About me
My name is Tigerlily Hamilton-Davies, and I am an undergraduate studying Criminology at Durham University. As part of my studies, I have been given the opportunity to complete a student Community Placement with Barnsley Recovery Steps, a sector of Waythrough, an organisation dedicated to helping individuals struggling with alcohol and substance use. I joined this placement because I am passionate about public health and want to gain first-hand experience tackling addiction-related challenges.
My community placement
During my time at Barnsley Recovery Steps, I have become part of their marketing team, working to raise awareness and provide support through online outreach. I am also contributing to their six-week ketamine awareness campaign—a project that has already received a BAFTA nomination. This campaign aims to educate young people about the risks associated with ketamine use and to provide support to those who may be struggling. One of the campaign’s key elements is an animation titled It’s OK to Ask to Ask For Help, which shares the story of a young person recovering from ketamine use. Through social media outreach and community engagement, the campaign is working to break down stigma and encourage open conversations about ketamine use through videos, animations and other educational materials, inspiring people to reach out to us or other trusted individuals.
Barnsley Recovery Steps has partnered with local creatives and people with lived experience in order to raise awareness of ketamine’s risks. By sharing real-life experiences such as Jack’s, whose story has helped shape the campaign, aims to reduce stigma and ensure those affected feel safe and understood. Through these real-life case studies, they highlight the significant mental and physical health impacts of regular ketamine use, promoting people seeking help without fear.
The rising concern around Ketamine use
Ketamine use has been on the rise in the UK, particularly among young adults. Recent statistics show that 3.2% of people aged 16-24 reported using ketamine in the past year—four times the national average. In Durham, the increase in ketamine use has become so concerning that local authorities have launched an expert review to assess its dangers. Nationally, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16-59 reported using the drug in the last year, marking a record high.
While researching for this campaign, I had the opportunity to speak with a Durham University student, Alice, who is in recovery from ketamine addiction. She shared how easy it is to underestimate the risks, especially within the young student nightlife, and how quickly casual use can spiral into addiction before you even realize it. Alice spoke about how difficult and embarrassing she thought it would be having to admit to a drug addiction at such a young age, worrying what her friends would think and how it may change people’s perception. However, Alice emphasised how valuable the support she received has been in helping her recover and regain a sense of normality within her life. She shared that those guiding her through her recovery journey reassured her that there was nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Hearing her experience reinforced how important this campaign is in raising awareness and providing the right support.
The ketamine campaign includes materials like handbooks, leaflets and posters for both users and professionals to guide and educate. Additionally, the Barnsley Urology Department has established a ketamine clinic to actively provide local healthcare while Barnsley Recovery Steps has developed a bran-new treatment pathway all in aid of the ketamine campaign.
Why this matters to me
Working with Barnsley Recovery Steps on this campaign has been an eye-opening experience. I have seen how addiction doesn’t discriminate and how vital it is to provide non-judgmental support to those in need. This placement has given me a real-world understanding of the challenges faced by both individuals struggling with alcohol and substance use and the organisations that work to help them.
As the campaign continues, I look forward to contributing further and learning as much as I can. I hope that through this project, we can reach more people, challenge misconceptions about ketamine, inform the public, and encourage those who need help to seek it without fear of judgment.
About Barnsley Recovery Steps
Barnsley Recovery Steps provides free, confidential and non-judgemental support for individuals looking to change their relationship with alcohol and other substances. They offer a range of recovery services tailored to individual needs. To learn more about the campaign or the organisation, visit barnsleyrecoverysteps.org.uk.
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