Health and wellbeing
A decade of support from Walsall’s alcohol and drug treatment service
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Walsall’s alcohol and drug treatment service is celebrating a decade of delivering vital support to residents, having helped people through more than 9,000 episodes of treatment.
The Beacon, delivered by Change Grow Live and commissioned by Walsall Council’s Public Health team, marked its tenth anniversary with an open day event at The Quarter in Walsall town centre.
Service users, professionals and members of the public were invited to find out more about the wide range of support available, including help with alcohol and drug use, employment, mutual aid groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, Families Anonymous and SMART Recovery), support for families and young people, needle exchange, testing and vaccinations.
Over the past ten years, the service has seen steady growth, with the number of people getting help increasing by 11% in the last year alone. In addition, there has been an increase in the number of people with disabilities and those in regular employment seeking help from The Beacon.
In 2024/25, the Council worked in partnership with The Beacon on a campaign to raise awareness of the potential harms of alcohol and drugs, share lived experiences and encourage residents to come forward for support. Earlier this autumn, a half day event with professionals on preventing drug-related deaths in Walsall took place to explore a whole-system approach to tackling the issue head on and building a safer Walsall.
“ The Beacon has been a lifeline for thousands of residents over the past decade. Its work is not only about treatment but it’s about hope, recovery and rebuilding lives. We’re proud to support a service that continues to evolve and respond to the needs of the community. “
“ We’re incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made over the last ten years. Every person who walks through our doors is met with compassion and support. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our team and volunteers and the strength of those we support. “
The Beacon offers free and confidential support for anyone in Walsall experiencing alcohol or drug use. Residents can refer themselves or professionals can refer clients to the service online via the Change Grow Live website. For more information, please contact thebeacon.walsall@cgl.org.uk or call 01922 669840.
