<![CDATA[The Project 6 Podcast]]>bf0e08dd-a177-5f98-9587-a3e629570661Sat, 02 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000Captivate.fmProject 6https://artwork.captivate.fm/198dd266-9aad-4ff5-a6a8-7865b84b43c9/A9XBgzSBJF0RxkNJ3yCadGUX.pngThe Project 6 PodcastProject 6Project 6The Project 6 Podcast is all about exploring ways we can create more choice and opportunity for people who want to access support for alcohol and other drug use. How can services work in partnership better? What role should lived experience play in shaping support? How can we change public perceptions of substance use and how can we challenge the stigma so often behind the barriers people face? We, Project 6 are a drug and alcohol charity working in Yorkshire. Our work means we have some fascinating discussions with amazing people working to improve our sector, from researchers to other inspirational organisations and the people who use our services. We wanted to capture some of these conversations and ask what better might look like. To get in touch, emial digital.team@project6.org.uk https://project6.captivate.fmtrueepisodicnopodcastEmma Crawshaw - Crew 2000Emma Crawshaw - Crew 2000Emma Crawshaw, CEO of Crew 2000 talks about the work they're doing to have honest and open conversations with people about their drug use.

Despite the majority of coverage of substances in the media and TV focusing on one extreme, the majority of people who use drugs will do so in recreational settings, and for most their use of drugs will never develop into more problematic behaviors. So what needs to change?

]]>Emma Crawshaw, CEO of Crew 2000 talks about the work they're doing to have honest and open conversations with people about their drug use.

Despite the majority of coverage of substances in the media and TV focusing on one extreme, the majority of people who use drugs will do so in recreational settings, and for most their use of drugs will never develop into more problematic behaviors. So what needs to change?

]]>1ea3b735-816f-4374-9dd8-de16e9b033e1Wed, 05 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +010010:47truefull27272Project 6Danny Ahmed - Diamorphine in MiddlesbroughDanny Ahmed - Diamorphine in MiddlesbroughDanny Ahmed shares about a pioneering project, that between 2019 and 2022 worked with people using opiates to provide them with medical-grade heroin in Middlesbrough. This intervention, which allows people access to an uncontaminated and reliable supply of substances is often discussed as the biggest change we could take to reduce the harms experienced by people who use drugs. Danny talks about the origins of the programme, the impact it had and his reflections on the work that took place.

Danny Ahemd is a Clinical Partner with Foundations and a Clinical Director at Cranstoun

]]>Danny Ahmed shares about a pioneering project, that between 2019 and 2022 worked with people using opiates to provide them with medical-grade heroin in Middlesbrough. This intervention, which allows people access to an uncontaminated and reliable supply of substances is often discussed as the biggest change we could take to reduce the harms experienced by people who use drugs. Danny talks about the origins of the programme, the impact it had and his reflections on the work that took place.

Danny Ahemd is a Clinical Partner with Foundations and a Clinical Director at Cranstoun

]]>0dedee10-99dd-4168-8e33-f2408a577818Wed, 29 May 2024 09:00:00 +010011:06truefull26262Project 6Jenny Scott - They had the knowledgeJenny Scott - They had the knowledgeJenny Scott is a researcher and pharmacist prescriber who has been working recently on a project codesigning solutions to improve the numbers of people carrying naloxone (a drug that reverses opioid overdose) in rural Somerset. She shares about the process of working alongside people with living experience to create solutions, as well as some of the barriers the project experienced when it came up against the stigma that still exists in society.

]]>Jenny Scott is a researcher and pharmacist prescriber who has been working recently on a project codesigning solutions to improve the numbers of people carrying naloxone (a drug that reverses opioid overdose) in rural Somerset. She shares about the process of working alongside people with living experience to create solutions, as well as some of the barriers the project experienced when it came up against the stigma that still exists in society.

]]>4cf7a766-7b4a-49dc-ae29-dd75b3885959Wed, 22 May 2024 09:00:00 +010010:46truefull25252Project 6George Charlton - We Are LUVGeorge Charlton - We Are LUVThis time George Charlton joins us on our journey exploring what we mean by harm reduction when it comes to alcohol and other drugs.

George is an activist, trainer, campigner and worked with people who use drugs for over 20 years. In this episode he shares about We are LUV, a project creating peer-led groups to lead on research and design of local and national services. He describes why he feels it's important we get back to a place where the people we ask first about what support should look like, is the people who use it.

]]>This time George Charlton joins us on our journey exploring what we mean by harm reduction when it comes to alcohol and other drugs.

