Archway Recovery began as a vision—something God placed on my heart early in my recovery while I was a resident at North Wales Recovery Communities (NWRC). I remember drawing it all out on paper—a place of healing, of hope, of connection for anyone struggling with addiction. At the time, I didn’t know how it would happen.
That piece of paper sat in a drawer for years, only brought out when we moved or at Christmas. But the vision never left. And when Conor and I returned to our hometown of Rhyl, people began reaching out—friends, family, colleagues—asking for help. That was the moment we knew: it was time to bring the vision to life. Archway Recovery was born from that calling, a calling to serve, support, and save lives.
Before Archway Recovery was ever created, both Conor and I had experienced the depths of addiction firsthand. For many years, we were trapped in a vicious cycle—in and out of services, failed rehab attempts, prescribed medication, distractions, hobbies—anything to try and escape the grip of addiction. But nothing worked. We were caught in what the Big Book calls ‘a hopeless state of mind and body.’ We were desperate, exhausted, and spiritually broken.
Everything changed when we entered NWRC in Bangor. That place didn’t just offer a programme—it offered connection, understanding, and love. For the first time in our lives, we were truly seen and not judged. We were given space to breathe, to stop running, and to begin healing. That loving environment planted the seed of willingness in us—the spark we needed to pursue a different way of life.
It brought about what we now understand as a psychic change—the essential shift in mind, spirit, and heart that lays the foundation for lasting recovery. Without that place, it’s likely neither of us would have made it. And that’s why today, we devote our lives to giving back. What we received—that love, that support, that hope—we now offer to others in our own community.
Recovery is powerful. It’s a ripple effect. One addict helping another. One alcoholic walking alongside another. One gambler supporting someone who’s still stuck. What once felt like a revolving door of hopeless services became a new beginning through NWRC. And now, that ripple is reaching our town.
Through Archway Recovery, we are seeing lives transformed in front of our eyes. People are not only getting well—they are staying well. We’ve seen individuals rebuild families, restore health, regain access to their children, and find purpose in life again. People are stopping—and staying stopped. And that is a miracle. Each Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 PM, we host a walk-in recovery session open to all addictions. Our weekly programme runs on a four-week rotation:
- Week 1: Personal testimonies
- Week 2: Educational sessions, including professionals and lived experience speakers
- Week 3: Group activities to encourage connection and healing
- Week 4: Friends, family, and loved ones evening
This rotation helps create a strong foundation for recovery while offering support to everyone affected—not just those in active addiction. We’ve found that family and friends often suffer too, and our inclusive approach is helping to rebuild relationships and bring healing to entire households.
In addition to our weekly meetings, we carry out outreach in the community—one-to-one support, home visits, and personal phone calls. We link in with 12-Step fellowships, provide sponsorship, and support local services. We’re even connected to a recovery running group, promoting health and well-being through movement and encouragement.
We’ve had incredible moments at Archway—live singers, powerful talks and testimonies, and eye-opening presentations on substance misuse. We’ve also welcomed residents from local rehabs, creating space for connection across communities. These moments build purpose, unity, and hope.
We are a self-supporting group, currently applying for funding to secure a permanent base — a true home for Archway. Our goal is to expand from one night a week to a full-time, drop-in centre, where people can access recovery meetings, groups, and peer support throughout the week. We even have a vision for an under-18s Archway Recovery, to support young people before addiction takes hold.
We’re creating a movement—one grounded in unity, lived experience, faith, and love. Unity is critical to recovery, and we are witnessing miracles unfold in our local community. Lives are being changed. Homes are being restored. And hope is being reborn.
Each week, Archway Recovery now welcomes up to 70 people from all walks of life. In the past 12 months, we’ve celebrated sobriety birthdays, people returning to work, and families being rebuilt. We also support professionals who value their anonymity—through private phone calls, emails, and one-on-one meet-ups in safe spaces where they can still access the recovery community without fear of stigma.
Conor and I have personally funded the early stages of Archway Recovery using a small inheritance I received after my father passed away. Every person who helps run Archway—from volunteers to our treasurer and directors—is either in recovery themselves or has been directly affected by addiction.
What was freely given to us at NWRC, we have now brought to Denbighshire—and the results speak for themselves. Lives are being changed, families restored, and hope renewed.