affinity magazine - february 2014

AFFINITYInspire, belong, support, achieve...

Recovery Coaches Aroma CafePC & LaptopWizardry

JuiceThe Well

BRiC & Red Rose Recovery Frenchwood Allotment

Find out what’s going on

in YOUR community!

February 2014 | Issue 008 | http://affinitymagazine.wordpress.com

Aaron’s Journey through his recovery

Recovery or Discovery?

“Art fills the void it has changed my life...”

Addicon to Art

CONNECTING RECOVERY ACROSS LANCASHIRE

2 | Affinity Newsletter • Issue 004 - March 2013

Affinity Team

Introducon

Hi everyone! Welcome to our first edion of 2014.

We hope you all had a good and safe Christmas and New Year. Hopefully you’ve all survived the January blues and are looking to ship - shape and nose dive into February with inspiraon, excitement and discover what 2014 holds for you!

In this edion we have had some really honest and personal accounts from our readers in the recovery community, telling us how they came into recovery and what they are up to now. We think visible recovery definitely begins at home and if we can share stories with each other about our triumphs, challenges and discoveries in recovery then home and if we can share stories with each other about our triumphs, challenges and discoveries in recovery then we can inspire and support others to make posive changes and keep on being the strong, friendly and brilliant community that we are!

If you’re struggling with ideas of what to do, there is plenty going on throughout the Lancashire recovery community. So why not check out what’s happening in Affinity and discover what new experiences you could create for yourself.

If you have an idea or a project that isn’t in this edion of Affinity, don’t be afraid to get in touch with us and we’ll hook you up with the right people and promote it.

Every issue we focus on celebrang recovery and using the 5 ways to well being by promong events, projects, Every issue we focus on celebrang recovery and using the 5 ways to well being by promong events, projects, celebraons, opportunies, groups and support available to the recovery community across Lancashire. We’re here to inspire people, give people hope, show people that recovery is achievable, offer paths and opportunies and make informaon freely available about support and connecons within your community.

Take care and most of all… have fun!

What will you discover?

GIVEKEEP LEARNINGTAKE NOTICEBE ACTIVECONNECT

02 | Affinity Magazine • Issue 008 - February 2014

The sheer enthusiasm, commitment and charity of those individuals who want to give back and connect with their communies has been upliing. The hard work has been acknowledged and as a result a number of BRiC applicaons are in the pipeline, watch this space.

It has been humbling to hear the voices of recovery within North Lancashire and how they have harnessed the assets of their addicon to bring about posive changes within the communies they live. I feel truly honoured to be part of that journey and am absolutely commied to the building of recovery within Lancashire as a whole.

With support from my colleagues in the newly assembled North Lancs BRIC Team I feel we have the right people in the right locaons to make sure the right things are done at the right me to support the growth and sustainability of recovery.

Greengs, My name is Gary Byrne I am the new CRI Inspire North Lancs BRiC Co-ordinator. I am based within the CVS in Lancaster on Wednesday’s along with my North Locality RRR colleague Alison, however I cover a vast area of the North and am mobile across it’s projects and communies, which includes Morecambe, Fleetwood, Kirkham, St. Annes and the two Prisons in North Lancashire HMP Kirkham St. Annes and the two Prisons in North Lancashire HMP Kirkham and Lancaster Farms. Through effecve partnership working the North Lancashire BRiC team has managed to successfully fund varied ventures covering everything from a screening of The Anonymous People Film in HMP Kirkham to aendance for SU’s at the upcoming 2014 DDN SU Conference “Be the Change”. I have been made to feel really welcome and have been truly inspired and humbled by the communies and projects I have visited. and humbled by the communies and projects I have visited.

...connued on next page

North BRiC Co-ordinatorGary Byrne



“Perfectly Imperfect”

We have all heard that no two snowflakes are alike. Each snowflake takes the perfect form for the maximum efficiency and effecveness for its journey. And while the universal force of gravity gives them a shared desnaon, the expansive space in the air gives each snowflake the opportunity to take their own path. They are on the same journey, but each takes a different path.but each takes a different path.

