Humble beginnings

The project was established in response to the growing drugs and alcohol problem in the Levenmouth community, and was initially based in Wellesley Road, Buckhaven.

The organisation moved to 2 Parkdale Avenue in Leven, next to the town’s King George V public park. Residents initially voiced concerns over the initiative’s presence in their neighbourhood but within a short period of time DAPL had won the trust of those neighbours and was an accepted and valued part of the community.

By 2000 DAPL was offering various counselling approaches including psychotherapy and gestalt. Additionally DAPL was one of only four agencies in Scotland to have a dedicated youth counsellor.

In November it was announced that the organisation had been awarded funds to expand its young people’s service. As the organisation increased in size due to the needs of the community, it was clear that more space was required, especially as DAPL wanted to train a substantial number of volunteers to help with the valuable work being done with clients.

In November it was announced that the organisation had been awarded funds to expand its young people’s service. As the organisation increased in size due to the needs of the community, it was clear that more space was required, especially as DAPL wanted to train a substantial number of volunteers to help with the valuable work being done with clients.

DAPL was successful in expanding to take over the empty premises next door, which had been in a state of disrepair since being used by the caretaker of the former Parkdale Home. This increased capacity helped the organisation cope with the rapid increase in referrals that were coming its way

By 2007 DAPL was seeing clients in North East Fife and that year also saw the start of the successful street referral scheme pilot which was a new joint initiative between the organisation and Fife Constabulary.

The organisation became a company limited by guarantee and changed its name from Drug and Alcohol Project Levenmouth to Drug and Alcohol Project Limited, and we became the first organisation in Fife and only the fourth in the whole of Scotland to have its counselling service accredited by BACP.

The street referral scheme was expanded into Glenrothes, having previously only been in operation in Levenmouth and North East Fife. Further in 2010 DAPL rolled out its adult alcohol counselling service across the whole of the kingdom of Fife.

On 26th January 2012 the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership approved the recommendation of the Fife Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP) for DAPL to provide adult counselling throughout Fife for three years, following a grant funding application process.

DAPL opened a new premise at 2 Acorn Court in the Kingdom Centre to enhance the service that the organisation provides to the community of Glenrothes.

DAPL celebrated its 20th anniversary by having its counselling service re-accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

DAPL welcomed on board its first ever patron with renowned film and television actor Clive Russell pledging his support for the organisation.

Well known charity campaigner and businesswoman Eleanor Bowman MBE joined Clive Russell as a patron of the organisation.

DAPL was successful in its application to work as part of Fife Council’s “Our Mind Matter” service delivering counselling (individual and group work) to high school pupils across Fife experiencing psychological issues such as anxiety and stress.

DAPL is chosen by a number of primary and secondary schools to provide dedicated counsellors through the Scottish Government's Pupil Equity Fund.

DAPL celebrates its 25th anniversary by having its counselling service re-accredited by the BACP and releases a documentary video about the organisation.

2020 will be long remembered as the year when the Covid pandemic struck the world. Despite huge challenges, DAPL adapted to ensure that our clients received the services they require. The organisation utilised new technologies and developed new innovative ways of doing its work.

DAPL was delighted with the roll out of the ‘Digital Drop In’ programme across all Fife secondary schools after a successful pilot. The service allowed young people in high schools to contact DAPL directly via text or email to request counselling rather than having to have a referral made by guidance staff, and this unquestionably was an excellent development.

We had a successful art therapy pilot for under 10s. Holding the first in person full team meeting since 2020 (due to the Covid pandemic, meetings had been moved online) DAPL SMART Facilitator Stew recorded his 1000th SMART Meeting. This milestone was recognised far and wide.DAPL patron Clive Russell visited Lynburn Primary School's therapeutic poetry group where he presented certificates to pupil for their fine work.

The organisation was very pleased to be chosen as Fife Council's main provider of school counselling services across the region. DAPL was delighted to strengthen its link with Levenmouth Academy by providing additional counselling and art therapy for pupils there, via the Pupil Equity Funding arrangement.

DAPL celebrates its 30th anniversary by taking stock of our achievements and publishing an impact report you can download from our website.

We refreshed our website after a consultation with Will Price Studio to update the overall user experience and functionality.