Posted on Friday 30th June 2023
A sports, music and arts festival for people recovering from addiction and their families has been hailed as a resounding success by organisers.
The inaugural Staffordshire Recoverfest was held at Stafford Rugby Club on June 25, hosting a range of fun activities, performances, stalls and food and drink.
With over 400 people attending in fine weather, the organising team said it exceeded expectations.
The day was organised by two organisations run by people in drug or alcohol recovery to support peers – Chase Recovery and Better Way Recovery and supported by the Burton Addiction Centre, Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Service and Staffordshire County Council.
Around £700 was raised for the charities Women’s Aid and Andy’s Man Club.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for health and care Julia Jessel said:
With the continued support of family, friends and professional organisations, people can beat addiction – Recoverfest was a celebration of that.
It enabled people with shared experiences to come together in a relaxed and fun way, enjoying the activities and performances in good company.
Creating connection between people is a huge part of recovery from drug or alcohol problems. To see so many people having a good time and raising money for charity was a wonderful experience for all involved.
We hope that the event also sends a message to people still struggling with addiction that there is a community of people in Staffordshire who have been on that journey, are now living much happier lives and are available to support others.”
Anyone wanting more information about treatment services and recovery communities can contact:
CHASE Recovery – HOPE – FREEDOM – PURPOSE
Better Way Recovery ~ Lichfield ~ Addiction Support Service
BAC O'Connor (bacandoconnor.co.uk)
Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Service – STARS – Humankind (humankindcharity.org.uk)