connect and educate in their communities. It also offers them stability in their premises. Access to this fund was straightforward and not overcomplicated, which in turn gives the groups confidence in applying, so thank you!”
Case Study One
£5,000 was awarded by the Family Recovery Initiative Fund (FRIF) to an organisation which provides appropriate early intervention initiatives to young people, 16-25 years, in a community where drug use, parental substance use, drug harms and death related death are endemic. The change that they want to see happening in their community, as a direct result of their work, is for their young people to have an alternative pathway for their lives which are already negatively impacted by their own, their families and communities’ drug use. They want young people to feel supported to find their own recovery from the multiple disadvantages and the normalisation of drug use and associated harms they have been exposed to. A spokesperson for the organisation said:
“FRIF money has been invaluable to a grassroots organisation like ours which wouldn’t otherwise have funding for a project like this. The funding has meant that we are able to provide support to families in need and to help break the cycle of addiction and violence. Having a playgroup for young parents and carers impacted by alcohol and drugs in the heart of the community, in a safe space, provides a nurturing, hopeful space for families to connect with each other and their children.”
Case Study Two
£5,000 was awarded by the Family Recovery Initiative Fund (FRIF) to an organisation which had to find and rent new premises for their family support group meetings and activities, and who also wanted to run a special project in collaboration with an established project in England called ‘Stitch Away The Stigma’. A spokesperson for the organisation said:
“ReUnite is our Family and Friends in Recovery meeting which is also on every Saturday from 10am until midday. We understand that when someone you care about is using drugs or alcohol that it can have an impact on you emotionally, and also on other members of your family. Family support can create a loving, positive and balanced environment for their loved ones in recovery and by having a supportive network around you during this time also creates a loving, positive and balanced environment for you while in this journey together. Hand stitching/crafting can promote relaxation, calmness but it can also allow your voice to be heard when you may often feel forgotten. It can provide stress management and encourage a support network for loved ones to meet and have a shared experience: breaking down the barriers and the stigma attached.”