Along this gravity-driven journey, some snowflakes collide and damage each other, some collide and join together, some are influenced by wind... there are so many transions and changes that take place along the journey of the snowflake. But, no maer what the transion, the snowflake always finds itself perfectly shaped for its journey.

I find parallels in nature to be a beauful reflecon of grand orchestraon. One of these parallels is of snowflakes and us. We, too, are all headed in the One of these parallels is of snowflakes and us. We, too, are all headed in the same direcon. We are being driven by a universal force to the same desnaon. We are all individuals taking different journeys and along our journey, we somemes bump into each other, we cross paths, we become altered... we take different physical forms. But at all mes we too are 100% perfectly imperfect. At every given moment we are absolutely perfect for what is required for our journey. I’m not perfect for your journey and you’re not perfect for my journey, but I’m perfect for my journey and you’re perfect for your journey. We’re heading to the same place, we’re taking different routes, journey and you’re perfect for your journey. We’re heading to the same place, we’re taking different routes, but we’re both exactly perfect the way we are.

Think of what understanding this great orchestraon could mean for recovery. Imagine interacng with others knowing that they too each share this parallel with the snowflake. Like you, they are headed to the same place and no maer what they may appear like to you, they have taken the perfect form for their journey. How strong our recovery would be if we could see and respect that we are all perfectly imperfect for our journey.”

A lone snowflake is beaufully vulnerable – when connected they make glaciers that are beaufully powerful A lone snowflake is beaufully vulnerable – when connected they make glaciers that are beaufully powerful and stand the test of me.

North BRiC Co-ordinatorGary Byrne



Kathryn Davies tells Affinity more…Aroma coffee and informaon is staffed by quite a lot of people prey new to recovery. Educaon courses run hear, as well as a creave wring group and a cra group. The last Saturday night of the month a recovery cafe open mic night is on. I decided to start the cafe nights because there were no meengs in Accrington on Saturday nights. As my confidence grows I will be aiming to make the cafe night a weekly night. I’m in recovery myself and work there make the cafe night a weekly night. I’m in recovery myself and work there 2 days a week. It has been brilliant in helping me cope much beer with my anxiety and depression. There is always lots of people in the café and it has internet and laptop use for everyone. Even the mayor ofAccrington comes to the cafe nights and the entertainment has been mainly from others in recovery.

Check out our Facebook page ‘Aroma Coffee Lounge & Informaon’ to find out up to date informaon about what going on.

Find them at: 7 Infant St, BB5 1DZ Accrington

Aroma Coffee Lounge and Informaon Centre Aroma Coffee Lounge and Informaon Centre is run by a Chrisan charitable organisaon and has been open now for around 18 months. It is a space where everyone in the communityis welcome, accepted and encouraged on their own terms.



The centre also has a fully equipped computer suite with internet access which is proving popular for job searching and creang CV’s. There is a lot going on and we have a pool table and table tennis tables and these are well used by the people coming in. You can even have a pool tournament with the local Police and Community Support Officers who are regular visitors to Community Support Officers who are regular visitors to the centre. Discover Services are also working in partnership with us in the hub and run a drop in alongside us every week 1-3pm.

We have some really good projects coming up soon being delivered to the recovery community from the centre. In partnership with Skelmersdale Community Food Iniave we shall be doing workshops on Healthy Eang and Healthy Eang on a Budget. All ingredients are provided and you can take home what you make. This project is due to commence later in the month. Also in the centre in partnership with the later in the month. Also in the centre in partnership with the local college this month you can sign up for Level 1 Mental Health, Level 1 Alcohol Awareness, Level 1 Substance Misuse Awareness and Level 1 Stress management. All four have gained a lot of interest and we ancipate that the course will fill up fast.

We have an arts and cras group and they all made a multude of cards for Christmas that they were able to give to family and friends. We ancipate an arts and cras group will soon be up and running and interest in such a group is very high.such a group is very high.

