Northeast Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force is a government appointed body with responsibility for implementing Ireland’s national drug strategy and related policies in counties Cavan, Louth, Meath & Monaghan; with membership drawn from a range of local public sector and community service providers and other key stakeholders. The role within the SUMIT will be to undertake the following:

Recruitment and provision of management support to the local project team. Provide leadership and coordination of the SUMIT project in the northeast local demonstrator area. With knowledge of local concerns and commitment to the northeast region will play a critical role in promoting and facilitating networks and partnerships with local communities implementing the project on the ground. Engaging with local agencies involved in supporting people with complex challenges relating to substance use and identifying the most appropriate digital solutions to respond to the health needs of this vulnerable cohort of people. Input into the SUMIT Steering Group and play a key role in sharing learning in the Communities of Practice.

Start360 has been the leading provider of support services in Northern Ireland for over 30 years. Our mission statement is that ‘Change Starts Here’ and our vision is ‘Every Person Stronger’. We currently employ 82 people, delivering 27 services. Start360 has extensive experience in supporting people with offending behaviours and individuals who have had contact with the criminal justice system. As an Associate Partner, START 360 will provide local coordination, particularly for the prison demonstrator and share learning through the Communities of Practice. We will advocate for the SUMIT project at a cross-border level within prison services. With knowledge of local concerns and commitment to people transitioning from prisons START 360 will play a critical role in promoting and facilitating networks and partnerships with local communities implementing the project on the ground.

NHS Fife are interested in developing digital approaches which support easier access to treatment, building on work we have already done in this area (e.g developing use of video consulting). Fife are providing programme management for the four nation, >£5M Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) funded by Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office and UK Government Office for Life Science Addiction Mission addressing overdose detection, response and intervention. Our role would be to operate as an advanced local demonstrator to assist the local demonstrator sites in Ireland and Northern Ireland to anticipate and overcome some of the practical implementation issues they will experience. As an advanced demonstrator site, Fife will play a critical role in promoting and facilitating networks and partnerships with local communities implementing the project on the ground to aid acceleration in IRE /NI demonstrator sites.

Developing Healthy Communities is a community[1]based organisation with over 30 years’ experience delivering a diverse range of programmes designed to improve mental, physical, and social wellbeing. We support communities, families and workplaces through training, healthcare programmes and facilitation of partnership working. In 2022/23, over 30,000 people benefitted from interventions supported by DHC. Our role within the SUMIT Project will be to undertake the following:

Direct QUB SUMIT dedicated staff for networking for recruitment and provision of management support to the local project team. With knowledge of local concerns and commitment to the northwest region will play a critical role in promoting and facilitating networks and partnerships with local communities implementing the project on the ground. Provide leadership and coordination of the SUMIT project in the Derry-Donegal deployment area, working alongside partners within the Alcohol Forum in Letterkenny. Engaging with local agencies involved in supporting people with complex challenges relating to substance use and identifying the most appropriate digital products to respond to the health needs of this vulnerable cohort of people. Play a key role in the Communities of Practice.

Alcohol Forum Ireland is an independent national charity that provides support, information and services to individuals, families and communities impacted by alcohol and other drug harm, while also working at the wider levels to change Ireland’s problematic relationship with alcohol. AFI’s approach is shaped by evidence and is informed by the expressed needs of the people and communities. AFI has been the lead organisation supporting the development and expansion of evidence -based community action on alcohol in Ireland since 2016. Our role within the SUMIT Project will be to undertake the following:

Direct QUB SUMIT dedicated staff for networking for recruitment and provision of management support to the local project team. With knowledge of local concerns and commitment to the northwest region will play a critical role in promoting and facilitating networks and partnerships with local communities implementing the project on the ground. Provide leadership and coordination of the SUMIT project in the Derry/Donegal deployment area, working alongside partners within the Developing Healthy Communities in Londonderry / Derry. Engaging with local agencies involved in supporting people with complex challenges relating to substance use and identifying the most appropriate digital solutions to respond to the health needs of this vulnerable cohort of people. Play a key role in the Communities of Practice.