The idea of a Blog page is that we will regularly be posting a wide variety of different content. The page will not only contain posts related to our Recovery Voices interviews, but also include key information about addiction, recovery and treatment, latest happenings within the recovery communities with which we are collaborating, and relevant news and information from the wider world. We also hope to have contributions from guest bloggers from time-to-time.
20th May 2025
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...
19th May 2025
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...
18th May 2025
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.
17th May 2025
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...
16th May 2025
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...
15th May 2025
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...
14th May 2025
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...
13th May 2025
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...
12th May 2025
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...
11th May 2025
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...
10th May 2025
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...
9th May 2025
James recognises the social costs of addiction and feels strongly that people recovering from addiction need to give back to society. If NWRC members help others, they will help themselves by enhancing their self-esteem, self-worth and self-efficacy. They will also help tackle...
8th May 2025
... [James] can see NWRC developing in various stages over time, one of which began in 2017 when he was able to say to Wulf Livingston, who was acting as an external supervisor for him, that ‘We now have eight or nine people in recovery in the house, and I think that there is now enough recovery for it to be self-sustainable.’
7th May 2025
James set about developing the NWRC Recovery Programme within Penrhyn House, attended by both residents and outside community members, with the aim of creating as many elements as possible that facilitate recovery. Pat Kyle helped James set up weekly AA...
6th May 2025
'It still seems like yesterday that I walked through the doors on my first day feeling a little lost and very unsure of myself. At no point did I ever think I would work alongside the power house Noreen Oliver and I most certainly didn’t see myself running the organisation... '