Francis Murphy Email & Phone Number

Northern Ireland

The Traumatic Stress, Alcohol & Drugs Best Practice Forum aims to reflect the Northern Ireland experience in the aftermath of 30 years of civil conflict. It attempts to draw together those influential and active in the area of Trauma and Addiction into one body of understanding and practice. The Forum is the outcome from a Cross Sectoral response to Northern Ireland"s enduring Legacy of Trauma, Over the past three years the Forum has gathered research, facilitated public workshops and published a pioneering information leaflet on the Co-Existing Conditions of Traumatic Stress; Alcohol and Drugs for Individuals and Families. Feedback from Practitioners across the Sector is that the Forum provides a space to articulate the challenges these complex issues present; facilitates networking and communication across the sectors and between practitioners and Service Users. The Forum exists because of this demand by Practitioners for a Peer led learning environment that respects their diverse working conditions, whilst supporting their collective aspirations towards identifying Best Practice and developing more effective ways of helping.

164 Cliftonville Road , Belfast Bt14 6Lb

My work is mostly Brief Intervention Solution Focussed with people referred from Lifeline -the Suicide Prevention Helpline. As a Survivor of Hate Crime, Trauma, Addiction and Suicide, I first came to Lifespring in 1990 and was helped and supported through my early Recovery. Today I am clean over 20 years and work with other survivors and their families, many of whom, like me, medicated themselves into addiction. With the support of the Lifespring’s programme I trained in Rogerian Group Facilitation at Protestant and Catholic Encounter (PACE) and the Facilitation Development Institute (FDI); trained in Befriending Theory and practice at the Institute of Counselling and Personal Development (ICPD). Was sponsored by Lifespring and Survivors Of Trauma to train as a Community Organiser with the Industrial Areas Foundation in Boston and then was awarded a Millennium Scholarship to study Therapeutic Communities in North America. Upon my return I completed a Higher Diploma in Trauma Counselling and am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Belfast

Facilitated the first coordinated response to the Alcohol and Drug Strategy for Northern Ireland; and out reach to improve cross border networking with groups in Cavan, Louth,,Sligo,Donegal and Dublin.

Belfast

I have always been a vocal activist for human and civil rights including the humane and effective treatment of victims and patients. I campaigned for a community development approach to the treatment of addiction. The 1990’s was a particularly busy time when I helped develop PANDA and CASA – voluntary groups that offered respite support, social and educational activities, and outreach to addicts and their families. I served on their management committees and attended local community drug partnerships and networks which contributed to the genesis of a coordinated Strategy for education and treatment of addiction in Northern Ireland. As Chair of CASA I advocated Harm Reduction and its incorporation into a capacity building process that promotes respect for human dignity and empowers human beings to live healthy and meaningful lives. CASA was able to focus attention on the needs of families and specific health issues such as Hepatitis C. I organised a cross border Family Support Network and joined the UK management committee of the Drug Users Development Agency. I also helped set up and chaired the UK Assembly of Hepatitis C Support Groups and supported development of an Irish alliance on Blood Borne Diseases. I also volunteered as a prison visitor and worked with young men with substance misuse problems in Hydebank YOC, Maghaberry and Magilligan Prisons – beating the path that lead to formal initiatives on counselling and support within the Prison system.

Served for 20 years on various Policy Committees such as the Finance and General Purposes Committee; Developed Policy, Procedures and Training, interviewed staff, liaised with Law Society to secure waiver of Solicitor's practice regulations etc.

Law Society Of Northern Oreland

Served as Liaison Officer throughout the some of the most violent and divisive years of Northern Ireland's history. Gained a reputation for an ability to involve and motivate a diverse range of organisations in developing innovative advice services. My success depended on an ability not only to communicate clearly and build relationships between voluntary / community organisations, but also to persuade an array of volunteers to work in highly specialist legal institutions to develop services to assist the public – I set up the first Duty Solicitor Scheme in Northern Ireland; introduced the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and free legal advice at the Belfast Magistrates Courts, and helped found Victims Support. I served on the management committee of Law Centre (NI) for over 20years and have a lifelong commitment and involvement in promoting Civil and Human Rights and improving intercultural cooperation, mediation and Conflict resolution.

Ba Hons Social Science, Criminology

Activities and Societies: Chair of the Irish Society: Chair Socialist Students Alliance; Chair Anti-Internment League;

Certificate In Social Welfare Law, Housing Law

Education record