Recovery from addiction celebrated across the Quayside
More than 80 people took part in a dedicated celebration of recovery from addiction.
Hosted by Recovery Connections, the Recovery Walk from Baltic Square to Dunston Staithes and back brought people from across the region together on Friday (20 September).
The walk, almost five miles in length, was attended by multiple public, private and charity sector services in support of Recovery Month.
Recovery Connections, part of the Gateshead Recovery Partnership with Change Grow Live, is a 'lived experience' recovery organisation, and more than 90% of the charity's staff identify as being in recovery from addiction.
The team support people into recovery from addiction or substance use from alcohol and use their own experiences to support each other and be an inspiration for people newly accessing their services.
The event was the first time the team in Gateshead, based at both Jackson Street and Leam Lane Community Hub, organised an outdoor event to bring people together from across the community.
Ricky Vasey, Recovery Connections' Service Manager in Gateshead, said: "Support from the council has been wonderful. Enabling us to host an event of this size, which we can hopefully work towards growing for next year, gives our service a showcase to promote who we are and what we do for local people.
"The stigma surrounding addiction continues to be a big, personal and cultural barrier for people in accessing essential support services. Having the ability to celebrate who we are, as a community of people in recovery from addiction, helps to break down these barriers and encourage people who need support, to reach out."
Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health at Gateshead Council and Newcastle Council, said: "Visible support gives hope while celebrating all the amazing people who have battled the illness of addiction and overcome it. It's also important to hold events like the Recovery Walk to raise awareness of the life changing support available for people living with addiction in our area. Addiction does not have to be a life sentence and the walk showed how possible recovery is.
"The walk also gave people the opportunity to talk about their experiences and connect with a community of other people in recovery, which is crucial to reducing the stigma around addiction in our society.
"By working with our partners to create safe and nonjudgmental spaces, we can help spread the message that change is possible, and there is a welcoming community who can support you to take your first step in recovery."
Gateshead Recovery Partnership is located in Jackson Street, close to the Gateshead Interchange. Recovery Connections also operate a facility at Leam Lane Community Hub, on the ground floor of the centre, below the library.
If you or someone you know struggles with addiction, and is looking for support in Gateshead, you can find out more by calling 0191 5947821, or visiting the website below.
More than 80 people took part in a dedicated celebration of recovery from addiction.
Hosted by Recovery Connections, the Recovery Walk from Baltic Square to Dunston Staithes and back brought people from across the region together on Friday (20 September).
The walk, almost five miles in length, was attended by multiple public, private and charity sector services in support of Recovery Month.
Recovery Connections, part of the Gateshead Recovery Partnership with Change Grow Live, is a 'lived experience' recovery organisation, and more than 90% of the charity's staff identify as being in recovery from addiction.
The team support people into recovery from addiction or substance use from alcohol and use their own experiences to support each other and be an inspiration for people newly accessing their services.
The event was the first time the team in Gateshead, based at both Jackson Street and Leam Lane Community Hub, organised an outdoor event to bring people together from across the community.
Ricky Vasey, Recovery Connections' Service Manager in Gateshead, said: "Support from the council has been wonderful. Enabling us to host an event of this size, which we can hopefully work towards growing for next year, gives our service a showcase to promote who we are and what we do for local people.
"The stigma surrounding addiction continues to be a big, personal and cultural barrier for people in accessing essential support services. Having the ability to celebrate who we are, as a community of people in recovery from addiction, helps to break down these barriers and encourage people who need support, to reach out."
Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health at Gateshead Council and Newcastle Council, said: "Visible support gives hope while celebrating all the amazing people who have battled the illness of addiction and overcome it. It's also important to hold events like the Recovery Walk to raise awareness of the life changing support available for people living with addiction in our area. Addiction does not have to be a life sentence and the walk showed how possible recovery is.
"The walk also gave people the opportunity to talk about their experiences and connect with a community of other people in recovery, which is crucial to reducing the stigma around addiction in our society.
"By working with our partners to create safe and nonjudgmental spaces, we can help spread the message that change is possible, and there is a welcoming community who can support you to take your first step in recovery."
Gateshead Recovery Partnership is located in Jackson Street, close to the Gateshead Interchange. Recovery Connections also operate a facility at Leam Lane Community Hub, on the ground floor of the centre, below the library.
If you or someone you know struggles with addiction, and is looking for support in Gateshead, you can find out more by calling 0191 5947821, or visiting the website below.