Hi Everyone,A lot has been happening since the last update on Central locality.Red Rose recovery now have a hub up and running in Skelmersdale at the Tanhouse Community Centre every Thursday 10am ll 4pm. The project was inially funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund and was matched by West Lancs Community Voluntary Service. We have now secured further funding via the Building Recovery in the Community (BRIC) secured further funding via the Building Recovery in the Community (BRIC) process and some external funding from other sources.

We start every Thursday with a FREE breakfast club at 10am and this is well ulised.

Hi everyone!


Central Locality WorkerRosie Latham



For more informaon about what opportunies are available with Red Rose Recovery in Central contact me on Preston 01772251108/ 07935251579 email [email protected]

The hub is assisted by volunteers and Red Rose Recovery would like to thank them for their me and commitment. Parcular thanks to Nicky, Barbra and Jo who turn up every week and parcipate in all the acvies and help to ensure the hub is accessible to all and fully set up.

If you are in the West Lancs area and are interested in joining us please just come along any Thursday. All are welcome including family, friends and carers.

It’s also that me of year again to get your creave heads on as the 2nd Lancashire Recovery Arts and Culture Event is now underway. It will take place on Monday 24th March at Preston University and all entries should be Event is now underway. It will take place on Monday 24th March at Preston University and all entries should be in no later than 28th February.. This is a fantasc opportunity to showcase your talent and could lead to greater things as we have recently via BRIC secured funding for a previous entrant and winner from last year’s event to open his own studio. Please see all informaon required in this edion and good luck.

Next week will see an awards event for a group from Chorley who has completed the above menoned courses in partnership with their local college. Everyone who commenced on this 16 week course has passed with flying colours and will be presented with their cerficates at Taon Community Centre in Chorley followed by a colours and will be presented with their cerficates at Taon Community Centre in Chorley followed by a buffet lunch. This was kindly made possible thanks to Discover Services for providing the funds for the event. Not only have Discover provided the funds for this event but they have also kindly agreed to sponsor the prizes for the CRAFT secon of the awards evening.

Central Locality WorkerRosie Latham



The planning of this year’s walk is well and truly underway, and we thought it was me we gave our pals in Lancashire a bit of an update. The UK Recovery Walk Charity has been working hard behind the scenes to establish a planning process that can be used each year to ensure that everyone is informed, included and encouraged to parcipate in the organising of the UK annual celebraon of Recovery from addicon. The Bi-monthly Planning meengs have been really well aended, and the conversaon café format we use creates a real buzz which has enabled some wonderful aended, and the conversaon café format we use creates a real buzz which has enabled some wonderful ideas to be put forward. Our hosts, GMRF, a group of dedicated individuals who are keen to make sure this years walk is a huge success, have welcomed the process introduced by UKRW which is proving a sure fire way to keep us on track. No easy task when there are so many folk keen to be involved and enthusiasc to share ideas. More informaon about the process and regular updates about each meeng is available at: www.ukrecoverywalk.org/the-6th-uk-recovery-walk-greater-manchester - including downloads to how the planning days are structured.

We had hoped to bring you the exact date of the walk however we are sll waing for confirmaon on the best date in September from our colleagues at Manchester City Council – we will keep you posted on that one.

As Greater Manchester is made up of 10 different regions we are currently encouraging the making of banners from each of these areas. Rochdale is well on their way with other regions hot in pursuit.

To see 1000s of people celebrang recovery in such a visible way is going to make for a phenomenal sight at this years walk! So come on you guys in Lancashire and beyond, get your thinking caps on and your banner making teams at the ready…… We are officially in 2014 the year of the UK Recovery Walk in Greater Manchester …. Bring It On !!! Deb Drinkwater UKRW Trustee & Member of GMRF

Hosted by GMRF (Greater Manchester Recovery Federaon)Walk 2014 UK Recovery




Recovery? Or Discovery? I heard recently an interpretaon of the former using an analogy of a broken leather chair and the need for it to be repaired. It was then suggested that what if you had never had this leather chair, then the laer becomes more apparent when talking about breaking free from addicon. I write this because my journey has been all about discovering who I was, who I am and who do I want to become. discovering who I was, who I am and who do I want to become. So discovery seems more to the point in my opinion (and that’s all this is).

