Likewise, The Corner and 1625 come together for an innovative ketamine campaign
Sheffield organisations have joined forces to create ‘Let’s Talk About Ket’, a major six-week awareness campaign to combat rising ketamine use.
The campaign is a collaboration between local drug support services Likewise Sheffield, The Corner and 1625 Outreach. Over the course of six weeks, the messages explored the physical impacts of the drug, strategies for staying safer and ways people can get local support.
Likewise Assistant Director Jo Byrden said: “Right now is a critical time, with ketamine use increasing nationwide, particularly among teenagers and young adults.”
“A primary focus of this work is to educate people in Sheffield on the severe, but often misunderstood, physical toll of chronic ketamine use, which includes excruciating abdominal pain, known as “K cramps”, and irreversible bladder damage.”
Central to the campaign were stories from local people, highlighting the complex ways ketamine is reshaping lives in the city.
Abbie, a woman from Sheffield supported by Likewise, explained how she suffered severe health complications linked to her use: “It started with getting K cramps – a pain under my ribs. That was excruciating and I had no idea that was related to ketamine. I’d heard of bladder problems if you take a lot of it, but I’d never heard of cramps.”
The organisers urge anyone experiencing these physical symptoms to seek immediate medical support from their GP.
Beck Limb, from 1625 Outreach: “We’re incredibly proud to be raising awareness of ketamine through this campaign. It demonstrates the importance of organisations working together to address emerging issues affecting our communities.
“By starting conversations about ketamine, we want to give people across the city the knowledge and confidence to keep themselves and their friends safe, recognise the risks, and know where to go for support when they need it.”
The initiative also targeted frontline professionals. At a sold out conference hosted by Likewise, The Corner and 1625, expert speakers shared crucial insights into the rise of the drug and what can be done to help people. The event attracted more than 220 professionals from healthcare, higher education, youth services, and social care across Sheffield.
Niall Morton from youth services The Corner added:
“With ketamine use rising sharply among younger demographics, it’s vital that young people are fully informed about the real risks and physical long-term dangers.
“This campaign isn’t about judgment. It’s about providing the honest, evidence-based knowledge they need to make safer choices and look out for one another.”
For people currently struggling, local services emphasise that their confidential, non-judgmental help is readily available for free.
“Recognising that you need help is terrifying,” said someone supported by Likewise. “There is help out there, there are people out there, and the first step is acknowledging to yourself that you need it. I would advise people to get help as soon as possible”.
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