Event to mark awareness of National Recovery Month

People who have recovered from drug addiction, as well as organisations and practioners working in drug recovery, are invited to come along to an event set up to mark National Recovery Month.

The Dear Albert screening event, supported by Shropshire Drug & Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) and organised by SURF Shropshire (The Service User Recovery Forum), is on Monday 26 September 2016 from 10am to 2pm at The Hive in Shrewsbury.

This is an opportunity to see a screening of “Dear Albert”, a critically-acclaimed feature documentary about recovery from addiction. The film follows the life and work of former addict Jon Roberts, now a recovery consultant, over a period of three years, charting the recovery journeys of those he works with. The documentary provides a candid insight into the life of an addict and the challenges to recovery.

The screening will be followed by a Question and Answer session from Jon Roberts, who will also run a recovery workshop.

September 2016 marks the national Recovery Month campaign, which celebrates those individuals who have reclaimed their lives from drugs and alcohol dependence. It is also a month of hope for those still struggling with addiction by seeing people who are living proof that recovery is possible.

Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, and Chair of Shropshire’s Health and Well-being Board, said:

“I am really pleased that we have been able to support SURF Shropshire in setting up this event.

“We know the journey from addiction to recovery is extremely challenging and that it takes time, patience and support. The “Dear Albert” screening illustrates this journey.  The event will also provide what a great opportunity for individuals, organisations and practioners to share experiences, advice and information.

“I strongly encourage people to come along to the event.”

SURF are a group made up of individuals with personal experience of addiction, recovery and use of Shropshire drug and alcohol services. The aim of the group is to mutually support individuals in their recovery journey, and to independently monitor, interact and support service providers in the interests of service users in general as well as the general community.

The group also aims to raise awareness of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction in Shropshire, and challenge the stereotypes and stigma associated with addiction.

For further information about the event email sugsgroup@gmail.com.

To find out more about SURF Shropshire visit their website at http://surfshropshire.wixsite.com/surf. 

You can also follow SURF Shropshire on twitter @SurfShropshire.