The Hartlepool Recovery Festival is not only an important event for the recovery community, but also marks the beginning of a new journey for Hartlepool’s drug and alcohol treatment service, Start.
Working with the team at Start, Hartlepool Borough Council and local partners, and by listening closely to the experiences of those who have been through treatment, we were able to take a co-created approach to the development of a brand relaunch and awareness campaign for Start.
At the heart of the brand development and awareness campaign has been the needs of the community, and how a service can not only deliver a holistic and inclusive treatment service but also invest in and develop the community support which surrounds it.
The voices and opinions of those who have experienced the journey through treatment and into recovery know better than anyone that the support of local community networks are a lifeline to those creating a new way of life for themselves.
Recovery Month
The Hartlepool Recovery Festival is being organised by Start, Hartlepool’s substance misuse service, and will run throughout September. This major programme of events is to be held in Hartlepool to celebrate National Recovery Month and help break down the stigma surrounding addiction.
Bringing together a range of informal, warm and thoughtfully curated events to raise awareness of Start services and educate and inform people on the personal and communal impacts of addiction and stigma, and the importance of treatment.
The Festival programme has been put together in the wake of 2023 research by The Forward Trust which revealed that 22 million UK adults aged 18-75 have either directly experienced addiction due to dependency on alcohol and drugs or know someone close to them who has.
Despite this number, the stigma that surrounds the condition is stopping or making it very difficult for half of those experiencing their own or other people’s addictions from speaking out, with negative judgement (46%) and shame (39%) cited as top concerns.
The programme will culminate on Monday 30th September with a first ever Reflections of Recovery event, a panel discussion exploring stigma, support and recovery.
Michelle & Emma at the Stigma exhibition – Pictured here in front of a piece by Steven Kennedy. He uses heroin foil as tally marks for his addiction experience.
‘Reflections of Recovery’ Panel Event
The work with the team at Start, Hartlepool Borough Council and partners, will conclude with a panel discussion focusing on “what it means to be in recovery’’ bringing together people with lived experiences and those working in the area of treatment and recovery, to reflect on what recovery means to individuals and those around them.
Aligned with the new strategic direction for Start’s brand, this event will deliver a genuine and heartfelt conversation about substance use recovery and hear from those who understand the power of community in successful recovery journeys.
The event will take place at Hartlepool Borough Council’s Community Hub Central on York Road on Monday 30th September from 5-7pm. Local stakeholders are encouraged to sign up here