9th September 2024 – Bridge House, Maidstone.
Bridge House is a wonderful de-tox, near Maidstone. After 2 week’s, residents either go on to rehab or return home. Whatever the decision, lives are changed. See the full lovely write-up I had from the Bridge House.
December 2023 – SIAS Clinic, Birmingham
I went up to SIAS today, just outside Birmingham.I played to two groups. Its always good to see people starting out on their recovery, especially at this time of the year.
Kevin & Jim’s Recovery
I had opportunity to record this in early December at Oxleas NHS. Kevin McInerney interviews me and shares some stories and anecdotes about recovery and support services. Find at https://vimeo.com/772532674
Kevin and Jim’s recovery journeys from Oxleas NHS on Vimeo.
HMP Send-December 21st
HMP Send is a category C training prison for 282 adult females. It has the only therapeutic community in women’s prisons in the UK. Send is located near Guilford. I presented my music/story session to several members of the drug and alcohol programme.It was well received, and there was some powerful sharing. I was pleased to be asked to return next year.
HMP Brixton – December 20th.
This was a return visit to HMP Brixton.The session was special, as three members of the group were graduating from the therapeutic programme. They were also leaving prison in the next month. It was a privilege to be there.
Turning Point in South West London – December 15th.
I visited Turning Point in South West London, this is a Service for the families and friends of the person who has a drug/alcohol problem. It was interesting to hear their perspective on recovery and how their lives had changed.
Turning Points Christmas Party – December 9th.
I was invited to play at Turning Points Christmas Party in West London. Apart from being an enjoyable event, I made various contacts with staff members in different projects in London. Turning Point is the largest and oldest alcohol/drug service in the UK.
‘Harbour’ in Brixton December Ist
I visited the ‘Harbour’ in Brixton again. This is a comprehensive day service, for people who need support in their ongoing recovery. The ‘Harbour’ is part of the Lambeth drug and alcohol Consortium.
Highdown Prison 31st October
When I visit Highdown Prison, which is located three miles from Banstead, in Surrey, memories are triggered.Early in my recovery, I attended an AA meeting, in Banstead Psychiatric Hospital. In 1992 the prison opened, it’s a Category C mens training/resettlement prison.
I went to Highdown earlier this year. On entering the security process, the officers always ask me to play a few chords, it’s a good beginning.
The Forward Trust(formally Rapt)have developed a strong culture of recovery amongst the inmates. My session went well and I was impressed with the level of sharing within the group.
It’s always inspiring engaging with people in prisons left with a deep sense of gratitude.
Dear Albert, 28th September 2022
The Harbour, Brixton, 22nd September 2022
Fifteen minutes from Brixton overground station along Coldharbour Lane lies the ‘Harbour’, part of the Lambeth Drug and Alcohol Consortium.
It offers support for people in ongoing recovery from addiction. It’s a wonderful, welcoming environment. It was a bonus for me that the member of staff who
opened the door, hadn’t seen me for 17 years. Experiences like this make everything worthwhile. The ‘Harbour’offers advice and information on substance misuse including:
Key work sessions and one to one support.
Benefit advice
Recovery groups
Relapse prevention support
Shower and laundry facilities
Thursday afternoon drop in
Computer access and WiFi
Women’s group
Yoga and mindfulness
Support for family and friends of substance users.
My music/stories were well received, and I was kindly asked to return soon..
Penrhyn House, Bangor – August 23rd
NWRC was founded in 2014 by James Deakin, who was at the time working in criminal justice services and becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of effective provision available for people with drug and alcohol addictions.
NWRC began delivering a programme of meetings and recovery activity from Penrhyn House, which at the time was a hostel for ex-offenders. After negotiations with the landlord, James and the team took over the running of Penrhyn House and have since been running a rehabilitation programme for people with addictions to drugs and alcohol, they also provide a range of abstinent accommodation from both Penrhyn House and dispersed across Bangor.
NWRC now has a team of six staff; all staff are in recovery themselves, and two have used NWRC services previously to support them on their recovery journey. Working and recruiting in this way has contributed to an democratic ethos amongst staff and clients, enabling them to work honestly and openly together, creating an environment in which people can overcome their addictions and rebuild their lives.
SIAS 13th July 2022
“it reminded him of the best meetings he attended and you had inspired him to want to share back….” (read more)
SIAS (Solihull Integrated Addiction Services) is a partnership of organisations, commissioned by Solihull Council, which work closely together to ensure that individuals in Solihull who are struggling with alcohol, drug or gambling addiction get the support they need.
I received a great welcome from clients and service workers at SIAS. I did 2 presentations / performances back to back. A lovely day up to Marston Green.
North West Recovery Communities in Glasgow. 13th – 15th June 2022
I received a lovely warm welcome in Glasgow NWRC.
North West Recovery Communities is a community led partnership of people and services who are passionate about promoting recovery from Alcohol and Drugs. The partnership promotes that ‘Recovery is possible’ through a range of activities, There is a wonderful network of ‘Recovery Cafés’ across Glasgow. I visited five of them in three days!
These are cafes where people can get together, have a coffee and a meal. However, they offer much more than that.
There are various groups, both therapeutic and practical: Mindfulness, yoga and creative topics are also covered.
I’d like to thank Brian, Tam and Martin for transporting me to the various projects and giving me such a great overall experience. I hope to return later in the year.
Glasgow Itinerary Week Beginning Monday 13th June 2022
Monday 13th June 2022
| Time | Venue | Host |
| 11:00-14:00 | Drumchapel Drop in Café
St Marks Church, 281 Kinfauns Drive, Glasgow G15 7BD |
T Chawner – liaise with steering group regards time.
