The Mayor of Preston visited Community Roots on 26 October to welcome their newest partnership with the Breakthrough Recovery Chorley Group.
Breakthrough Recovery Chorley Group is an addiction support group and since its launch 18 months ago has already seen over 1,000 people seek their help. The group is run and owned by Steve Downie.
Following his own battles and long term struggles with alcohol addiction Steve was inspired to start his own support group.
Steve explains:
“I have my own personal experiences of alcohol addiction and have spent time in rehab and several different residential programmes over the years. My addition became so bad that I have previously attempted suicide three times and I know what a lonely place addiction is.
After my last rehab stay I soon returned back to my old behaviour patterns, but I knew something had to change. I moved to Chorley and began to look into gaining some qualifications so I could use my own experiences to help others struggling with their own addictive behaviours. I began volunteering with other groups but after gaining my qualifications I launched my own group 18 months ago and I’ve honestly never looked back.
My own experiences allow me to help others on their addiction recovery journeys”
Breakthrough Recovery Group will continue to run sessions from Chorley Football Club but are delighted to announce their newest group which will run from Community Roots.
The Community Roots team is part of our Trust.
The team work across Lancashire and South Cumbria connecting experts by profession with experts by experience to bring a wide range of health, wellbeing and social support through learning opportunities. The focus is a little different to traditional models of health care, focussing on preventing ill health, life beyond services and connecting people to a wide variety of opportunities and support in their local community.
The sessions will run every Thursday at Deepdale from 3.15pm and last an hour and a half. There is no need to preregister for the sessions, all that is required is a willingness to change and an open mind. Each session will start with introductions, include open and honest conversations and will include hints, tips and coping strategies on how to manage your behaviours in normal life. Attendees are welcome to attend as many sessions as they feel beneficial, there is no set pathway as each addiction story is individual and personal.
The group isn’t just for alcohol addiction, but any addiction, this may include drugs, gambling, adult material, gaming, risky behaviours, eating or shopping.
Addiction is defined as a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to engage in a behaviour that produces natural reward, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences.
Shaun Everitt, Project Coordinator at Community Roots added:
“We are delighted to welcome Steve and his group to Community Roots. Our ethos centres around peer lived experience and from my first meeting with Steve I knew this group would enhance our offering here at Community Roots.
I’m really excited to watch the group grow and see the positive impact this is going to have on our local communities.”
Attendees to the group also have the option to join an online support group which can be accessed through WhatsApp for further support and opportunities to socialise and connect with likeminded people.
On his visit the Mayor of Preston, Yakub Patel spoke with attendees and commented:
“I’m thrilled to see this group launch in Preston, this group brings a strong sense of community and that is really important to me. Whatever addiction you may be struggling with you will receive a warm welcome from the group and will leave feeling better equipped to manage. Preston is a place where everyone matters so having support systems is vital.
Steve’s personal story is very inspiring so I know he can inspire others to make similar changes to their behaviours for the better.”
Steve’s dedication to improve addiction services has seen him working on an exciting research project with Lancaster University and Public Health England to look further into improving treatment pathways for alcohol disorders. The 18 month study programme is titled, improving treatment pathways and outcomes for people with co-occurring mental health problems and alcohol use disorders. The project aims to set up public and stakeholder groups to work together to develop clinical and service user recommendations focussing on how alcohol and mental health services can be more joined up to suggest the best treatment options.
Further information about Breakthrough Recovery Chorley Group can be found by joining their Facebook group or emailing Steve direct at sdownie618@gmail.com.
