AUTUMN EDITION 2015 | Issue 014 | www.affinitymagazine.org.uk
Magazine AFFINITY
CONNECTING RECOVERY ACROSS LANCASHIRE
Inspire, belong, support, achieve...
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
W ELCOME! Welcome to the Autumn Edition of the Affinity Magazine! As we head towards the winter season, Affinity thought this edition would be a great stage to showcase and celebrate all the fantastic events that have been running throughout Recovery Month September 2015. We also have some updates from local Lancashire recovery communities such as Red Rose Recovey, The Well, UKRF, Metamorphasis, Families Together, Serenity Café, CRI and many more... There’ve been some brave and hard working people in recovery raising money for charity this Autumn, including Rosie Latham’s Sky Dive for Children in Need and NSPCC. Inspire took on a Cycle Challenge for recovery month, conquering a massive 43.3 miles from Inspire Morecambe to Inspire Blackburn!
There’s also a little story in here from our very own editor Lexi West, who trekked for 2 weeks to Everest base camp and raised money for Affinity and local recovery communities.
So let’s get stuck into this jam packed edition of Affinity and find out what’s happening in your local recovery community!
Want to send a story into our next edition or know of any great events coming up? Send them in to: affinitymagazine@yahoo.co.uk by January 15th 2016 Like what you’ve read? Give us a like on
AffinityMagazine
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
AFFINITY Maga zine
GIVE
| Autumn 2015
3
CONNECT CONNECT
BE ACTIVE ACTIVE BE
TAKE NOTICE NOTICE TAKE
KEEP LEARNING LEARNING KEEP
GIVE GIVE
St. Stephens Church, Bird Street, Preston, PR1 8DY Saturday 3rd October saw the positive hard work that’s been done finally pay off. From meeting up in August to delivering leaflets in the local area, over two days it certainly paid off. A raffle raised £76.00 and donations were kindly received from Morrison’s, The Secret Garden, McDonald’s, Booths to name but a few. A big thank you must go to Michael Reynolds who visited several businesses achieving some great donations. On the day we had an arts and crafts table where the children could make door hangers and decorate an owl. Table tennis proved to be a competitive sport, as did football and hula hooping, it certainly got the mums joining in.
Hot dogs and a selection of sandwiches along with drinks proved popular with a treat of Haribos for the children both young and more mature. All in all it was a very successful day, and a good link with St. Stephens Church, building a stronger partnership and great plans for the year ahead. Ideas for upcoming days, a trip out and some fundraising ideas are on the cards. If you would like to volunteer or attend do not hesitate to contact us or come along. Calendar of Dates : 14th November 2015
12-4 pm
12th December 2015
12-4 pm
9th January 2016
12-4 pm
13th February 2016
12-4 pm
12th March 2016
12-4 pm
9th April 2016
12-4 pm
Chair: Katrina Taylor – katrina@redroserecovery.org.uk / 07958 576738 Vice Chair: Kelly Hardman 4
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine
Secretary: Gwen Hughes
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
Central Lancs Red Rose Recovery Locality Worker Paul Becouarn How amazing is this, me of all people, giving back to our communities and supporting volunteers. Three years ago this was only an unrealistic dream!!! Having come from years in prison and treatment centres and no experience standing alone in the community, I now have a life of happiness and reachable ambition. Three years ago I went to my first LUF meeting – seeing a recovering community for the first time. After a lot of guidance and advice I followed suit with the volunteers and gained qualifications and employment in areas inside and outside of recovery. I now have the Locality job with Red Rose Recovery in Central. There are some great projects coming up, and one I am really excited about is Families Together. We have had a clean-up at St. Wilfs where we helped clean up the garden and weed round the building. Our next community project is a church clean up at St Stephens Church on Thursday 3rd December, 11-2pm. The passion that our volunteers have is amazing – it really lifts my dreams of what we can achieve, and it would not be possible without them. I am really looking forward to the future with Red Rose and these exciting times ahead. Fancy getting involved with Red Rose Recovery - Central Lancashire? Contact: paul@redroserecovery.org.uk / 07935 251579 AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
5
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