George is an activist, trainer, campigner and worked with people who use drugs for over 20 years. In this episode he shares about We are LUV, a project creating peer-led groups to lead on research and design of local and national services. He describes why he feels it's important we get back to a place where the people we ask first about what support should look like, is the people who use it.

]]>d3839348-c3ae-4481-9af5-f53bad2db60aWed, 15 May 2024 09:00:00 +010010:57truefull24242Project 6Deb Hussey- Lived and Living ExperienceDeb Hussey- Lived and Living ExperienceDeb Hussey has worked in harm reduction services for over 10 years. She speaks about the changes to drug policy and commissioning that meant harm reduction as an ethos was lost from our treatment services. She explores why it's important to distinguish between 'lived' and 'living' experiences when it comes to co-designing support.

]]>Deb Hussey has worked in harm reduction services for over 10 years. She speaks about the changes to drug policy and commissioning that meant harm reduction as an ethos was lost from our treatment services. She explores why it's important to distinguish between 'lived' and 'living' experiences when it comes to co-designing support.

]]>abdb01d7-5718-4550-bbba-a250b728747eWed, 08 May 2024 09:00:00 +010010:51truefull23232Project 6Jan Mayor - That's not fairJan Mayor - That's not fairJan Mayor came to harm reduction from her experiences of campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights and seeing the dehumanizing treatment of gay men with HIV and people who inject drugs. Now working as Innovation and Practice lead for Turning Point Scotland, she develops ideas and approaches that promote the rights of people who use drugs through projects that ensure they have access to the level of support and healthcare everyone in our society should expect.

]]>Jan Mayor came to harm reduction from her experiences of campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights and seeing the dehumanizing treatment of gay men with HIV and people who inject drugs. Now working as Innovation and Practice lead for Turning Point Scotland, she develops ideas and approaches that promote the rights of people who use drugs through projects that ensure they have access to the level of support and healthcare everyone in our society should expect.

]]>437933ab-1b49-4708-8dfe-8ac29eb99294Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +010011:01truefull21212Project 6Trailer for Series 2Trailer for Series 2We're back for series 2! This time we're speaking to people working across the alcohol and other drugs sector about all things harm reduction. We'll be hearing about innovative approaches to reducing the physical and social harm associated with drug use and finding out the ideas that underpin it.

If you believe in choice, opportunity, and respect for people people using alcohol and other drugs, this podcast is for you.

]]>We're back for series 2! This time we're speaking to people working across the alcohol and other drugs sector about all things harm reduction. We'll be hearing about innovative approaches to reducing the physical and social harm associated with drug use and finding out the ideas that underpin it.

If you believe in choice, opportunity, and respect for people people using alcohol and other drugs, this podcast is for you.

]]>a5ac9c98-8229-48ee-b8db-8b38c307ddb1Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +010002:36truetrailer222Project 6Ideas Conference: Achieving a balanced sector ecosystemIdeas Conference: Achieving a balanced sector ecosystemFor the final episode of the series, we take one last trip to the Ideas Conference 2023. Listen to an abridged version of the second panel discussion on the day, “Achieving a balanced sector ecosystem".

The new drug strategy asks us to collaborate and work in partnership as a priority. So we will hear from an area that has done just that and has built its own ecosystem. The panel discuss the benefits and challenges of working in a collaborative partnership between large national providers and smaller grassroots ones, and how innovative commissioning can create the environment to create positive change.

On the panel:

Dr Arun Dhandayudham, Medical Director at Via

Emily Todd, Regional Director at Humankind

Michelle Foster, CEO and Co-founder of the Basement Recovery Project

Niamh Cullan, Public Health Partnerships Manager Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Facilitated by:

April Wareham - Director at Working With Everyone 

]]>For the final episode of the series, we take one last trip to the Ideas Conference 2023. Listen to an abridged version of the second panel discussion on the day, “Achieving a balanced sector ecosystem".

The new drug strategy asks us to collaborate and work in partnership as a priority. So we will hear from an area that has done just that and has built its own ecosystem. The panel discuss the benefits and challenges of working in a collaborative partnership between large national providers and smaller grassroots ones, and how innovative commissioning can create the environment to create positive change.

On the panel:

Dr Arun Dhandayudham, Medical Director at Via

Emily Todd, Regional Director at Humankind

Michelle Foster, CEO and Co-founder of the Basement Recovery Project

Niamh Cullan, Public Health Partnerships Manager Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Facilitated by:

April Wareham - Director at Working With Everyone 

]]>cf46bd71-cee5-41e3-9072-98878df40707Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +010016:30truefull1131131Project 6Ideas Conference: Harm Reduction, Recovery and Human RightsIdeas Conference: Harm Reduction, Recovery and Human RightsListen to an abridged version of a panel discussion that took place at this the Project 6 Ideas Conference 2023, “Harm Reduction, Recovery and Human Rights”.

