Inspire: New alcohol and drug support service launches in West Northamptonshire

01 April 2026

A new alcohol and drug prevention, treatment and recovery service, Inspire, launched on 1 April, offering free and confidential support to residents across West Northamptonshire. The service is delivered on behalf of West Northamptonshire Council by a partnership of specialist organisations: Turning Point, Bridge, Family Support Link, Double Impact and Framework.

Inspire provides a single, coordinated offer for adults and young people affected by alcohol or drug use and their families. A dedicated team, Inspire Young People, will focus specifically on supporting young residents.

The new partnership will deliver the services formerly delivered by CGL and Aquarius NGAGE, both who will continue to deliver in the North, whilst also bringing together the support currently delivered by Bridge and FSL into one integrated service.

Inspire will be more accessible to people living in rural communities, with satellite clinics running in Daventry, Towcester, Brackley and Brixworth. The model features a larger outreach team and a broader range of interventions, including clinical support and structured programmes to help people sustain long term recovery.

A strengthened digital offer will allow residents to make simple online self referrals,  access a library of digital self help resources and order the lifesaving overdose reversal medication, naloxone, on the Inspire website.

Inspire will also develop innovative support pathways and educational programmes addressing issues such as co-existing mental health and substance use, rising ketamine use, and the dangers posed by synthetic opioids.

“Now that Inspire has officially launched, we are able to offer residents a stronger, more coordinated system of support than ever before. Bringing five specialist organisations together under one service means people in West Northamptonshire can access high quality help more quickly, more easily, and much closer to home.

“This new model strengthens the care we provide to our communities. By expanding outreach, improving digital access and creating clearer pathways into treatment and recovery, we are ensuring that anyone affected by alcohol or drug use can get the right support at the right moment. This launch marks an important milestone for our area, and we are proud to deliver a service that is more responsive, compassionate and accessible for every resident who needs it.”Cllr Laura Couse, Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Public Health at West Northamptonshire Council

“We are delighted to have been awarded this contract by West Northamptonshire Council.

“This new service brings together the expertise of all partners to ensure people are supported at every step of their journey. Our focus is on helping individuals make positive changes, reconnect with society, and access pathways into training, education and employment.

“We will offer an expanded range of support to help people recover from the harms caused by alcohol and drug use, improving lives across West Northamptonshire.”Sarah Hancock Smith, Turning Point Regional Head of Operations

Turning Point will lead on clinical and treatment services, drawing on their experience delivering alcohol and drug support across 19 other local authorities in England.

Bridge, a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO), has supported people in Northamptonshire since 2005 through activity programmes and peer led recovery groups. Family Support Link brings long-established expertise in supporting families and friends affected by someone else’s substance use. Double Impact, also a LERO, will provide recovery and employment-focused support, helping further shape service development through lived experience.

Framework will lead on criminal justice and outreach work, building on their experience supporting homeless and vulnerable people across the East Midlands.

Together, colleagues from all five organisations will provide a seamless, joined up experience so residents no longer need to navigate multiple parts of the system to access help.