www.opencinemalancashire.btck.co.uk
GIVE
01524 555900
The story so far – Metamorphosis Open Cinema Lancashire Some people told me that no matter how much glitter I throw over ‘Metamorphosis Open Cinema’ it’s only a place for people to meet up and watch films, who used to get off their head on drink and drugs. And yes - a part of me agrees with them because some of us can be very vulnerable after we have had treatment for alcohol and drug misuse, even several years after completing that process and the importance of peer support for people in post treatment recovery should not be underestimated. However, a bigger part of me, the part of me that has spent the best part of 2015 putting together a project that places cinema and filmmaking in the hands of people in or seeking recovery sees Metamorphosis as an alternative to the alternative. I see Metamorphosis as an invaluable resource that literally tackles the causes of the causes and represents an initial point of contact based in the community making recovery visible, attainable and attractive. It is a simple idea that if embraced and invested in will give people living in or actively seeking recovery the opportunity to build on the investment made whilst in treatment and hopefully say goodbye to the revolving door of the substance misuse treatment system and hello to a simple life free from dependency. Having struggled 30 years with an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and other drugs I can promise you one thing, with or without glitter, Metamorphosis can transform the lives of people in recovery, it has mine. The project is for anyone without access to this remarkable way of bringing people together, inspiring them, and offering them new possibilities. Participants who we see as members are able to come and watch films, take part in post screening discussions and make films of their own in an environment where they can experience participation instead of unwelcomeness, and ownership in place of stigma. Established in the heart of Lancaster within Lancaster Library we screen classic and contemporary films every Tuesday at 6.30pm. We are very proud to announce that we are taking part in the BFI LOVE project and on 17 November we invite you to fall in love like it’s 1945 with a day of dancing, music, afternoon tea and a very special screening of Brief Encounter.
6
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
On the Third Thursday of each month we are also planning on screening a season of LGBT films celebrating LOVE. Keen to reach out to people in recovery who identify with the LGBT community on 19 November we are screening one of the most beloved of all gay youth movies released in the late 90s. Metamorphosis Open Cinema is your Community Cinema and has been set up to provide you with access to the most democratic, mysterious and international of art forms and popular culture pursuits of our times. Get involved and help spread film fever across Lancashire and become part a community that supports each other. For more details follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook or contact David McLoughlin at Open Cinema Lancashire on 01524 555900 or 07563377831.
SCREENINGS THIS NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2015 Tue 17 Nov - 3.00pm
Tue 8 Dec - 6:30pm
Brief Encounter +
About Schmidt (15)
Big LOVE Tea Dance
Tue 17 Nov - 6.30pm We Bought a Zoo (15)
Thu 19 Nov - 7.00pm Beautiful Thing (R)
Tue 15 Dec - 6:30pm Soloist (12)
Thu 17 Dec - 7pm Appropriate Behaviour (15)
Tue 24 Nov 6:30pm Southpaw (R)
Tue 22 Dec - 6:30pm Scrooge :
Tue 1 Dec - 6:30pm
A Christmas
Philadelphia (12)
Carol (U)
AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
7
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
THE WELL The past two months have been a really exciting time for The Well, its staff and volunteers and our members. We kicked off recovery month in style with our first Community Cabaret. With over 130 in attendance and a plethora of talent showcased, it was a truly remarkable night. Watch this space for the next one!
Mid-September marked the 5k recovery run. This event was amazing and testament to the passion that is there for recovery. We would like to thank our members who turned out in force to support this event and a big shout out to Gary Byrne for organising it asking us to get involved. Can’t wait for next year!
8
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine
GIVE
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
The lads from our recovery house in Barrow also completed a monumental hike up Scafell Pike in The Lake District: the highest mountain peak in England! Massive well done for that!