With 10 years of disinvestment and budgets slashed, the panel made up of harm reductionists, treatment providers and recovery advocates consider how we overcome that polarity between the two approaches, to create solidarity in adopting a human rights-led approach to alcohol and other drug treatment.  

On the panel:

Vicki Beere - Chief Exec of Project 6,

Dr David Patton - Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Derby

Sohan Sohota - Co-Founder and Managing Director of BAC-IN

Peter Krykant - Harm Reduction activist and Events, Fundraising & Campaigns Lead at Cranstoun 

Facilitated by:

April Wareham - Director ar Working With Everyone 

]]>Listen to an abridged version of a panel discussion that took place at this the Project 6 Ideas Conference 2023, “Harm Reduction, Recovery and Human Rights”.

With 10 years of disinvestment and budgets slashed, the panel made up of harm reductionists, treatment providers and recovery advocates consider how we overcome that polarity between the two approaches, to create solidarity in adopting a human rights-led approach to alcohol and other drug treatment.  

On the panel:

Vicki Beere - Chief Exec of Project 6,

Dr David Patton - Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Derby

Sohan Sohota - Co-Founder and Managing Director of BAC-IN

Peter Krykant - Harm Reduction activist and Events, Fundraising & Campaigns Lead at Cranstoun 

Facilitated by:

April Wareham - Director ar Working With Everyone 

]]>41f2e7cd-b69a-4b1c-91b7-0d7f51263dbdWed, 05 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +010015:29truefull1121121Project 6Sounds of the Ideas ConferenceSounds of the Ideas ConferenceThe first part of 3 episodes recorded at the Project 6 Ideas Conference 2023.

This episode, listen to a snapshot of the day including conversations, views and ideas shared across the conference.

]]>The first part of 3 episodes recorded at the Project 6 Ideas Conference 2023.

This episode, listen to a snapshot of the day including conversations, views and ideas shared across the conference.

]]>434809b2-3c20-4d27-a720-3f90dbf5143bTue, 27 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +010017:02truefull1111111Project 6I feel like those are the activities that do it rightI feel like those are the activities that do it rightPhoenix Futures Director of Marketing and Innovation, Jim Armstrong shares some of the barriers he feels the alcohol and other drug sector faces to make real and effective change to the stigma people experience.

We discuss the Anti-Stigma Network, a new project aiming to improve understanding of the stigma and discrimination by bringing together campaigns by bringing individual people, families, communities, educational institutions, charities, businesses and policymakers together to share, learn and create.    

Links from this episode:

The Anti-Stigma Network - www.antistigmanetwork.org.uk

]]>Phoenix Futures Director of Marketing and Innovation, Jim Armstrong shares some of the barriers he feels the alcohol and other drug sector faces to make real and effective change to the stigma people experience.

We discuss the Anti-Stigma Network, a new project aiming to improve understanding of the stigma and discrimination by bringing together campaigns by bringing individual people, families, communities, educational institutions, charities, businesses and policymakers together to share, learn and create.    

Links from this episode:

The Anti-Stigma Network - www.antistigmanetwork.org.uk

]]>7d0de019-22a5-4a86-91a5-38b39094b1acTue, 13 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +010016:17truefull1101101Project 6People want to use that as motivation to get them to that stagePeople want to use that as motivation to get them to that stageTo mark volunteers week, we speak to Raquel Anne about her journey from accessing support at Project 6 to taking the next step into volunteering.

We discuss the impact volunteering can have in helping shape someone’s journey, be that recovery from alcohol or other drugs or as part of other significant life changes.

]]>To mark volunteers week, we speak to Raquel Anne about her journey from accessing support at Project 6 to taking the next step into volunteering.

We discuss the impact volunteering can have in helping shape someone’s journey, be that recovery from alcohol or other drugs or as part of other significant life changes.

]]>a644fca7-bbaf-4ece-94b4-59235ff1891dTue, 06 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +010015:12truefull19191Project 6We are the leaders, we are the knowledge leadersWe are the leaders, we are the knowledge leadersDr David Patton shares about his recent paper to the UN’s Commission on Narcotics Drugs about tackling stigma in treatment and recovery. From changing the way we encourage people to talk about their experiences of addiction to how people in recovery should be seen as the experts in change.

