City of York Council is leading by example to support more people on their journey to recovery from addiction.
City of York Council is leading by example to support more people on their journey to recovery from addiction.
The council is actively working with a number of recovery organisations in York to bring a city centre recovery hub to life, as well as making steps towards becoming a champion for York as an Inclusive Recovery City, tackling stigma and discrimination against people with addictions and celebrating their recovery by making it visible.
Drugs and alcohol continue to present major issues for health and wellbeing in York. They lead to early illness and death, and in fact are the two leading causes of death in York for those between the ages of 15 and 49.
They give rise to thousands of hospital admissions a year, worsen or lead to the onset of mental health conditions, and precipitate a large range of consequent physical health issues
They also present a city issue, and interact considerably with significant issues around housing, criminal justice, community cohesion, employment and safety, holding people back from living thriving and empowered lives.
Nationally, the approach to supporting people with drug and alcohol issues has developed significantly over the last decades, from a sole emphasis on treatment and clinical services, such as substitution therapy, to a much greater focus on recovery.
The council wants to strengthen York’s community recovery model, to further these aims and improve the lives of people affected by addictions in York.
Whilst there has been and continues to be various activities taking place around recovery in the city, they have never had a home to develop and grow.
The hub, based on Wellington Row, will make it easier for people with substance use disorders to seek help. This is set to be endorsed by the council’s Executive when they’re asked to support a new contract at a public meeting on 15 July, to award York in Recovery CIC to lease and manage the Community Recovery Hub.
Cllr Lucy Steels- Walshaw, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said “The recovery hub is providing a recovery-oriented facility to those residents who need this type of specialist support, in the heart of York. Endorsement of the Inclusive Recovery Cities initiative shows a strong council commitment to making recovery accessible and sustainable for more people, while sending a strong signal that those in recovery in our city have the right support behind them on their journey.”
These community connections have been going for many years, with pop-up cafes, meetings, activities, support and social events happening most days of the week.
Organisations including SMART UK, Alcoholic Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, York in Recovery, Lived Insights, as well as charities such as Chocolate & Co and the treatment providers Change Grow Live and Emerging Futures, facilitate a vibrant recovery community in York involving many thousands of people.
A pilot of how a Community Recovery Hub could work took place 18 months ago, and the opportunity has now come to The Hub, Wellington Row, which is owned by the council, as a more permanent base for this work
Mark Green from York in Recovery said: “At York In Recovery, we know from lived experience that stigma is one of the greatest barriers preventing people from reaching out for the help they need when struggling with substance use. Stigma isolates people, delays access to support and too often costs lives.
“Recovery from addiction can be as lonely as when in addiction, we can all play our part in changing that narrative because recovery is real and when the right help support, and compassion are offered at the right time, people not only survive – they thrive.
“The Recovery Hub will be a place for recovery curious individuals as much as for those who are already in the recovery community, it will be a beacon of hope to many and will support the work underway with the Inclusive Recovery Cities initiative.
“York In Recovery are excited about the future and what will grow from the Recovery Hub.”
Supporting the hub is one step towards supporting people’s journey in recover by the council wants to take this a step further.
York wants to follow in the footsteps of other countries including America, Australia and New Zealand who have all championed the ‘inclusive recovery cities movement.’ Closer to home Middlesbrough – became the first official Inclusive Recovery City in 2024.
Championed by Professor David Best, the movement makes recovery visible, giving hope to those currently experiencing substance use problems and providing ongoing support to those who are in recovery from substance use disorders
It challenges the stigma which can stop people coming forward for help, contributing to further harm, including as serious as death, for those with substance use disorders. It champions multiple pathways to recovery from substance use disorders and recognises that through doing this, the whole city will benefit.
The Executive will be asked to express the council’s commitment to the Inclusive Recovery Cities approach and York’s Inclusive Recovery City Vision statement.