Tam to liaise with Jim regards pick up time. |
| 18:30-21:00 | Paradise Café Drop In,
Celtic Park Glasgow G40 3RE |
T Chawner – jim group be on after recovery share – Gemma@sisco.org the contact coyney.sisco@outlook.com |
Tuesday 14th June 2022
| Time | Venue | Host |
| 10:30-14:00 | WeAreWithYou, NW Hub
Unit 2, The Quadrangle, 59 Ruchill Street, Glasgow, G20 9PX
|
Shaun Kenny, WAWY recovery worker, to pick up and drop off at NWRC Office. |
| 15:30-17:00 | North- West Recovery Communities,
80 St Vincent Terrace, Glasgow, G3 8DX
|
T Chawner – with our volunteers – invited Hope connections folk to office, Kevin Walton to see if he can bring some of them along. |
| 18:00-19:00 | AA Recovery Meeting,
St Peters Church, 46 Hyndland Street, Partick, Glasgow G11 5PS |
M Birch |
Wednesday 15th June 2022
| Time | Venue | Host |
| 11:00-12:30
1.30pm – 2.45pm |
WINGS Drop In Café
Possilpark Parish Church 124 Saracen Street, Glasgow, G22 5AP GCA building – Brian to support |
B McCarthy |
| 17:30 | Participate in men sit and share group ran by NWRC | B McCarthy |
| 19:00-20:30 | AA Recovery Meeting
Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre, 64 Balmoral Street, Glasgow G14 5PS |
M Birch |
26th May Birmingham University
I went to the University of Birmingham to meet Luke Trainor, Project Manager of ‘Better than Well’ Collegiate Recovery. Luke developed the Idea with Dr Ed Day(Psychiatrist), who is currently the governments ‘Recovery Champion’. This project is the first of its kind in a UK university. The students attend a weekly group in the university, it’s run along the lines of a 12 step and CBT programme.
The members also attend AA(Alcoholic Anonymous), NA(Narcotics Anonymous and CA (Cocaine Anonymous), in the local community.
I performed my session, it was well received.
It was heartening to visit this group, in America, a few years back. Recovery groups and services for students with addiction issues have been a part of college and university culture for many years. Thank you to the students at Birmingham (U.K.) for giving me such a warm welcome.
Visit to ANA – 2nd May 2022
ANA treatment centre is based in Farlington, near Southsea, in Hampshire. I have been going down there for 14 years. When I first went there it was a quasi residential treatment centre, in fact, I was a Care Manager for Wandsworth, and I referred many people to ANA. The residents are referred from local authorities all over the UK.
It’s always a pleasure to go to ANA, as the culture is positive and real, this is due to the professional staff team, who have been working there for many years.
-Jim
Visits to the ‘Forward Trust’ projects in East Kent – Spring 2022
I went to four projects at Dover(6th May), Ashford(13th May), Sittingbourne(20th May) and Margate(30th May).
I must thank Joshua, at ‘Forward Trust’ for organising the whole project.
He met me from the station, set up the PA system and made sure I had enough coffee and snacks.
These projects serve the East Kent area,
They offer services to people with alcohol and drug problems and their families.
Unity Day – 18th March 2022
I took a train down to Ashford to visit and participate in the Forward Connect East Kent Unity Day. There were about 45 people assembled in the Parish rooms in the old town in Ashford. They had come from Forward Trust projects in different parts of East Kent.
It was inspirational hearing people sharing their story of change and recovery. I sang a few songs and told some stories. There was a cake baking competition. I was one of the judges; a first for me and a lot of fun.
As a large part of recovery is about connection with others, this event was a pleasure to attend.
In May I will be visiting the individual projects In East Kent.
Brixton Prison – 28th March 2022.
I made my way to the prison, walking up Brixton Hill. It’s been some time since I’ve been to the prison, one noticeable thing was the new buildings. I have history with HMP Brixton, in 1965 I served a 6 week sentence there for contempt of court. Since being sober, I have visited Brixton many times as an AA member and as a Social Worker.
The Forward Trust is a charity that helps people break the cycles of addiction and offending(formerly RAPT). They have drug/alcohol teams in prisons in the UK. I was welcomed by one of the team, and we walked through the prison, to the group room. The men are assessed for the group programme, They spend six months working through the 12 steps, with one to one sessions with their individual counsellors.
My session went well, the group were extremely motivated and enthusiastic about their recovery.
They asked if I would return, I will be going back in six months.
The Dover Project – Friday 6th May 2022
I caught a train from Bromley South to Dover Priory. Like many people I’ve driven to Dover to catch the ferry many time over the years, however the train journey was a first for me, stations on the route such as Shepherdswell and Adisham were new to me.
Joshua from the Forward trust was at Dover station to take me to the project.
The Dover and Folkestone Hub is for people with drug and/or alcohol problems who want to make a positive change. The project also supports the family and friends of people who are worried about their loved ones substance use.
On arriving I met the staff, then prepared for my sing and share. During the session, the songs triggered difficult emotions for two of the clients, they spoke about it in the group after,
It was a positive experience.
Visit to LEAP in Edinburgh – 4th April 2022
The Lothians and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP)is a quasi-residential integrated treatment programme for patients in the Lothian area who are striving for abstinent recovery.
It was started 14 years ago. The clinical Lead is Dr David McCartney whose lived experience was a catalyst in founding this wonderful project.
LEAP is run on the lines of a Therapeutic Community, peer supporters are a large part of this.
I was made very welcome, and I presented my session in the lecture theatre for the patients and the staff. I received a warm reception and was asked if I would return later in the year.
I felt nostalgic, as the treatment centre I went to was the original model for this type of treatment (Bio-psychosocial combined with AA meetings).