I could bore you with countless tales of misadventure whilst wandering around my life in a nonchalant manner, but I’m sure you heard it all before. Today; it’s about my journey from making that choice to change, acceptance and understanding and how I developed a sense of self which was guided by my deepest values.

From the first moment I walked into a meeng I knew that it was possible to stop using drugs and it was here that I learnt the basics of what was needed to be done. I spent the next few years aending meengs, various that I learnt the basics of what was needed to be done. I spent the next few years aending meengs, various inpaent detox’s and rehabilitaon centres; but my stubborn unwillingness to accept and understand my situaon and self, contributed to twenty three of what I then believed to be ‘failures’ (lapse / relapses). I was beginning to believe that there was no way out and these moments of profound hopelessness and despair resulted in some very negave thinking. Looking back all we can do, no maer the situaon, is make the best choice (raonal or irraonal) we see at the me and go with it. We won’t always get it right and we will make mistakes. I think what I’m trying to say is never give up because the next aempt could be the one. As Thomas mistakes. I think what I’m trying to say is never give up because the next aempt could be the one. As Thomas Edison once said: "If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong aempt discarded is another step forward."

I’ve heard countless comments that drug addicts are weak, but maintaining my addicon was hard! I was strong willed and I had incredible problem solving skills: drop me in the middle of a lonely road out in the scks and I’d have found a means to get drugs quicker than a means to get drugs quicker than you can find your car keys.

I just needed to channel my abilies into something that wouldn’t kill me or drive me crazy.

by Aaron MorrisDiscovery or Recovery



I found myself back in a rehab for a fourth me, but this me the old cliché of ‘it’s going to be different’ never rung so true. I found it hard and every day I wanted to leave but something kept me there (I’m led to believe this was my key worker begging the manager to not kick me out), but nethertheless I stayed and the sense of achievement I got from compleng something was overwhelming. I spent the first few weeks slightly apprehensive most probably due to my past form of relapsing; but I quickly began to realise that I was at a point in my life that I had full control and I was able to steer my life in prey much any direcon I chose. It was an amazing experience being drug free and aer wasng several years taking drugs, I was ready to It was an amazing experience being drug free and aer wasng several years taking drugs, I was ready to embark on what felt like an experience of a lifeme.

I realised whilst in rehab that it wasn’t the acon (the change) that I feared; but it was the ambivalence surrounding the change. To queson these feelings is a normal human trait but I did tend to analyse and internalise things way too much. I began to realise that nothing was holding me back and soon enough, small steps would become the equivalent of giant leaps towards the creave, the passionate, the driven and the somewhat spiritual. Remember you are only confined by the walls you build yourself.

Discovery rather than recovery is bold statement to make (aer all who am I really) but it’s one that resonates posivity through and through. Don’t get me wrong life has thrown some difficult mes my way but what I’ve found is that if you give yourself long enough to enjoy the benefits of being alcohol or drug free then it’s impossible to give it up. Always ask yourself tough quesons, accept raonal responsibility, follow your own advice and listen to your intuion (your gut insnct is never wrong). And finally … “What comes easy won’t last, what lasts won’t come easy”. Peace Out

Discovery or Recovery

Photograph by Carlean Gall



Funding was granted to a local housing organisaon to create homes and jobs for members of the recovery community. One of the successful post holders is on a life licence, thus creang a real opportunity for someone who had previously been unable to secure a job with a factory (and not down to his over qualificaon). This project will be a huge Public Health outcome for East and potenally Central Lancs in that they are not just creang affordable, accessible and well renovated homes to members of the recovery community or those being released from homes to members of the recovery community or those being released from Prison, but are also creang and offering jobs both in construcon, admin and management to our recovery community and those most marginalised.