September was also the start of our Staff/volunteer of the month awards, as voted by our members. Not only were they honoured by our members but by the Prime Minister himself, David Cameron. Here they are receiving their letter from Downing Street. Keep up the great work guys and thank you for all you do. We are excited to announce that our newest recruit Geri ByrneThompson is now in post as our Business and Development lead. So, welcome aboard Geri! The future of The Well just became even more exciting. And last, but by no means least, huge congratulations to our fearless leader, David Higham on receiving his Un-sung Hero Award from the National No-offence Redemption and Justice Awards, held early October at Manchester Cathedral. You continue to inspire us all and we could not be more proud. To find out more about upcoming events, activities and new developments, follow us on: Facebook - The Well / Twitter -@ thethewell2
Contact - Kerrie on 07826959517 / kerrie@thewell2.co.uk or Visit - www.thewellcommunities.co.uk AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
9
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
CHARITY SKYDIVE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
My name is Rosie and I am in long term recovery. For me that means I haven’t had any alcohol or substances for over 4 years. I worked for Red Rose Recovery until May 2014, when I left to pursue a career in teaching. When I enrolled at university to do my teacher training, I also made enquiries about becoming a volunteer Childline counsellor. I was accepted for both! I started my training at Childline in August 2014 and was qualified as a counsellor 2 months later October 2014. I have met some amazing people and it is the most worthwhile thing I have ever done. I am so glad I followed my heart and spoke to someone who had worked there before, squashing any doubts that I couldn’t do the role without any qualifications. Childline relies on charitable donations to carry out the work it does with children and young people and is always looking at innovative ways to fundraise. One of my fellow volunteers, Louise, saw an advertisement for the NSPCC Big Sky Dive 2015 event and jokingly suggested we do it… before I knew it we had both signed up to jump 11500ft from an aeroplane. Now I had done a sky dive before in 2009 and totally hated it and swore I would never do it again. All the old fear was back and all over me and I was actually dreading it. However as the sponsorship came in I knew I had to follow it through as the funds raised would help a child or young person to find their voice in a time of crisis and I knew I couldn’t let them down. The nearer the date approached the more nervous I was and at one point I thought I might lose my nerve. My friend Louise was a constant source of encouragement and helped put my nerves at ease. When the big day came, we met at the Black Knights Parachute Centre in Cockerham at 8am. I also had some of my family there to cheer me on including 2 of my grandchildren. The weather wasn’t on our side as it was so foggy, so we ended up doing a lot of waiting around. At one point we thought the jump might have to be postponed which wouldn’t have bothered me in the slightest!!! I was introduced to Chris my instructor for the day and who would be jumping with me in the tandem. The banter from the instructors is actually quite funny and helps to relax you. I think it also helped that Chris was a veteran from the army and had served in the parachute regiment. The minute he told me that the nerves just disappeared and I was completely fired up and looking forward to it.
10
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
It also helped that I was constantly getting messages of support from my family and quite a few of the guys at Childline….when I admitted to them I was extremely nervous one of the supervisors from Childline sent me a very poignant message that said, ‘Fate whispered to the warrior, “You cannot weather the storm.” The warrior whispered back, “I am the storm”’. That statement gave me more courage than he will ever know. Louise also said to think of the children we help and let them be your courage, that sealed the deal for me. Finally after over 4 hours of nerves, panic, e uphoria and slight hysteria we were told it was time to jump and we were placed in the first group to go. I have to admit the heart was certainly pumping and I and Louise had a good few hugs before we got on the plane. I was given the task of being the second jumper and Louise was number 6. The atmosphere on the aeroplane is quite charged and you can sense the nerves from other jumpers. We were told on the aeroplane we were jumping from 11500ft and not the original 10000ft. After a few last minute checks it was my turn to go and out we went. The freefall is quite a scary part for me as despite being hit by the air at 120pmh you feel like you can’t breathe and struggle to get your breathing into check. It feels like forever but is literally seconds before the parachute opens and that is when the awe inspiring scenery comes into view. It is so peaceful and quiet and the silence is so hard to describe. It brings a feeling of absolute peace and is stunning to be a part of. Chris then did some spins with the parachute and then moved us about in the sky to dodge the clouds. Below me I could actually see the aeroplane I had just jumped from go into land and that was a mind blowing experience on its own. I had worn my NSPCC t-shirt over my jumpsuit so my family knew when I was coming in to land they said it was amazing to watch me floating through the sky. I had an amazing landing and once I hit the ground and my tandem was released I couldn’t thank the instructor enough. I actually flung my arms around him and hugged him. It’s quite emotional when you land and the adrenaline is still pumping and then the euphoria of knowing what you have just achieved kicks in. Louise was as emotional as me and we were both a bit shaky, however we both agreed we would do it again given the chance. So not only did we face our fears and conquer them but we raised over £1400 between us for the charity and that is something we are both very proud of. It costs £4 to answer a call from a child or young person and raising that amount means a lot more calls will go answered. It has also given us a bond within our friendship that will remain for a lifetime. AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
11
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
CHILLI CON C
Everyone loves a good chilli!
