Interacting with health services for an addiction can be complex and challenging. This can be due to significant social and welfare barriers that perpetuate engagement, especially if treatment and services are based in fixed locations. A lack of insight into the lived experience of people needing care is part of the problem, perpetuating a cycle of disengagement leading to further issues with health outcomes. When this is then further compounded by areas of diversity, then further complexities and challenges appear. This can include diversities related to age, class, gender, sexuality, religion, language and ability. To promote scope for services to be better, we need to think holistically beyond fixed spaces and places.

Creating culturally responsive approaches requires various key elements, especially when it comes to enabling people to co-led and create. Such concepts include understanding the broader structures, systems and services individuals, families and communities are located. The concept of cultural humility, where one strives to understand self and others in a relationally driven manner is also key. And then providing safe spaces that are generally and genuinely accessible is vitally important to the provision of sustainable services. Through this shared approach, we can achieve shared outputs and outcomes that are culturally safe and community led.