On January 15th the Red Rose Recovery netball team had their first coaching session where 10 women turned up commied to get more acve this New Year. Our coach (Public Health Wellbeing Coordinator for Hyndburn) has her job cut out and has taken on a Public Health challenge improving our fitness and tackling such issues as poor diet, health, smoking, weight gain and the such issues as poor diet, health, smoking, weight gain and the fact that none of us have played netball in over 20 years. We pracce every other Wednesday 12-1pm at New Era in Accrington. One of our members travels a great geographical ...

We have recently awarded funding for 2 paid jobs for the Inspired Catering Crew Enterprise who provide buffets on a professional level to CRI and LUF and run a café from Inspire Burnley.

We have also approved funding which has enabled 2 members of the recovery community from Burnley to set up their own businesses – They showed a strong commitment to building recovery by offering opportunies for volunteering/employment & training to others. One of the successful businesses “PC Wizardry” has now commenced trading.“PC Wizardry” has now commenced trading.

I last wrote a round up for the Autumn Affinity edion and packed into it all the recovery community developments which had happened in the last two years. It was a big write up! The East BRiC Commissioning Group have had a busy few months and approved funding for a range of brilliant iniaves. The role of our panel (comprising LUF Locality Chair, RRR Locality worker and BRiC Coordinator) is to idenfy and approve funding applicaons from local community groups/organisaons and individuals which encompass the 5 Ways to Wellbeing and have organisaons and individuals which encompass the 5 Ways to Wellbeing and have an Asset Based approach to Community Development.


East BRiC Co-ordinatorKerry Stewart



... distance to come and be part of our team. For her specifically the team is providing a place to belong, a community of camaraderie and laughter and is able to improve her all round fitness and health. What a result!!

The Red Rose Recovery Choir have also had an incredibly busy and fesve me singing all across the North West. For the second year running we went out with Rossendale Police and sang carols at 5 different nursing homes across Haslingden. Both years have been incredibly emoonal for our choir members, the Police and some of the residents who expressed sincere appreciaon to us for going.

BRiC also approved funding to secure a second lease on a unit within Accrington Market hall proudly situated next to Clean & Green Recovery. The unit is to create and provide arst working space. Anarchy Art was the first enterprise to move in and now joining him are iTog Photography who will be ulising the unit to create a range of who will be ulising the unit to create a range of merchandising using their collecons of images to produce magnets, key rings, mugs, jigsaws and all manner of photographic merchandise.

Another innovave project I am involved in se ng up with the help of Inspire’s South Asian Recovery Champion and in partnership with Brierfield acon in the Community is “Ehsaas” project. Project Ehsaas (meaning “feeling” of hope in Urdu) will be a community café seeking to engage with the local South Asian Community and delivering all manner of groups, educaon & training programs, health intervenons, advice, guidance and family support.

iTog Photography group connue to meet weekly with a trip somewhere every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month with somewhere every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month with pick-ups across the Inspire sites. Recently the group visited Fleetwood Ship Wrecks and captured some stunning images. Before Xmas the group created a calendar which displayed 13 collages consisng of various images from iTog trips, compe ons and iamges our members have shared via our Facebook group. These calendars are on sale and available at £5 each. All monies go back into iTog. We are now in discussions with a local Veterans group to do a project for the Centenary of go back into iTog. We are now in discussions with a local Veterans group to do a project for the Centenary of the start of WW1.

If you are interested in any of the menoned iniaves or would like to set something up within East Lancs then please feel free to contact myself Kerry Stewart 07788 317838 or my colleague from Red Rose Recovery Jane Riley 07885 557699.

The Brierfield Acon in Community Centre amid renovaon

East BRiC Co-ordinatorKerry Stewart



The shed at the back of the greenhouse needs a good clear out and new shelving put up; we can do this once the beds are prepared. We are hoping the wasp nest from last year doesn’t return. In the summer months we are hoping to have another bbq as these were really successful last year but our priority is the need for volunteers. There are small jobs and big jobs so for volunteers. There are small jobs and big jobs so anyone who is willing can come along and get involved. Just make sure you bring your wellies and wrap up warm!

