UP Occupational Therapy

Stories from COSUP has officially launched! 📖

The University of Pretoria Occupational Therapy Department, together with the Community Oriented Primary Care Research Unit, recently launched Stories from COSUP: Lived experiences of substance use, support and recovery in Tshwane.

This free educational e-book shares lived experiences of substance use, support and recovery from contributors connected to COSUP. Through personal stories, photographs and multimedia reflections, it invites readers to look beyond stigma, see the person behind the substance use, and recognise the value of compassionate, community-based support.

The launch brought together contributors, academics, COSUP representatives, the City of Tshwane and university stakeholders to honour the stories shared and reflect on the importance of community-based care.

The e-book was formally introduced by Prof Vanessa Steenkamp, Deputy Dean for Teaching and Learning at the University of Pretoria. Mr Livhuwani Nemuthenga, representing the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, also addressed attendees, highlighting the importance of accessible, community-based substance use services. He reflected on how COSUP’s work has gained national and international recognition, particularly in a context where such support is not always readily available.

COSUP is a collaborative initiative between the University of Pretoria, which runs the programme, and the City of Tshwane, which provides funding to sustain these important community-based services.

This e-book was brought together over several years by editors Dr Helga Elke Lister, Dr Michelle Janse van Rensburg, Mrs Marike Smit and Ms Nabeela Kharva, with the support of many contributors, partners, students and colleagues.

📖The e-book is free to access on the University of Pretoria Community Oriented Primary Care Research Unit!

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