Edinburgh Napier University

  Integration of health and social care services is happening across the United Kingdom. Integrating services is important as it puts more focus on supporting the lives – not just the health – of individuals and families. Vulnerable groups in society, such as those recovering from alcohol and drug dependence, stand to gain the most from successful integration. Yet, success is far from secure. Despite pockets of progress, each step towards joint working brings new challenges and a need to pause and reflect on what is working and what is not. During an evening at Serenity Café – Scotland’s only recovery café run for people in recovery by people in recovery – social scientists, policy-makers, students and the public will gather to share experience and evidence around the potential benefits of health and social care integration for individuals in recovery. The event opens with a drama that shows the need for successful integration from the perspective of individuals in recovery. Leading social scientists working in recovery will then share their research to spark discussion and lively debate. We anticipate that participants will leave with renewed interest and insight into health and social care integration and how the social sciences can shape this policy agenda.