September is Recovery Month, a time for individuals, groups, services, and organisations across the country to join together with the aim of celebrating recovery from substance use. Every year REACH Drug & Alcohol Services, part of Humankind uses the whole month to raise the profile of its strong, proud recovery community, people who have turned their lives around from alcohol or drugs, chosen positive recovery and now give back to their communities.
There are a wide variety of events happening across Dorset and people are invited to come and have a look around their local service to see what treatment and recovery look like in practice.
“September is a special time for us” said Joni Nash Director of Operations for Humankind SW, of which Reach is a key service. “People can turn to alcohol or other drugs at any time in their lives to cope with stress or trauma and we’re here to get them on track. Every month across Reach in Dorset and Together in Devon, over 100 people meet their goals and successfully move on. This needs celebrating and that’s what Recovery month is all about”.
Staff from the hubs in Gillingham, Wimborne and Weymouth are doing a variety of fundraising events in aid of the Recovery Fund SW. The Recovery Fund aims to provide a stepping stone to people by offering small individual grants based on personal goals. It is open to everyone in service and was initially created by a group of service users, staff, volunteers and trustees who wanted to make life in recovery a little easier. Grants are given to people who want to take up new hobbies or rekindle old ones lost when their lives were overtaken by drugs or alcohol. Recently grants have been offered for art supplies to offer a space for expression, fishing equipment for mindfulness and a kayak to support fitness and getting outdoors.
REACH staff are donning their walking boots to tread the coastal path and the North Dorset tram trail and there’s a sea swim taking place in Weymouth on 27th September. There are also raffles, cake sales and live music planned.
Finding ways to socialise and unwind can be really hard for people who have turned their back on alcohol and/or drugs, which is why the Dry Dock in Weymouth, an alcohol-free bar where people can go to meet others and enjoy activities without the pressure of alcohol is hosting a number of activities for Recovery Month. There’s a detox dance on Friday 22nd September and a quiz night on Thursday 28th September.
People are invited to come along and speak with staff to find out more about their local REACH service during this important awareness month. People use drugs or alcohol as a way of masking or coping with trauma, loneliness, or the need to escape. It can affect anyone, at any time of life and is an isolating, lonely and dangerous place. REACH want everyone to know that they have a free, friendly, confidential service on their doorstep and all anyone needs to do if they are worried about their drinking or drug taking is pick up the phone and call 0800 043 4656 for support.
To help people with just a few little things to aid them as they rebuild their lives in recovery visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/amy-callebaut-1691474909316
