New programme helps local people kickstart a substance-free future

Jefferson Brennan, service user; Merissa Washington, Head of Service, Pathways; David Milner, service user; David Taylor, service user; Carolyn Brennan, Contracting and Service Development Manager for Specialist Services Division, Pennine Care; Gary Ryan, service user; Gina Smallwood, Recovery Support Worker, Pathways; Paul Shaw, service user; Steven Shaw, service user.

A group of six service users from Rochdale’s alcohol and drug service, have become the first to successfully complete a new recovery programme – which is the first of its kind in the borough.

Known as Kickstart, the programme aims to support people through their recovery journey by focusing on ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ – which are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Learning and Give. This evidence-based approach encourages people to undertake these simple actions every day to improve their overall wellbeing.

Rochdale’s alcohol and drug service, known as Pathways, is run by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, The Big Life group and Sanctuary Trust.

Kickstart has been developed and is run by current and ex-service users and carers, who were recruited as part of Pennine Care’s ‘pathways to employment scheme’.

During the 12-week programme, the group met on a weekly basis to complete a programme which is designed to sow the seeds of recovery to service users who had not previously considered recovery or abstinence options.

The programme focuses on the person and their individual journey into recovery. It encourages clients to discover and develop their own skills and talents, which will support them to become an independent, responsible and contributing member of the community.

The graduates’ success was celebrated at a special event, where they were presented with a certificate by Carolyn Brennan, Contracting and Service Development Manager, and enjoyed a lunch. During the event, the graduates took part in a workshop session to discuss their success, experiences and how the programme can be further developed, improved and linked into the local Recovery and Reintegration Service.

Carolyn said: “I’m really pleased that the inaugural Kickstart programme has been successful. The feedback from the graduates has been very positive and we’re working to improve it even further for the next group of service users.”