Festival returns to Hartlepool to celebrate recovery from addiction

The Hartlepool Recovery Festival returns to Hartlepool organised this year by Start, Hartlepool Borough Council’s drug and alcohol support service and Recovery Connections, a lived experience recovery organisation.

The festival is designed to tackle stigma and raise awareness of the drug and alcohol support service in Hartlepool. The Hartlepool Recovery Festival also gives a platform for people to speak about their recovery stories and inform the public about the personal and wider impacts of drug and alcohol use, as well as remind everyone why it’s so important to make recovery visible."

Councillor Brenda Harrison, Chair of the Hartlepool Health and Wellbeing Board and Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “The Hartlepool Recovery Festival is an opportunity to connect and listen to one another. We all know stories of family members, friends, friends of friends, neighbours, old school friends and work colleagues who have suffered. Yet despite this, when addiction touches people in a directly personal way, they often find it difficult, almost impossible at times, to find ways to talk about their experiences of recovery and treatment.

We know that those battling addiction go through very challenging times, as do those who know and love them. Start wants to help them find a way forward, so that they are able to cope with and manage their experiences. The festival is a fantastic initiative that aims to bring people together to chat, open up dialogue and provide them with support in a friendly environment. I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved.”

One of the highlights of the month will be the ‘Art in Recovery’ exhibition at Hartlepool Art Gallery in Church Street Square which will feature work from artist in focus Sophie Bodley all throughout the month of September, which explores the emotions felt whilst in active recovery. Sophie herself has been in recovery for 10 months, having completed 7 months of rehab.

Sophie said: “My art in this exhibition is an exploration of the emotions felt whilst in active addiction – sadness, anger, fear.

I’ve always loved art but got back into it last year whilst in active addiction. I’m now nearly ten months into recovery having completed seven months in rehab and haven’t stopped doing art. Those classes made me realise that I could still achieve good things after losing my job.”

Other events taking place as part of Hartlepool Recovery Festival include for further details please click here:

• The launch of the SMART recovery Friends and Family meetings for Hartlepool. The Friends and Family programme explores how participants can look after themselves better, even in difficult or stressful circumstances. Tuesday 2nd September, 1pm - 3pm.
• A series of women only events starting with The Light Within – A Women’s Candlelight Ceremony where you can reflect and heal together while honouring your journey, release the past and celebrate the quiet power within. Thursday 4th September, 10am - 12pm. 
• A recovery cricket match where you find Team Recovery taking on the Teesside University Collegiate Recovery IX. A match between a team of people recovering from substance use and the collegiate team from Teesside University. Monday 8th September, 10am.
• The launch of the monthly lived experience forum. Come along to our lived experience forum as we discuss recovery alongside people with real experiences.
• Mask and Mirror – Identity and Self Discovery Workshop. The second of our women only events where you’ll explore identity, self-worth and who you’re becoming. Thursday 11th September, 10am - 12.30pm.
• The Things No One Told Me – A Women’s Truth Wall Experience – the third of our women only events where you’ll connect with others through shared experiences and honour your voice without judgement. Write, draw, or share your truths! Thursday 18th September, 3pm - 5pm.
• Football in Recovery – Come along for an afternoon of football as teams from Hartlepool, Sunderland, Darlington, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, and more come together for some friendly competition. Thursday 18th September, 12pm - 4pm.
• Recovery gig where you can come and celebrate National Recovery Month by listening to inspiring speakers talk about recovery followed by a celebration with a live band and DJ. Tuesday 23rd September, 6pm - 10pm.
• Soul Feast – Community Meal and Storytelling – the fourth and final women’s only event offering a shared meal and opportunities to share stories of hope, connection and resilience. Thursday 25th September, 10am, - 12.30pm.

These events are aimed at everybody in recovery or affected by drug and alcohol use in Hartelpool.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the events taking place during National Recovery Month should contact Billy Knight from Start by calling (01429) 285000 or by emailing Billy.knight@hartlepool.gov.uk