Recovery community gets green light

Creative Start have been commissioned to establish the areas first Recovery Community on behalf of the Council and Public Health England.

The community is based on a consultation carried out by Creative Start with people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and with their family members.

The aim of the project is to provide an accessible, safe and honest environment where people can share their experiences and support each other.

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for health, wellbeing and adult social care, said: “This is an innovative approach to the difficult process of recovery from substance addiction.

“The Recovery Community will provide those in recovery with an abstinence based, honest, trusting environment where those involved in the community can be given trust, responsibility and be empowered to make positive choices, as well as helping each other along their recovery journeys.

“The objective is for the recovery community to become self-sustaining, designed and created by members of the community and an integral part of the wider community and the on-going regeneration of Grimsby.

“Better support for people going through recovery helps make our community safer and brings communities together.”

Corinne Harvey, Deputy Director, Health and Wellbeing for PHE Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We are really pleased that funds awarded from our drug and alcohol capital fund are to be put to such good use in Grimsby.

“The innovative Recovery Community will benefit some of the most vulnerable in the town, better meeting the needs of those who need drug and alcohol treatment.

“We look forward to sharing the learning from this pioneering work with partners across the region, who are also working to reduce the harm caused by drugs and alcohol.”

A launch event is planned for later in the year once the community is up and running.

The community is funded by North East Lincolnshire Council and Public Health England.