Dr David Patton’s research centres on the lived experience of people recovering from addiction and rehabilitating from offending histories. It uses the often marginalised voices of these individuals to co-produce utopian visions of how the criminal justice system and society can be radically transformed to promote human flourishing.

]]>Dr David Patton shares about his recent paper to the UN’s Commission on Narcotics Drugs about tackling stigma in treatment and recovery. From changing the way we encourage people to talk about their experiences of addiction to how people in recovery should be seen as the experts in change.

Dr David Patton’s research centres on the lived experience of people recovering from addiction and rehabilitating from offending histories. It uses the often marginalised voices of these individuals to co-produce utopian visions of how the criminal justice system and society can be radically transformed to promote human flourishing.

]]>c5c92755-c1d8-44a2-8228-e1bfa00234b7Tue, 30 May 2023 09:00:00 +010016:47truefull18181Project 6Why is it important to share those stories?Why is it important to share those stories?The Recovery Street Film has been showcasing short films about addiction and recovery and promoting stories of lived-experience for over 10 years. Lucie Mauger of Phoenix Futures shares about her work tackling stigma and the difference the film festival is making in challenging perceptions of substance use and people who have been affected.

Links from this episode:

The Recovery Street Film Festival – www.rsff.co.uk

]]>The Recovery Street Film has been showcasing short films about addiction and recovery and promoting stories of lived-experience for over 10 years. Lucie Mauger of Phoenix Futures shares about her work tackling stigma and the difference the film festival is making in challenging perceptions of substance use and people who have been affected.

Links from this episode:

The Recovery Street Film Festival – www.rsff.co.uk

]]>662d5c48-5b50-4b77-836f-aae765e93e40Tue, 23 May 2023 09:00:00 +010016:46truefull17171Project 6What value did it bring to have those voices of lived experience in from the start?What value did it bring to have those voices of lived experience in from the start?Dr David Patton discusses his latest research project, Pathways to Recovery. This brought together participants from recovery organisations to train people with lived experience of alcohol and other drug use to become researchers on their own experiences of recovery.

Links from this episode:

Pathways to Recovery - www.pathwaystorecovery.co.uk

Dr David Patton’s research centres on the lived experience of people recovering from addiction and rehabilitating from offending histories. It uses the often marginalised voices of these individuals to co-produce utopian visions of how the criminal justice system and society can be radically transformed to promote human flourishing.

]]>Dr David Patton discusses his latest research project, Pathways to Recovery. This brought together participants from recovery organisations to train people with lived experience of alcohol and other drug use to become researchers on their own experiences of recovery.

Links from this episode:

Pathways to Recovery - www.pathwaystorecovery.co.uk

Dr David Patton’s research centres on the lived experience of people recovering from addiction and rehabilitating from offending histories. It uses the often marginalised voices of these individuals to co-produce utopian visions of how the criminal justice system and society can be radically transformed to promote human flourishing.

]]>0d3ef498-e532-4641-8e45-3d472b451e8cTue, 16 May 2023 09:00:00 +010015:29truefull16161Project 6What does better look like?What does better look like?This time, Project 6 Senior Trainer Simon speak to Michael Corbishley about his work on Changing Futures in Sheffield. Changing Futures is a three-year programme working in cities across England to improve services and support for people experiencing multiple disadvantage. They discuss what better could look like for support services in the South Yorkshire.

Links from this episode:

Changing Futures Sheffield Website - https://changingfuturessheffield.info/

]]>This time, Project 6 Senior Trainer Simon speak to Michael Corbishley about his work on Changing Futures in Sheffield. Changing Futures is a three-year programme working in cities across England to improve services and support for people experiencing multiple disadvantage. They discuss what better could look like for support services in the South Yorkshire.

Links from this episode:

Changing Futures Sheffield Website - https://changingfuturessheffield.info/

]]>ca2066ec-bea0-4fef-9236-4dc7da614514Tue, 09 May 2023 09:00:00 +010015:48truefull15151Project 6What can 14 days of sleeping rough teach us about stigma?What can 14 days of sleeping rough teach us about stigma?In this bonus episode, Tim Renshaw tells Project 6 Senior Trainer, Simon about his experiences and what he learned completing a 14-night sleepout in Sheffield. Their conversation explores how quickly being homeless can change someone's sense of belonging in society and their perception of themself.

Make sure you check out Tim's blog written during his sleepout - https://www.archerproject.org.uk/news/tim-s-14-day-sleepout-slog

]]>In this bonus episode, Tim Renshaw tells Project 6 Senior Trainer, Simon about his experiences and what he learned completing a 14-night sleepout in Sheffield. Their conversation explores how quickly being homeless can change someone's sense of belonging in society and their perception of themself.

