The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, officially opened the new South Community Recovery Network (SCRN) Aftercare Centre in the Gorbals, South Glasgow on Friday 27 April 2018.

The South Community Recovery Network is a partnership of five long-established, peer-led, person centred drug and alcohol recovery initiatives, drop-ins, support groups and cafes throughout the south sector of Glasgow. They have been created and developed by volunteers with lived experience, overcoming many barriers throughout their lives to access routes to recovery from alcohol and drug misuse. They now work towards helping others achieve the same freedom.

Aftercare services are crucial in supporting people to sustain recovery from problematic alcohol consumption and illicit drug use. Services provide a safe and therapeutic environment where people are supported to maintain abstinence from alcohol and drugs and to develop new skills setting them on a path to success and independence.

John Goldie, SCRN Chairman, said “This is one of the first peer-led aftercare centres to be launched nationally that compliments statutory treatment and care services for drug and alcohol misuse.”

Lynn Macdonald, Service Manager, South Alcohol and Drugs Recovery Services (ADRS), Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership said: “The delivery could not have been possible without the support of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership’s Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s Health Improvement Services and Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP).

Support also comes from external partners: Glasgow City Community Planning and Rangers Charity Foundation to compliment the Partnership’s Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services and the South Recovery Hub provided by the Mungo Foundation.”

The First Minister thanked all participants and praised the hard work, dedication and commitment that made the facility possible. She said; “The special thing is that it is delivered by people with lived experience. This service will save lives and transform lives in the community.”

Claire Muirhead, a volunteer at the Centre said:
“The Aftercare Centre is a place for people to come together to sustain and maintain recovery, get support and help to develop skills for employment”.

You can contact the centre on 0141 429 8181 or enquiries@scrn-recovery.co.uk