An inspiring event designed to celebrate the achievements of people recovering from drug and alcohol addictions has taken place in Gloucestershire.
Almost 140 people attended the Abbeycare Recovery Gathering at the Hatherley Manor hotel near Twigworth on Sunday. The annual event was organised and hosted by Abbeycare Gloucester, which runs a residential drug and alcohol addiction recovery clinic in nearby Minsterworth.
All previous and existing clients of Abbeycare were invited to take part, giving them a chance to share their experiences of their ongoing recovery journeys, reconnect with those who supported them at their lowest points, and celebrate their own achievements. Held at the end of National Recovery Month, the event involved Abbeycare staff members – many of whom are in recovery themselves – and other industry professionals.
The key idea behind the Recovery Gathering is to bring together Abbeycare’s growing community of existing and former clients and their families, making the process of recovery more visible. Highlights included a keynote speech from Kirsty Day, director of recovery at The Nelson Trust, on her experiences of transforming lives affected by addiction.
There were also moving contributions from former Abbeycare clients, recognition of staff milestones, and insights from those taking part in its peer mentoring programme. One of those attending was Jess Fry, who is in recovery from alcoholism and now mentors other people going through similar experiences. The mayor of Tewkesbury Borough, Kashan Pervaiz, also attended the event and presented Abbeycare staff with recovery milestone achievements and other awards.
‘Our annual Recovery Gathering is always such a special event, and it was a privilege to listen to some of the inspiring contributions from people who have turned their lives around, having once been in the grip of addiction,’ said Laura Morris, registered manager at Abbeycare Gloucester. ‘It’s extremely important that we celebrate the achievements of those in recovery, as it demonstrates to those who are struggling right now that reaching this point and creating a new future is possible.
‘Coming at the end of National Recovery Month, the event also acts as a reunion for Abbeycare’s growing community, connecting current clients with former ones and letting everyone support each other.
‘Given the worryingly high levels of drug and alcohol-related harm across the UK, it’s vital that we come together and celebrate those who do recover, as well as taking time to remember those who we have lost.’
DDN magazine is a free publication self-funded through advertising.
We are proud to work in partnership with many of the leading charities and treatment providers in the sector.
This content was created by Abbeycare