DDN Conference 2026 Programme

Emma Murphy

Emma is a dedicated Service Manager at Aquarius, specialising in substance use services for both young people, adults and families.

Along with her colleague Emma Hayley she will be looking at supporting young people transitioning into adult services.

Dr Michael Blackmore

Michael is a GP and addiction recovery advocate whose career has been shaped by both professional experience and personal challenges.

After entering medicine later in life he struggled with substance use during training and early practice, before entering recovery and rebuilding his career.

He now uses that experience to support others and promote greater understanding of addiction within healthcare.

Paul Townsley

Paul brings insight from both frontline and leadership roles, with a focus on evolving services and breaking down barriers so more people can access the support they need.

He has experience right across the health and social care sector, from being a volunteer to his current role as CEO of Waythrough.

George Charlton

George is known for developing innovative, user-led projects that place people with lived and living experience at the heart of practice, with a strong focus on engagement, harm reduction and real-world impact.

Building on powerful lessons from his own lived experience, he has become known as an award-winning trainer and consultant with over 20 years’ experience in addiction support.

Guvna B

Guvna B is an award-winning rapper, author and speaker who uses his platform to explore themes of identity, mental health and addiction.

Drawing on personal experience, he speaks openly about shame and recovery, using storytelling to challenge stigma and encourage honest conversations around addiction, treatment and wellbeing.

Myka Wilshire

Myka specialises in collaborative, co-produced approaches that empower service users and drive sustainable change.

She is project manager for the Hypermasculinity (In Your Corner) project at Change Grow Live, with experience across health, justice and community services.

In this role she leads evidence-informed interventions that address hypermasculinity, improve engagement, reduce risk, and support positive identity development for men in criminal justice settings.

Michelle Heaton

Michelle is best known as a member of Liberty X and an Emmy and BRIT award-winning artist – and has now become a powerful voice in the recovery community.

She speaks openly about the realities of addiction and the work required to stay well. In this special live recording of the Believe in People podcast, she will share her journey through addiction and sustained recovery.

Through honest and grounded conversation, she will reflect on the moments that shaped her recovery, the role of peer support and community, and what it means to rebuild a life beyond addiction.

From navigating motherhood in sobriety to managing the pressures of public life, she offers a candid insight into resilience, responsibility and long-term change, challenging stigma and showing that recovery is possible.