This is a really flexible recipe with options for meat-eaters, vegetarians and vegans. If you want to eat on the cheap go for TVP/soya option. It’s delicious, low fat and incredibly budget-friendly. This will make 2 big portions, double or multiply by ten for a party (check you out Ms/Mr popular!) You can serve it with rice/bread/baked potato or try the quick & easy roti bread. To make the tasty roti’s - we’ve put the video recipie online at: www.affinitymagazine.org.uk/goodfood/roti
What do I do? What will I need? • 1x big onion • 1 fat clove of garlic • 1x pepper (cheaper if you buy a pack of 3) • 250g mince beef (or soya/quorn mince) • 1x 400g tin of kidney beans • 1x400g tin of tomatoes • ¼ of a tube of tomato puree • Chilli flakes/powder/oil • ½ tsp paprika • ½ tsp cumin • 1tbs veg’ oil • Salt and pepper. • A couple of squares of DARK chocolate
(cheapest supermarket own brand is perfect but don’t go lobbing in a Mars bar because it won’t end well, don’t worry if you don’t have any but it does add a depth of flavour that tastes nothing like chocolate)
12
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine
1. Chop the onion and the pepper, if you have a wilted carrot sulking in the back of your fridge grate that in too. 2. Fry gently for 4 mins, the onion should be soft but not brown. Chop the garlic and add to the onions with the paprika, cumin and chilli, give it a good stir then add the meat/Quorn/soya and continue to cook on a medium heat for 6 min s. Add salt to taste and the tin of tomatoes. Stir again to break up the meat/ Quorn/soya and add the drained, washed kidney beans. 3. Turn up the heat so that your chilli sauce reduces and thickens to a spicy, tomatoey gloop. Stir and keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of your pan. When the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon add the tomato puree and stir vigorously. Your arm muscles should be quite impressive by now so make a mental note to wear more t-shirts. 4. Now it is time to add the dark chocolate if you are using it, this is a professional chef’s tip so you might want to swear a bit. 5. Taste your chilli to check you are happy with the level of salt and heat, if you are adding chilli powder go carefully; you can add but not take away. Make sure the top is secure on your chilli powder, we are not going to discuss how I know this is important. 6. Take a bow,
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
CARNE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
Want to learn more yummy recepies...? There are a few spaces left in Linda’s ‘You Can Flourish’ class: Mondays 10-12.30 - Stanley’s Community Centre, Morecambe. 07576744528 to book We, cook, we laugh, we eat and it is all free!
AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
13
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
Date 19 - 30 November
Event / Activity IRWCC World ONLINE Conference
Info Free online conference hosting by over 40 presenters from 6 continents who are all experts in the field of Recovery to Wellness Coaching 22nd November Treasure hunt/walk in the Come and take part in a treasure hunt with Paul park Reilly from CSI. 24th November Metamorphosis - FILM Southpaw (R) 26th November
Connect Over Coffee
29th November
The Well’s first Recovery Church service
30th November
World Drumming Evening Women of faith present drumming from around the world. Opportunity to get involved and have fun. *Women only event Metamorphosis - FILM Philadelphia (12) - Being shown as part of World Aids Day County Lancashire User Come along and get involved in your local Forum recovery community!
