The Manx Lottery Trust is to fund the launch of an innovative Family Alcohol Service.

Motiv8 Addiction Services will receive £50,000 a year to run the new service for the next three years.

The charity says it is keen to improve awareness about the impact alcohol can have on the family, and the new Family Alcohol Service will provide a focused programme of intervention.

Research has shown that early intervention can prevent intergenerational alcohol misuse, reducing further harm and negative impact to all family members.

It can also reduce the need for crisis-driven intervention.

The support offered is completely confidential and non-judgemental, and will enable all family members to have a voice. It will liaise with other key services that may be involved.

Every client and family will be assessed on an individual basis.

Lyndsey Smart, deputy director of Motiv8 Addiction Services, said: ’One of the main aims of the programme is to allow children to feel empowered to speak up.

’Following on from this, the scheme will help parents to understand the full impact of their alcohol misuse, and encourage the whole family to make positive behaviour and lifestyle changes.

’Getting the family back on the right path, with a much improved, nurturing family environment and a brighter future is our ultimate goal.

She added: ’We are so grateful to the Manx Lottery Trust for their vital support. We have everything in place to hit the ground running.’

On her recent visit to Motiv8, Sam Tague, funding manager of the Big Lottery Fund, said: ’It is wonderful that lottery funding is supporting such a worthwhile project.

’The Family Alcohol Service will provide a much-needed solution focused programme for families affected by alcohol misuse.

’This will enable parents and children access to the help and support needed to make positive long term behavioural changes, improving their well -being and quality of family life.’

Motiv8 Addiction Services will officially launch the Family Alcohol Service at Keyll Darree on Wednesday (March 29).

Lulu Gillow, chairman of the Manx Lottery Trust, said: ’This was an outstanding application that perfectly matched our thematic funding criteria.

’We are keen to support early intervention projects such as this one as they can bring about a reduction in the levels of preventable need.

’We are certain that the new Family Alcohol Service will help families overcome real difficulties.’