A Chesterfield charity which has supported local people for almost three decades has expanded its offer.
Derbyshire Alcohol Advice Service (DAAS) has been a primary source of alcohol support in Derbyshire for almost 30 years. It began life as North Derbyshire Alcohol Advice Service, operating from a single room in Chesterfield with 3 part time counsellors. It is now a county wide organisation with 30 staff and volunteers providing alcohol, drug and gambling support as well as running projects for our military veteran community.
The organisation has developed so dramatically over the last few years that the name is no longer fully representative of the work that they do. Therefore, on 12th October 2023 they officially changed the name to Derbyshire Addictions Advice Service (DAAS).
Chair of Trustees John Ydlibi said: “When people hear our previous name, they assume alcohol support is all we offer, however, our scope is now so much more than that”.
DAAS, for the last 8 years been a key provider within Derbyshire Recovery Partnership, the commissioned drug and alcohol support service for adults in the county. This service provides support for anyone affected by their own or someone else’s drug and/or alcohol use.
The organisation has been proud of its role in helping people get the support they require when they are struggling with their drug and alcohol use, supporting people to achieve a healthier, happier, and more productive future.
More recently, DAAS has begun offering support for those affected by other people’s gambling behaviour. For every person whose gambling is a problem, there can be between 6 and 10 other people who are negatively affected… friends, children, family, colleagues.
GamCHAT will provide counselling and education to help friends and family to understand better what is happening, how they can best support the person experiencing problematic gambling and while protecting their own health and wellbeing.
To make people aware of the new name change and how the various projects offered by DAAS can support the residents of Derbyshire, the charity is holding several roadshow events across the County.
In North Derbyshire, these are in Shirebrook, Buxton and here in Chesterfield. These drop-in style events will provide the opportunity for employers, statutory and voluntary organisations, and members of the public to talk directly to staff involved and learn how we can support people struggling with drugs, alcohol or gambling as well as members of our veteran community.
John added: “We are proud to have our roots in Chesterfield and how our success here has allowed us to spread our services throughout Derbyshire.”
Roadshows
- 12th December Shirebrook – Adult Education Centre, NG20 8PE 1.30 – 3.00pm
- 14th December Buxton – Kents Bank Road, SK17 9HR 10.00 – 11.30am
To learn more, go to daas.uk.com/roadshows.
DAAS supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
