David Clark

NWRC gave me something I hadn’t experienced before: a sense of belonging. I was surrounded by people who understood, who didn’t judge me. For the first time ever, I felt safe enough to be honest. I told the truth about how I drank, how I felt—all the stuff I had hidden out of fear...

'Knowing the Score is a hard-hitting podcast series developed by Eternal Media in partnership with young people from New Meddwl Ymlaen—Mind Our Future, Wrexham. Created in response to the poor-quality drug education I received in school—a forgettable talk from a middle-aged woman pulling plastic drug models from a fishing tackle box—I wanted to offer...' Marcus Fair

Summaries of 35 blog posts which convey the magic happening at North Wales Recovery Communities, describing how the initiative developed, what it involves, impact on the wider community, and involving a number of recovery stories. Transforming Pain Into Power.

'Ten years ago, James and the NWRC team had an ambitious vision. Since then, they have turned that vision into a reality for many, many people. Long may they continue. Congratulations NWRC...’ Simon Shaw, Former Assistant Chief Constable, North Wales Police

But the key to change, honestly, is that you have a healing environment that’s filled with people who see you. Who make you feel that you belong. Because what they then allow you to do, is that when you are in need of a regulatory interaction where somebody just is present...

They are helping fix a treatment system that has struggled to solve its revolving door issues. They illustrate to society that even those who have been the ‘worst’ can become among the best. And, critically, they provide the space that ultimately enables individuals to ‘stay off’.

I have a brand new life! I am a proper mother again. I have plenty of good friends. I run, I play rugby, I love reading,  I just enjoy my life. I now facilitate the MOIMR group in which I started. I have my job as a carer back, and I would love to become a Mental Health Nurse. That is my aspiration for the future.

I'm happy if I've showed up for people, supported people, and done half the things I set out to do each day. Some people describe the Fellowship as a cult that brainwashes people. I have realised that my brain needed washing of all its bad habits. I now have people who rely on me. I have consistent relationships with friends and family.

Number 10 are the Penrhyn babies. Our NWRC family is growing. People who met at NWRC and pursued their Recovery journeys together have now had children! They are the future. They are feeling the benefit of all the learning that their parents have done the hard way.

The second I walked through the front door I felt genuine love. I think of the place as a shining light in the darkness of my life at that time. I was the first woman to live at Penrhyn and I stayed a year. I like to think of it as my small contribution paving the way for the women who have lived there since.

Bruce also points out that if we want to provide therapeutic, healing interactions, they must be moderate, controllable and predictable interactions. 'Healing takes place when there are dozens of therapeutic interactions available each day for the person to control...'

NWRC is a game changer. Treatment services and other places just did not work for me! NWRC has a range of programmes and I had to do everything for the first three months. My head was flooded with new connections and various modes of recovery. I engaged in the outside...

I started working with a dietician who never focused on my actual eating behaviour. They empowered me to explore my thoughts, feelings and emotions, and eventually change my mindset. I realised that I didn’t need my maladaptive tools. Our sessions had a massive...

'I feel so connected now, something that I have never felt before. These are true friends who don't want anything from me. They are not trying to manipulate me. I have my grandchildren and I want to be the best Nanna in the world. I've got the help that I needed and I have a better understanding of myself.' Nicola

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.