Former bank to be substance misuse centre

The former TSB Bank on Severn Street is set to become a facility for people in the Welshpool area who have substance misuse issues.

Working on behalf of the multi-agency Powys Substance Misuse Area Planning Board, Powys County Council has secured the property utilising Capital Funds from the Welsh Government, which will provide a more suitable, long term base.

The service has for a number of years been delivered by Kaleidoscope from the Armoury.

Councillor Stephen Hayes, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adult Social Care, explained: “It will allow service delivery in Welshpool to be improved in line with national government strategy and ensure it is comparable with other substance misuse bases in Powys that have received capital investments in the past.”

Kaleidoscope offers substance misuse treatment support to individuals dealing with substance misuse issues, their families and carers, across Powys, with four bases located across the county – Welshpool, Newtown, Llandrindod and Brecon.

The service offers a range of support including advice & information; brief interventions; structured treatment; access to counselling and recovery focused support.

Neighbours to the old TSB Bank on Severn Road were invited to a drop-in session to discuss the move last year. Representatives of the council and Kaleidoscope also met with Welshpool Town Council, county councillors in the town as well as service users.

As well as bringing the Welsh Government funding into the town, the county council has also secured Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission to make alterations to the building.

Last year, 116 referrals to the substance misuse service in Welshpool were received.

More information about the services provided by Kaleidoscope can be found at www.recoverypowys.uk/ or via the council’s webpage on www.powys.gov.uk/en/adult-social-care/drugs-alcohol-support/.

PICTURE: by Ameerah Williams