Statement on MEAM and Collective Voice

We are pleased to announce that Collective Voice has become an associate of Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM), the national coalition of Clinks, Homeless Link and Mind working to improve policy and services for people with multiple needs.

Following the closure of DrugScope, Collective Voice was formed last year by eight of the country’s largest voluntary sector drug and alcohol treatment and recovery service providers to ensure that the voice of the drug and alcohol sector and the individuals who use these services are represented.

Today’s announcement extends existing joint-working between MEAM and Collective Voice and establishes a route for Collective Voice to become a full member of the MEAM coalition over time.  From 1 April 2016, Paul Hayes (director of Collective Voice) will attend meetings of the MEAM Programme Board in a non-voting capacity and MEAM (over time and subject to funding) will begin to ‘embed’ staff resource in Collective Voice.

Baroness Tyler, chair of the MEAM coalition, said: “We are delighted to welcome Collective Voice as an associate of the MEAM coalition.  Substance misuse is a central issue for people with multiple needs and since the closure of DrugScope we have worked hard to keep these issues at the heart of our work.  Collective Voice will bring new expertise, insight and reach to the MEAM coalition as we continue to work together to create change in policy and practice for people with multiple needs.”

Karen Biggs, chair of Collective Voice, said: “We are very pleased to become an associate of the MEAM coalition.  The majority of individuals using substance misuse services have a wide range of other needs.  To support them we need to influence policy and services across different sectors and MEAM will provide excellent links across criminal justice, homelessness and mental health.”