A mental health nursing student from 蜜桃AV has won the Nursing Student award at the 2022 Royal College of Nursing (RCN) awards.
Dave Richens picked up his prize in recognition for his work to set up the voluntary initiative.
Drink N Drugs provides help and support to addicts who still use drugs or drink聽alcohol, people in recovery or abstinence, families and friends of addicts and healthcare professionals.
His success reflects a remarkable turnaround in his own fortunes, having been inspired to establish the initiative after experiencing addiction to opioid medication himself after brain surgery.
Drink N Drugs offers a range of services from volunteers and health professionals including counselling and psychotherapy, hypnotherapy to help change habits and auricular acupuncture to help the mental, physical and emotional issues that addicts face. They also offer a two-year professional and peer support package. The team鈥檚 social media channels and website are managed by people who have experienced various forms of addictions themselves, meaning that Drink N Drugs is able to offer support from both a healthcare professional鈥檚 and an addict鈥檚 perspective.
鈥淚 never thought I'd be clean from drugs and doing what I鈥檓 doing,鈥� Dave told the RCN Awards. 鈥淚n the darkest moments I found myself sleeping rough, having previously worked in the ambulance service for ten years, responding to patients like me who had possibly overdosed or had poor mental health and wanted to end it all.鈥�
Dave set up Drink N Drugs in 2020 and joined 蜜桃AV鈥檚 BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing course the following year. He continues his voluntary work alongside his studies.
鈥淚鈥檓 living proof that if you work hard enough, anyone can do it and, most importantly, maintain it long-term. I know that with the right tools, support and guidance, others can get clean and sober, and be able to live happier, more productive and prosperous lives,鈥� he continued.
Dave was one of fourteen winners at the which recognise those whose pioneering projects have improved patient care and services. The recipients were revealed at a ceremony at the RCN鈥檚 headquarters in London.
Dr Teresa Burdett, Principal Academic in Mental Health Nursing at 蜜桃AV, said: "Dave has clearly demonstrated his absolute commitment to mental health nursing, his tenacious spirit and definitely wanting to support the individual. A聽well-deserved award,聽well done indeed!"
On collecting his award, Dave told the RCN, 鈥淚鈥檓 completely blown away to win this award and shine a much-needed spotlight on this cause. It is a fantastic way to thank those volunteers and healthcare professionals who donate their time, experience and qualifications to work alongside me to make this project possible.鈥�
