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I had made it out of my addiction bubble into a bigger bubble full of other people. Penrhyn offered freedom to be myself without being judged or questioned. It also gave my kids support and hope. They learnt about addiction and recovery. They knew that I was safe at Penrhyn, and they knew I was getting better.

Participants began to feel safe to share experiences and described that hearing similar experiences from others in the group was extremely normalising and de-stigmatising. This supported an ongoing sense of connection and identification with members of the group and led to...

On the mountains, all his senses seemed to open up. He was on a spiritual journey with the 12-Steps, but now he started another such journey. In January 2024, Rob launched Sober Snowdonia, a walking group to help people recovering from addiction and other problems.

James Deakin has organised an ‘Evening with David Clark’ on Friday evening at Bwyd Da Bangor. Tasty canapés are provided prior to my first talk, which is focused on addiction recovery and My Journey From Brain Chemicals to Human Connection, to an audience of around 30...

NWRC gave me the freedom to look to the future in a secure environment while also assisting me in self-discovery, self-improvement, and acceptance of my past. I was given the opportunity to make mistakes, which helped me learn responsibility and accountability, and gave me a chance to discover and maintain my...

Bwyd Da developed a strong reputation for serving tasty, healthy and affordable meals. It acted as a platform for marginalised groups, hosting weekly mutual aid (AA, NA, CA) and dementia group meetings, informal gatherings for those with a gambling problem, and an adult autism club. Periodic music evenings took place, as well as...

Recovery is a wonderful way of living. It has presented challenges and moments requiring difficult decisions, but I am as grateful for these experiences as I am for the successes. I firmly believe that recovery success comes through perpetual growth in the right direction—a commitment I strive to uphold daily.

Growing for Change aims to: (1) change the local food economy so that nutritious, organic produce is grown and made available locally, at affordable prices, and (2) help create positive change in the lives of people who have experienced substance use or mental health problems, and (3) challenge the stigma that is experienced by...

I was filled with fear when I entered Penrhyn. I met Saffron Roberts (Saff) and she told me her story. I thought: ‘Hang on a minute, she used to be just like me. Look at the smile on her face, and the way she’s carrying herself and talking.’ I thought I’d try this recovery thing...

Weekly food boxes were supplied containing three microwaveable meals, and various other items so that families could prepare meals. The team was cooking, packing and delivering, generally for six deliveries per day. One of the highlights for the delivery team was...

People who Sarah [Flynn] sees are clearly engaged in the programme from the very first session. ‘The whole MOIMR course and sessions are just so beautifully done, and that is why people keep coming back… and back. Many also want to be MOIMR facilitators.’ NWRC plays an important role in facilitating the roll out of MOIMR across...

In September 2021, Lucke Gabriel, along with his colleagues Marcus Fair (Founder of Eternal Media) and Sam Rowlands filmed NWRC’s 100-mile walk around Anglesey. The walk took place over seven days around the island of Anglesey, located in the north-west of Wales...

Gaining a sense of belonging played a major role in the early stages of my recovery journey. A real game changer for me was the NA programme and the Step work I’ve done. Making my amends to members of my family...

James [Deakin] makes no apologies to Penrhyn residents about the toughness of their challenge. When they return to Penryhn House, he tells them that the expeditions are designed to help them find out about themselves. They are deliberately designed to be hard work...

The story of North Wales Recovery Communities (NWRC) cannot be told without mentioning their association with Eternal Media, the recovery community based in a former nuclear-fallout shelter, The Bunker, on the outskirts of Wrexham. Eternal Media was founded by Marcus Fair, who survived a 25 year addiction to heroin and crack...