Make sure you check out Tim's blog written during his sleepout - https://www.archerproject.org.uk/news/tim-s-14-day-sleepout-slog

]]>62bddf26-f733-45b3-9cf6-762eeb8a2bf7Tue, 02 May 2023 09:00:00 +010012:28truebonus14141Project 6If the choice was to live on the street, what was the alternative?If the choice was to live on the street, what was the alternative?In this episode Project 6 Senior Tranier, Simon Francis speaks to Tim Renshaw about the notion of choice and if it's right to say people have the lives they do because of the choices they make.

Tim is the CEO of the Archer Project, a Sheffield-based charity working to support people experiencing homelessness in the city.

Links from the episode -

The Archer Project website - https://www.archerproject.org.uk/

Tim's Sleepout Blog - https://www.archerproject.org.uk/news/tim-s-14-day-sleepout-slog

]]>In this episode Project 6 Senior Tranier, Simon Francis speaks to Tim Renshaw about the notion of choice and if it's right to say people have the lives they do because of the choices they make.

Tim is the CEO of the Archer Project, a Sheffield-based charity working to support people experiencing homelessness in the city.

Links from the episode -

The Archer Project website - https://www.archerproject.org.uk/

Tim's Sleepout Blog - https://www.archerproject.org.uk/news/tim-s-14-day-sleepout-slog

]]>ad20369d-9ae7-4b69-93d6-1e2d29b36b36Tue, 02 May 2023 09:00:00 +010015:47truefull13131Project 6What impact is drug policy having on women? Part 2What impact is drug policy having on women? Part 2This is a follow on from episode 1, 'What impact is drug policy having on women?'.

Building on their conversation from the last episode, Project 6 CEO, Vicki Beere and Professor Julia Buxton discuss ideas for change and approaches to improve society's perception of people using drugs and understanding of the challenges people face.

Links from the episode -

The Washington Office on Latin America, Inside Out From Women’s Prisons: Resisting Punitive Drug Policies - https://www.wola.org/analysis/inside-out-from-womens-prisons-resisting-drug-policies/

The Impact of Global Drug Policy on Women: Shifting the Needle - https://g.co/kgs/esm2Sv

]]>This is a follow on from episode 1, 'What impact is drug policy having on women?'.

Building on their conversation from the last episode, Project 6 CEO, Vicki Beere and Professor Julia Buxton discuss ideas for change and approaches to improve society's perception of people using drugs and understanding of the challenges people face.

Links from the episode -

The Washington Office on Latin America, Inside Out From Women’s Prisons: Resisting Punitive Drug Policies - https://www.wola.org/analysis/inside-out-from-womens-prisons-resisting-drug-policies/

The Impact of Global Drug Policy on Women: Shifting the Needle - https://g.co/kgs/esm2Sv

]]>789abeff-6484-433f-a845-9e07a883c18aMon, 24 Apr 2023 10:00:00 +010015:56truefull12121Project 6What impact is drug policy having on women? Part 1What impact is drug policy having on women? Part 1Vicki Beere speaks to Professor Julia Buxton about her research

into international and UK drug policy and specific barriers to accessing

services experienced by women using substances.

Julia is British Academy Global Professor, who is currently conducting

research on the changing patterns of drug supply, and the impact of

decriminalisation and legalisation initiatives on the quality of drug policy

making, stakeholder inclusion and reduction of drug-related harms. Her research

focuses on illicit drug markets and the impact of counter-narcotics policies on

development, gender equality and security.

Links from the episode -

The Impact of Global Drug Policy on Women: Shifting the Needle - https://g.co/kgs/esm2Sv

]]>Vicki Beere speaks to Professor Julia Buxton about her research

into international and UK drug policy and specific barriers to accessing

services experienced by women using substances.

Julia is British Academy Global Professor, who is currently conducting

research on the changing patterns of drug supply, and the impact of

decriminalisation and legalisation initiatives on the quality of drug policy

making, stakeholder inclusion and reduction of drug-related harms. Her research

focuses on illicit drug markets and the impact of counter-narcotics policies on

development, gender equality and security.

Links from the episode -

The Impact of Global Drug Policy on Women: Shifting the Needle - https://g.co/kgs/esm2Sv

]]>b24180d8-3143-4703-a743-92f692f804a9Mon, 24 Apr 2023 10:00:00 +010016:14truefull11111Project 6