GCA celebrated its 55th-anniversary recently (2020) and throughout that time provided evidence-based therapeutic services in Glasgow City and beyond. GCA currently provides accessible, responsive, flexible services from a central base and a variety of locations in communities to meet the needs of local people. We offer direct support for people to abstain from alcohol or reduce their alcohol consumption, provide training and education and work with other agencies and communities to achieve our main aim of reducing the harm caused by alcohol and drugs. GCA has provided an innovative city-wide prevention and education service since 2001.
The agency has excellent working relationships with a range of statutory and voluntary sector providers including the NHS, Glasgow City Council and a multitude of community organisations and groups ensure a holistic service experience for people who are in need of support.
Mission
GCA is a voluntary organisation working to reduce the harm caused by alcohol misuse, improve health and wellbeing and reduce recidivism by providing a range of high-quality advice, information, counselling, support, prevention and education and training services.
Vision
GCA will use its position as Glasgow's leading voluntary organisation tackling the misuse of alcohol to:
? Improve alcohol and drug education
? Influence the social climate to reduce harmful substance use
? Improve health and wellbeing
? Address inequalities in service provision and enable wider access to services
? Work alongside funders and other service providers in the provision of appropriate services and education
Over the course of GCA?s years of service provision, the agency has been responsible for developing a number of new initiatives in different areas, including:
? Counselling services within Barlinnie prison
? A community-based drug advice and counselling service in Ruchill
? A project in Easterhouse which later became the Greater Easterhouse Alcohol Awareness Project (GEAAP) providing alcohol counselling, advice and information as well as prevention and education work
? A Hostels Project providing advice, information and counselling work in the hostels for people who are homeless
? Counselling services in several GP surgeries
? The Sunday Social in Easterhouse
? SOS Safe place service in the city centre of Glasgow
? Criminal Justice, Community Payback Initiatives
