What is OACAS and what do we do?
Orkney Alcohol Counselling and Advisory Service (OACAS) is a
charitable company limited
by guarantee, and has been operating since 1975, as part of
the network of local alcohol agencies in Scotland affiliated to
Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) with its headquarters in Glasgow.
Based in
Kirkwall OACAS provides a service for all of the Orkney Islands. Our
main activity is providing a one-to-one counselling service, though
we also provide an information and educational resource. Initially
the Service was aimed at those who wish to address and overcome
their own or another's problems, connected with inappropriate
consumption of alcohol and/or the misuse of drugs. Since then the
Service
has expanded and increased the its capabilities to include other
‘Life Issues’,
such as:
Stress
Anger
Relationships
(Families/Partners/Friends)
Gambling
Low Self Esteem
Self-Harm
Coping Strategies
Whilst some of our
clients are referred to us by GPs and Social
Work Departments, the majority are
self-referred.
Counselling is
carried out by qualified voluntary Counsellors, trained to national
standards set by AFS. Practice Supervisors monitor the work of the
Counsellors. Day to day administration is carried out by paid staff.
Funding & Support
We would like
to thank Orkney Islands Council and NHS Orkney, for their continuing
contributions to our core funding. We would also like to acknowledge
the financial support given by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for
Scotland, Comic Relief, Awards for All, Orkney Youth Crime Review
Group, and the Scottish Executive, for project work. Many thanks
also to private individuals and charitable bodies for their
donations.
Donate
As a charity, we rely a great
deal on the generosity of our statutory funders, charitable trusts
and the general public.
There are many reasons why
people choose to
support us and there are many ways that you can. For further
information on how to donate OACAS have a look on this
page.
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