Hartlepool is hosting a series of events this September to celebrate National Recovery Month and reduce the stigma associated with addiction.
The Hartlepool Recovery Festival, organised by Start (Hartlepool Borough Council's drug and alcohol support service) and Recovery Connections, will feature events across the borough designed to tackle stigma and raise awareness of local support services.
The festival gives a platform for people to share their recovery stories and inform the public about the personal and wider impacts of drug and alcohol use.
Art in Recovery exhibition
One of the main events takes place on Thursday 3 September at Hartlepool Art Gallery in Church Street Square. The 'Art in Recovery' exhibition will feature work from artists going through recovery, with artist Sam Williams as the focus.
Sam Williams volunteers for Recovery Connections and leads art sessions at the Art Gallery every week, helping people in recovery through art. "To be asked to be artist in focus for recovery month has blown my mind," Sam said. "I'm excited, I'm nervous, I just want it to go so well because our recovery community means so much."
Who can attend
The festival events are open to anyone in recovery, those affected by drug or alcohol use, and anyone who wants to support and celebrate recovery in Hartlepool.
Councillor Christine Wiley, Chair of the Adult Services and Public Health Committee, said the festival brings people together in a friendly environment to open dialogue and provide support. "I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved," she said.
