People Make Recovery event a huge success

Glasgow’s largest citywide recovery event, People Make Recovery, was a huge success.

Recovery Month is the annual international campaign to celebrate the achievements of individuals in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, raise awareness and promote services supporting people in recovery. As part of the celebrations, Glasgow City hosted its biggest ever city-wide event, People Make Recovery.

The free event brought together more than 500 individuals, community members, families and services from across the city who are working hard to help break the stigma surrounding addiction and promote Glasgow as an inclusive city where people are free to recover without judgment.

Organised by the Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP), Freed Up and other key partner organisations, the day was uplifting and celebratory.

The event catered to everyone with entertainment spanning live music, film screenings and inflatable games to support offering holistic therapies, a resource fair and the sharing of personal recovery stories.

Pat Togher, Chief Officer of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) said: “The event was a fantastic showcase of the positive work going on in and around communities and focussed on moving forward positively whilst equally recognising the scale of complexity involved. People do recover and we should recognise and celebrate their achievement.”

Irene Louden, Chair of Glasgow City ADP’s Recovery subgroup, said: 
“The Glasgow City ADP Recovery Subgroup members worked together to plan and deliver the People Make Recovery event on 20 September. I’d like to extend my ‘thanks’ to all people and organisations who participated in the planning and volunteered at the event.

“We were thrilled by the turnout and the enthusiasm of everyone who participated. The free family friendly event featured a variety of activities, including recovery workshops, creative arts sessions and peer support group discussions. These were all designed to highlight the diverse range of recovery support and interventions available to Glasgow citizens and their families. Our aim was to ensure that everyone could see the breadth of support on offer and feel welcomed into our community.

“It was wonderful to see so much energy and positivity throughout the day. One particular comment that stood out to me was, "I didn't expect everyone to be so happy” - a poignant reminder of the power of community, especially during times when many people experience significant difficulties and stigma. Personally, it was uplifting to witness so many people come together in support of recovery. We look forward to welcoming more people at our next gathering.”

Gillian Reilly, Interim Head of Service, Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services (GADRS), said: “We were delighted to see so many people taking part in this citywide recovery event. It is so important that we celebrate the achievements of people in recovery and continue to share key information about services and support available across the city. We hope everyone who attended enjoyed the day and we’d like to thank Freed Up and so many of our partnership organisations for making the event possible.”

There are 35 organisations represented on the Glasgow City ADP Recovery Subgroup. Key partners include Freed Up, With You, Crossreach, SISCO, Turning Point Scotland and Glasgow’s Recovery Communities.