We have plans to have a variety of veg planted this year and have learnt a lot from last year’s crop as to what is successful and what isn’t. The plot will be rotated so that veg that was planted in one area won’t be repeated as each veg takes something from the as each veg takes something from the soil and it allows the ground to recover and also ensures good crops. The new greenhouse we had built last year will be a great asset to us this year for new seedlings and of course tomatoes. We are hoping again to link in with the Wildlife Trust and run accredited Wildlife Trust and run accredited training courses.

The plot could really do with a fence pu ng uparound it so we are hoping to start this once the weather starts improving. We will do this with some wood we have salvaged here and there to keep the cost down. We found ourselves rummaging through many a skip last year, you can’t be proud in this game!

We have plans this year to link in again with the recovery café in Preston to provide produce for fresh soup and also the Tan House in Skem. We are also hoping to make jams and chutneys again this year with the produce from the plot but this will be later on in the year.

by Tina Motley

The allotment at present is looking much unloved and is in desperate need of volunteers, our allocated day to go down is a Wednesday 10am – 4pm but the allotment is able to be accessed outside these mes so if anyone is interested to get involved I would love interested to get involved I would love to hear from them. It is cold down there so for anyone planning to join us, I would say wrap up. We will get a fire going and we have brew making facilies and a stove so we are hoping to provide hot soup for the volunteers too but it is very exposed and does get too but it is very exposed and does get cold.

It is the start of another excing new year with our Recovery allotment in Preston. Our main tasks this month are to prepare all the beds ready for planng, our first potatoes can go in at the beginning of March. If I can get hold of some well-roed compost this month I will put this on the beds but this needs to be done within the next week or so. It has been a very wet winter but prey frost free so most of the winter veg has survived and is sll being picked as needed. The trough we dug out last year seems to have helped with the drainage problem we had on the lower level of the plot. level of the plot.

North Locality WorkerAlison Kershaw



Anyone from the North who is wanng to get involved please don’t hesitate to contact me on 07535891647 or e mail me on [email protected]

Hi everyone, my name is Alison Kershaw I am the new North Locality Worker for Red Rose Recovery. I am based within the CVS in Lancaster however I cover a vast area of the North, which includes Morecambe, Fleetwood, Kirkham, St. Annes and just recently made connecons in Garstang. Through connecng and linking in with other agencies and organisaons I have met some inspiring, passionate individuals who all have the same some inspiring, passionate individuals who all have the same goal and vision which is RECOVERY. I have been inspired by people’s enthusiasm, commitment and tenacity when it comes to wanng to get involved and connect with their community, so that they feel able to give something back. I have been privileged to listen to people’s personal stories and how they have overcome their addicon and now have a new lease of life; it’s amazing and I feel honoured to be part of that.

Alongside Gary Byrne the BRIC worker for the North, we are hoping to fetch some excing new projects to the Alongside Gary Byrne the BRIC worker for the North, we are hoping to fetch some excing new projects to the North, which will give people opportunies to connect and get involved and to make a difference to their communies. I am looking forward to working alongside everyone who wants to get involved.

There are also a number of drop –in’s that are to be set up very soon in Morecambe and St. Annes, I will inform people when these can be accessed.

Can I also welcome on board the new Lancashire User Forum Chair, Craig Rawlinson, Vice Chair Leigh Swindlehurst and Secretary Bob Bond. I am really excited to be working alongside you all. I am confident that the people from the North are going to have a fantasc year, and together we are going to tackle the sgma relang people from the North are going to have a fantasc year, and together we are going to tackle the sgma relang to substance misuse, by building sustainable recovery for Service Users, families and their carers. I look forward to the next few months and if I can help don’t hesitate to ask.



“The Great Decepon - Part 1”

As well as having a successful career in Purchasing and Logiscs over the last 25years,my hobby and passion since the age of 14 had always been music and playing the guitar. Aer losing my licence in April 2012 I had to give up playing lead guitar and gigging with bands. This le a huge void in my life, which we all know is dangerous to anyone in addicon.To stay safe, I had to...

