Glasgow’s biggest ever city-wide event to celebrate people in recovery will be held on Glasgow Green on Saturday, 20 September from 12-5pm.
The free event – People Make Recovery – will bring together individuals, community members, families and services from across the city who are working hard to help break the stigma surrounding addiction and promote Glasgow as an inclusive city where people are free to recover without judgement.
It’s organised by the Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP), Freed Up and other key partners to celebrate the achievements as a city with an event that raises the profile of recovery in Glasgow.
People Make Recovery will be on from 12pm – 5pm at Glasgow Green with a host of activities and events for all the family.
Cllr Allan Casey, City Convener for Homelessness and Addiction Services, said: “We want to show that people can and do recover from addiction – we have around 1000 residents in the city who attend recovery groups every week.
They do remarkable work. People in recovery are often stigmatised. Our recovery communities each have a full programme of activity supported by teams of volunteers at different stages of recovery.
We hope this event will encourage people affected by addiction to come along to Glasgow Green and see for themselves that support is available and people do recover.”
Glasgow’s Recovery Communities provide peer led, aftercare support to people seeking recovery from alcohol and/or drug issues. Since their beginnings in 2014, recovery communities have grown considerably through the efforts of volunteers in recovery and are now established, commissioned services with charitable status and very significant partners in the ADP.
September is Recovery Month and serves as a vital platform to raise awareness about alcohol and substance use recovery, celebrate the achievements of individuals in recovery, and promote services and community groups supporting people in recovery.
Services across the city host events and celebrations to acknowledge the contributions made by their volunteers, the hard work of their staff and the achievement of those on their recovery journey.
Pat Togher, Chief Officer for Health and Social Care Partnership said: “This event is about showcasing the great work of our recovery volunteers and the lived experience of those who continue to make improvements in their lives despite the challenges they are faced with.
“This event focuses on moving forward positively but equally recognises the scale of complexity involved – the positive work going on in and around communities, the work of the volunteers and staff in recovery and to let people know support is available. People do recover and we should recognise and embrace this.”
Activities on the day include:
- Talking Library: Individuals sharing inspirational personal recovery stories, providing hope and encouragement to others.
- Resource Fair: ADP partner organisations offering information about treatment programs, peer support groups, employability, recovery events.
- Main stage: live music, drama, poetry readings, spoken word, highlighting the role of creativity in recovery.
- Holistic Therapies: Massage, Reiki, Sound bowls
- Family Activities: Face Painting, Outdoor games, Soft Play
The event will be alcohol and drug free with snacks and soft drinks being provided by national charity, Rapid Relief Team.
The Recovery movement in Glasgow is supported by numerous partners and services, including the community Recovery Hubs, the residential crisis and stabilisation services, the residential rehab services, counselling services and fellowship groups. There are 35 organisations represented on the ADP Recovery subgroup. Key partners include Freed Up, With You, Crossreach, SISCO, Turning Point Scotland and Glasgow’s Recovery Communities.
More information about Glasgow’s Recovery Community’s can be found via links below:
