Drug and alcohol recovery walk

NHS alcohol and drug workers, volunteers and service users taking part in a national recovery walk

Service users and volunteers took part in a national walk to celebrate their recovery journey and raise awareness of the support available for people dealing with addiction.

They were joined by members of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Drug and Alcohol Services from Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport and Tameside at the event in Manchester City Centre.

There were inspirational stories of recovery and live music at the start of the event, held as part of national Recovery Month, before several thousand people joined the walk through the streets.

Liz McCoy, Pennine Care’, said the atmosphere at the event had been incredible.

She said: “Our staff were proud to have been a part of such an important awareness-raising event and it was wonderful to hear so many positive stories.

“We hope events like this will help people dealing with substance misuse to come forward and seek support so we can help them start their journey towards recovery.”

The walk also helps to spread the message that prevention is essential, treatment is effective and that millions of people have recovered from substance misuse with the right support.

The walk also aims to challenge the stigma around addiction as part of a programme of continuing education.