DAWN OF A NEW ERA Staffordshire Buddies first Open Meeting at Upper House on 25th January 2000 A new era for Staffordshire Buddies began on Tuesday 25th January 2000 with the first ever open meeting to which all service users, volunteers and staff were invited. This was an historic event and is a significant step along the road of Vision 2000 started by Staffs Buddies former director Andrew Colclough and now carried forward by its new director Janine Hunt. The Chair of Staffordshire Buddies, Ian Mason welcomed everyone at the Upper House Barlaston. The room comfortably accommodated a circle of people who had responded to the invitation to listen to Staffordshire Buddies Service Users answer questions about the organisation, combination therapy and how it had affected their lives and expectations of support from the organisation. Three users of Staffordshire Buddies 2 men and 1 woman had been given the questions in advance to have a chance to think about their replies. Under the guidance of Janine Hunt the question and answer session developed into an open debate about the organisation, drug treatments, failures and successes and aspirations for the future. Janine drew everyone’s attention to the many outstanding success and achievements of the past and said that Staffordshire Buddies was an organisation of which to be proud. She said that responding quickly to changing needs was vital, and that Staffordshire Buddies should take pride in the speed and willingness with which it has addressed changes brought about by the new combination treatments and by swiftly adapting to address the needs of an increasing number of positive women and children who come have to us for help and support. Each question drew sincere and meaningful responses from the three speakers. The voices of the two other positive people present added their own experiences helping to create a fuller picture. There were touching moments when heartfelt gratitude was expressed for the help given by individuals and by the organisation as a whole. Everyone seemed to become wrapped up in the debate and it was no surprise to find that we passed the time allotted time for a ‘rest period.’ In fact, the smokers went through the entire meeting without a break, which gives a clear indication of the way everyone had become totally involved in the proceedings. Of course, more issues could have been raised and the answers given could only reflect a segment of the entire picture. None the less, the willingness to listen and participate by all present helped to cross barriers and blur the distinctions between Staff, Volunteer and Service User uniting those present with an enthusiasm to face the uncertainties that undoubtedly lie ahead. M