The Guernsey Alcohol Advisory Service (GAAS) has recruited an experienced manager to run its St Peter Port residential unit as it looks to extend the range of services offered on-island.
David Prevel has started as Rehabilitation Dry House Manager to oversee the eight-room housing unit at the Brockside premises in the Grange. The charity provides community-based counselling, assistance and signposting to help Islanders and their families affected by alcohol.
David Newman, GAAS director, said: “We are very pleased David has joined us as he brings vast experience in healthcare together with prison and children services which will help us develop the residential unit in line with the Bailiwick’s Drug and Alcohol Strategy. Each year we see over 100 local people who need our help and we have housed 500 residents since we opened our doors over 30 years’ ago.”
In his role, Mr Prevel will provide short and long term residential support for recovering alcoholics and help raise awareness of the Guernsey Alcohol Advisory Service in the community. He has 17 years’ experience in the Guernsey Prison Service, six in children’s services, is qualified as an offending behaviour tutor and has also worked in healthcare and rehabilitation.
Mr Prevel said he was really looking forward to the challenge.
“I genuinely get a buzz out of helping people and offering a non-judgemental ear and see myself as a good listener and empathetic which will be important in this role. My aim is to help islanders who are experiencing alcohol and mental health issues and are homeless return successfully from the unit to the community and rebuild their lives, health and relationships, alcohol free.”
In his spare time, Mr Prevel is a keen motorcyclist and founder of the Guernsey Bikers’ Group. He is also co-owner of the ex-forces PTSD Racing Team which helps former military personnel living with post traumatic health disorder.
