Using Greenslate Farm as a community rehabilitation setting to support individuals recovering from drug and alcohol misuse 

Lay summary of research 

The community farm was established in 2012.  Funding from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) subsequently resulted in the construction of the Straw Bale Building and Café where the community rehab programme is located.  The programme is part of a commissioned public health contract with We Are With You (henceforth With You). The programme began in 2017 and With You initially managed the programme day to day as part of their contract to deliver drug and alcohol services in Wigan and Leigh.  Since 2023, the organisation, BAC O’Connor, has delivered the programme day to day, working in partnership with Wigan Council, With You and the community farm.  

The programme has an overarching focus on enabling people to support their rehabilitation and recovery from problematic substance use.   

The aims are: 

1. To support individuals through their treatment journey into recovery with skills, knowledge and coping mechanisms to navigate life 
2. To allow the opportunity to deal with real life issues at the same time as daily life.  

The overarching aim of the evaluation is to undertake an in-depth qualitative study of the community rehabilitation programme. While the research will consider the programme as a whole, a particular focus will be placed on the more novel aspects of the model including its non-residential approach and its location within a community farm setting. The evaluation will also aim to capture the longer-term trajectories of clients who complete or leave the programme.  

More specifically the evaluation objectives are: 

1. To understand how key components or features of the programme (e.g. the farm setting, non-residential model) contribute to delivery and outcomes. 
2. To understand who engages with the programme, and how it is experienced by clients, staff, and volunteers as well as barriers to engagement with the programme  
3. To explore the longer-term trajectories of clients including those who graduate or leave the programme  
4. To investigate the context for the programme including barriers and enabling factors that shape delivery and outcomes.  
5. To map the range of costs and benefits that could be included in future economic evaluation of community (non-residential) rehabilitation. 
6. To identify lessons for future delivery and evaluation of other community (non-residential) rehabilitation programmes.

How are the public involved in the evaluation?

Public involvement is embedded in PHIRST LiLaC’s work and activities through the PHIRST LiLaC Public Adviser Panel. This panel meets regularly and is responsible for reviewing involvement processes, and providing advice on engagement and involvement plans across the PHIRST LiLaC team and its research.

Public advisers on the panel are contributing their expertise and experience around developing and conducting public health evaluations and in tackling health inequalities. The PHIRST LiLaC Public Adviser Panel will also work closely with PHIRST researchers, advising on the recruitment and conduct of interviews with as well as ethical and safeguarding considerations. They will also be actively involved in analysis and interpretation of data from interviews