1st December 8th December
8th December 15th December 17th December
Metamorphosis - FILM Metamorphosis - FILM Inspire Christmas Show The Spirit of Christmas
19th December
Metamorphosis - FILM
19th December
Addictive Comedy
22nd December Metamorphosis - FILM 12th January 11th February
14
Autumn 2015 |
East Lancashire User Forum Central Lancashire User Forum AFFINITY Maga zine
Meet women in recovery. Connect, engage and have your say in what you would like to see from future women’s events 2016. Food, fellowship and a service at our new venue
About Schmidt (15 Soloist (12) An exciting Christmas Show produced by Inspire East Lancs. A 2hr show consisitng of acts from different community groups who have come together to celebrate The Big Knights (U) 70 mins - 13 short animated films and workshops following this. The film for children of all ages and even mum and dad can get involved and the best thing is, it's FREE! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/addictivecomedy-at-christmas-tickets-19491468507 Scrooge : A Christmas Carol (U) Come along and get involved in your local recovery community! Come along and get involved in your local recovery community!
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
Location www.irwcconference. com/
Time
Contact
Booking
Astley Park, Astley Hall, Chorley, PR7 1XA Lancaster Library
11am
katrina@redroserecovery.org.uk
Free
6:30pm
David - 01524 555900
More Music · Morecambe
10am-12
The Hothouse, 1317 Devonshire rd, Morecambe, LA3 1QT Manchester Multifaith Centre, Ada House, 77 Thompson St, M4 5FY Lancaster Library
2-4pm
kerrie@thewell2.co.uk
Free
7-9pm
Aisha 07967 883 240
6.30pm
David - 01524 555900
Places limited so book Free
The Platform, Old Station Buildings, Marine Road, Morecambe, LA4 4BD Lancaster Library Lancaster Library Longholme Methodist Church Rawtenstall & Burnley Central Methodist Church LANCASTER LIBRARY
10am-3pm
admin@redroserecovery.org.uk
Just turn up!
6.30pm 6.30pm 2pm & 7pm
David - 01524 555900 David - 01524 555900 Andy Toynton - 07917556946 or andy.toynton@cri.org.uk
Just turn up! Just turn up! Book in advance
11.00 am 4.00 pm
David - 01524 555900
Just turn up!
facebook.com/thedryumbrella/
Free Free
The Dry Umbrella, Manchester, M1 1JW LANCASTER LIBRARY
6.30pm
David - 01524 555900
Free - please book online Just turn up!
tbc
tbc
admin@redroserecovery.org.uk
Just turn up!
Tanhouse community Centre, Skelmersdale, WN8 6AN
10.30-3pm
admin@redroserecovery.org.uk
Just turn up!
AFFINITY Maga zine AFFINITY
| Autumn 2015
15
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
EAST
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
East Inspire t Recovery Mont
Andy Toynton, a Recovery Academy Co-ordinator from CRI Inspire, Accrington describes the challenge in his own words... 43.3 Miles from Inspire Morecambe to Inspire Blackburn was the challenge for 19 cycling enthusiasts on Friday 4th of September. The Inspire Recovery Cycle Challenge commenced on a beautiful autumnal September morning from Morecambe Inspire. The first ten miles took us along cycle route 69 along the coast path to Conder Green. The first stage was relatively easy with only pedestrians and other cyclists to negotiate. However, this was the calm before the storm as the next 12 mile stage consisted of some steep ascents as we proceeded to Calder Vale. Not content with 12 miles and steep hills Colin decided to undertake a detour and cycled another three miles. Next year we must invest in bigger signage. Thanks to Neil for finding Colin. Colin was not the only lost sheep of the day, as Jimmy decided to take a short cut to Ribchester and have an early lunch. Stage 3 of the day proved to be the longest trek as we left Calder Vale on a 14 mile Cycle to Ribchester. Muscles were lacking but spirits were not as we passed the half way mark and took a gradual ascent and decent into Ribchester. As we passed though Longridge and into Ribchester we noticed the bunting and cycles painted yellow the local community had kindly put on for us. Actually, it was for the tour of Britain that starts next week, however we like to think we were the advance party. A quick break was then followed by the last stage of 7 miles up the steepest hill of the day along the A666 into Blackburn and then to the finish line to CRI’s Inspire in Blackburn.