Hi friends. My name is Tony. I have been a service user in the area for 3 years now. My drug of choice had always been alcohol. Although I have never been physically dependant, my regular binge sessions eventually lost me my career, driving licence for a while and caused great illness and upset within my family.

My mental health also suffered, and now, when I look back, My mental health also suffered, and now, when I look back, I don’t recognise the person I was before.Aer fully comming to the service programmes (SMART, CARM,Here and Now etc)my recovery has gone from strength to strength, however I sll connue to aend my meengs so as not to become complacent and to hopefully support and inspire the amazing friends I have met in the services.

My acons in the past were wrong, selfish and destrucve to myself and others. Despite that, we can only My acons in the past were wrong, selfish and destrucve to myself and others. Despite that, we can only move forward on our path in life and I do not believe I would have discovered my gi for art if I had not travelled down the rocky road.

by Tony Bartley

Addicon to Art



... fill this void. About a year ago, I went out and bought some sketching pencils and a sketch pad. I had never studied art at school, but found out that I was quite good at drawing. I then moved onto pastels and charcoal, then watercolours, and for the last 3 months I have been painng in acrylics.I was spurred on by winning a prize at the Red Rose Recovery Art Awards last year aer subming a pastel piece I had done very early in my learning. In short, since then I have worked hard learning painng techniques, studying the great masters and praccing almost every day. To me it is not work, it is a pleasure and a passion.

Thanks to the help and support of the amazing team at Red Rose Recovery, I recently secured BRIC funding for Thanks to the help and support of the amazing team at Red Rose Recovery, I recently secured BRIC funding for my own studio to work from on Worden Park in Leyland. I have now gone self employed selling my art, however this studio will soon be a venue where anyone who is absnent and in recovery can come along experience the therapy and enjoyment art can bring. I will be holding these sessions voluntarily and more details of this will be announced shortly.

In recovery I found that stopping using is easier than staying stopped. We need to change our lifestyles in recovery and not just carry on as we did when we were using. Art fills the void for me, it has changed my life, shown me a new way of seeing and made my family and friends proud again.It is within us all and there to be shown me a new way of seeing and made my family and friends proud again.It is within us all and there to be developed.I look forward to seeing you soon at the studio on the park. Much Love. Tony

To get in touch Tony about his studio or work call 07751 547689 or check out Bartleyart on Facebook.

“The Reader”

Addicon to Art... Connued



Happy New Year y’all! Always good to hit the 1st January sll feeling shiny and clean. Over in the East we’ve had the pleasure of hosng the County LUF, and I’ve got to echo those comments I’ve heard about it being the best one yet! On a personal level it was too, as I had the honour of receiving the locality award for Community, which was humbly received, along with a LUF/RRR T Shirt that reminded me a diet was in order!

The year generally begins slowly here at Juice….the cupboards are bare, the coffers are empty, and we’re faced with a blank sheet of paper to fill.and we’re faced with a blank sheet of paper to fill.

So! What beer way to start January than offer free exercise, free dieng ps and the chance to raise some money for a few acvies further down the line.

We’re springing our way to daffodil season with a Zumba/Sponsored Slim event which is running for 8 weeks from 18th January – all details are on our Facebook page, so if you’re not a member, get online and send us a ‘join’ request. Collecvely, we’re hoping to shed about 10 stone and raise around £200. We are hoping to hold a Celebraon Music Night at the Pavilion Café in Queens Park towards the end of March to reward all those who took part.Park towards the end of March to reward all those who took part.

We’ve currently got BRIC Funding bids in which should inform us how our year might progress. We will be upping the ante with the Juice Tent and are hoping to aend around 20 events from March to September, spreading our posive message of long term sustainability through visible recovery. We’re all proud to be walking, talking examples and like to get that across to the wider general public. We are hoping to get funding to train our own Events Coordinator, who could then go on to run the County-wide LUF Events and, potenally study a degree in Events Management come September. Management come September.

