September is Recovery Month; a month-long celebration of recovery from substance use. During this month, Sheffield organisations, services and community groups joined together to share stories of recovery, create connection and challenge stigma that surrounds substance use.
Earlier this month, the Changing Futures team held a Changing Futures Recovery Month Event. They shared information about our Co-Production and Peer Support Services and the important role co-production plays in supporting people’s recovery. Most importantly, the Lived Experience Associates shared their stories of recovery though storytelling and poetry.
Edd, a Lived Experience Associate shared his thoughts from the day:
“The event was well attended by staff, service users and representatives of similar services throughout Sheffield. It was well catered for in excellent rooms.
After a few short intros the co-production team shared information about what co-production is and some of the work of Changing Futures. Then the Lived Experience part of the event was underway with people sharing their past experiences and journeys to where they are today. The talks were harrowing, moving and inspiring. The poetry by a couple of speakers was also well received. At least three of the participants were speaking publicly about their story for the first time and I commend their courage and generosity in sharing the experiences which I felt was a productive way of demystifying and destigmatising addictions.
After the event I saw people seek out the speakers to congratulate and thank them. The entire event was positive and uplifting and an opportunity to gather with like-minded people with a common cause. I feel that those who shared their experiences did so to hopefully help others in recovery have more of a voice, showing that recovery, from no matter where or what, is achievable.”
