The DSM Foundation, a charity dedicated to drug education, has recently announced the launch of their refreshed values: compassion, connection, and quality. These values reflect the organization’s mission to prevent harm to young people and provide effective education on drug use.
Founded in 2014 in response to the loss of 16-year-old Daniel Spargo-Mabbs to a drug overdose, the DSM Foundation has always been driven by a strong sense of values. The founders, Dan’s parents, were determined to spare other families from experiencing the same tragedy. The launch of the refreshed values on Dan’s birthday serves as a poignant reminder of their mission.
The organization’s previous values, Engage, Inform, and Empower, have been further developed to better communicate their identity as a charity. After reflecting on what is most important to the team and trustees, the three concepts of Compassion, Connection, and Quality were chosen to represent the foundation’s work.
Compassion is the driving force behind everything the organization does. The foundation prioritizes a non-judgmental, trauma-informed, and respectful approach in all their interactions with young people, recognizing their unique strengths and vulnerabilities.
Connection is also a key aspect of the foundation’s work. By creating strong connections with young people and the adults of influence in their lives, such as parents and teachers, they are able to make a significant impact. The foundation also strives to establish meaningful connections between all those involved in their work, recognizing the importance of collaboration in achieving their mission.
Lastly, quality is of utmost importance to the DSM Foundation. They ensure that their practices are evidence-based, evaluated, and validated, using the most reliable and current data and research. They also listen to the voices of young people to continuously improve their approach and ensure the most effective outcomes.
The DSM Foundation is a small charity with a big heart, and they are proud to be known as Team Dan. Their aim is to provide young people with age-appropriate, relevant, and evidence-based information about drugs, equipping them with the skills to make safe choices. The foundation currently works with almost 750 schools, colleges, and community organizations, providing workshops for parents and caregivers, as well as training for school staff.
Educational settings can also access the foundation’s verbatim play, “I Love You Mum, I Promise I Won’t Die,” which tells Dan’s story through the words of his loved ones. The play can be studied as a GCSE Drama set text or booked for a Theatre in Education performance. Additionally, schools and colleges can download free, age-appropriate, and evidence-based drug education lesson resources from the foundation’s website.
For more information about the DSM Foundation and their work, please visit their website at https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/. Media inquiries can be directed to media@dsmfoundation.org.uk.
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