We are also hoping to extend our acvies in Colne and surrounding area too, which would take our message right out to the Yorkshire border. One of the projects we’re hoping to run from there will be the Samba Batucada Drum and Dance Band which seems to have captured a lot of people’s imaginaon, and would become an integral part of our Juice Tent roadshow.Every last Friday in the month we will be having an Open Night for family and friends, parcularly children, to give those Mums and Dads a chance to get out on those dark winter nights. We will have use of the mini bus and will be bringing along members from the Recovery House in Waterfoot have use of the mini bus and will be bringing along members from the Recovery House in Waterfoot to help them make any necessary connecons that will give them the support they need once they embark on their more independent journeys.

Hopefully we’ll get the chance of the mini bus one Saturday and go and link up with our Friends in the North at ‘The Well’. Hoping to see you all around the ‘circuit’ soon - Adrian (Chair)

JUICY NEWS



by Jackie Sco

I see recovery as a process of mistakes, forgiveness, love, and understanding and le ng go of things that you cannot change. It resonated with me because I released that when I le treatment service there was never anyone around that could quite understand me. Luckily I found the programme that suited me, but then I began to think of the individual and their pathway I realised that my route to recovery would not be suitable to everyone. I wondered what else was available.

At the same me I began working at Inspire as a volunteer and could see service users (I much prefer the name clients) coming in and out like a revolving door. name clients) coming in and out like a revolving door. I looked at my own journey and saw my weakest moments were mes when I felt I could not ask for help because of my own insecuries. Recovery is about changes in lifestyle, recovery programmes, and supported accommodaon this is a lot to deal with if not supported or given guidance which is why so many relapse. which is why so many relapse.

This can be very difficult at mes which is why Recovery Coaching appealed to me; along with supporng my own recovery I saw a way of helping other people through a non-convenonal programme.

The Recovery Coaches are an expert in the field of recovery through both personal experience and rigorous training. It is their aim to bridge the gap between addicon and recovery by supporng individuals as they idenfy a need to change their current lifestyle and behaviours and providing structured guidance through idenfy a need to change their current lifestyle and behaviours and providing structured guidance through the many different approaches and strategies available to aid personal recovery. The Recovery Coaches will work with individuals to create their own pathway to recovery, idenfying personal strengths and ...

©2005-2014 SunnyDream

Hi my name is Jackie I am a Recovery Coach, working within Red Rose Recovery Lancashire. I’ve come a long way in my own recovery and when Mags asked me to write a piece for the Affinity Magazine I considered it an honour to say the least. The single most perfect thing that I can do for someone is to share my own experience. Giving them strength and hope and the feeling that they can do it too. I feel when I do this I do it for myself and for whoever is reading this column - it’s the therapeuc value you get from sharing one’s thoughts with one to another.

It’s difficult to write about Recovery Coaching without saying why it has had such an impact with me. When I began my journey (‘cause that’s how I see it), I was nervous and scared when I le treatment but excited at the same me, at the prospect of life without substance, that I needed to grow up and fast.

by Jackie ScoRecovery Coaching

Photograph by Carlean Gall



by Jackie Sco

The first group to complete the Recovery Coaching course! The team is now building

capacity up to about 30 with a new course being planned up in the North.

The second group!

... areas for support, developing personal interests and opportunies for community involvement and recognising accomplishments and successes along the way, in order to help sustain long term successful recovery.

A Recovery Coach will contract to see an individual for 1 x weekly sessions over a period of between 6-12 weeks.

The Recovery Coach cannot make recovery happen for another, but can provide hope, share first-hand experience and introduce the individual to others who have already taken a similar journey and now maintain their own successful recovery.their own successful recovery.

Finally a Recovery Coach must be able to sustain his or her own recovery.

If anyone is interested in learning more about Recovery Coaches or feel you could benefit from their experience. Please send an email to [email protected]

by Jackie ScoRecovery Coaching


21 | Affinity Newsletter • Issue 004 - March 2013

affinity magazine - february 2014

Documents

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