The challenge was not over for two of our fellow cyclists from Morecambe who then decided to cycle back to Morecambe, a brave feat indeed. Thank you for joining the challenge. Now for the thanks. The first must go to Liam, John Neil and Amanda who looked after the group throughout the day and kept us safe. High recognition must go to both Greg and Rachel who once again are our unsung heroes. Greg for his continuous effort with the academy, assisting with the driving, maintaining the cycles and the risk assessments. Rachel for driving the back-up vehicle and providing the refreshments. The biggest part of the challenge was the all the preparation especially the day before when we dropped off the 16
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
takes on a Recovery Cycle Challenge for th
cycles at Morecambe and picked up the mini-bus from Lytham who kindly lent us the mini-bus. It was a long day for both Rachel and Greg. Thanks must go to Inspire both at Morecambe for allowing us to store the cycles. We need to mention the remainder that took part who have not been mentioned yet. They are: Cathy, Jeff , Jason from Rawtenstall and Jason from Burnley, Adian and Adam. Some special recognition needs to go to Rob who not only completed the challenge but supported other cyclists as well. The biggest thanks though need to go to Sue, Cycling Development Officer for CTC, the national cycling charity. This challenge commenced a few months ago with training every Wednesday. Sue was instrumental with the academy cycling group with not only providing cycles but equipment and continuous advice and support. This challenge would not have been possible without Sue so we owe you a big gratitude Sue. So what next? We feel that this challenge should be turned into an annual recovery event adding another 7 miles and making it a round 50 and ending at Accrington in 2016. So watch this space if you are interested in taking part next year! Before that though we shall be cycling the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in May next year. A total of 127 miles in 3 days. We shall be training throughout autumn and winter for this event. We will be building up the mileage each week If you are interested please ring me on 01254 282 900. However, if you just want to cycle on a weekly basis you are very welcome. We run a cycle group every Wednesday 10am from Rawtenstall Inspire. AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
17
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
NORTH BRIC
GIVE
BUILDING RECOVERY IN COMMUNITIES
The BRiC Update for the North in this edition has been taken up by the UK Recovery Month Recovery Run in Morecambe, The Bay 5K. This event was funded by Lancashire County Council’s Building Recovery in the Community fund to initiate recovery activities and enterprises that showcase the recovery community to be a visible beacon of hope for those people still suffering with drug and alcohol issues. It is hoped the run sent out the message that recovery is a reality. The day was amazing the sun was shining and it brought out the recovery community from all across the Northwest from as far as Yorkshire, Cumbria right down to Cheshire and beyond. We registered 110 competitors on the day and we approximated that there were a further 80 spectating and cheering people over the line. The run was started by the Mayor of Lancaster Jon Barry, a keen cyclist, and also the amazing ultra-runner and recovery champion Tom Fitzsimons who donated copies of his book It’s Not About The Beard charting his run across America. The start line had a real race feel due to the amazing work of Red Rose Recovery Locality Worker Steve Watson who ensured via his PA system that everyone was in the mood and revved up by congratulating every single person who crossed the finish line to the soundtrack of Chariots of Fire. Each and every person who crossed the line got a t-shirt and a medal with the inscription “Just for today I ran the 5K”. The medals were donated by the CSI Team from Lancashire Sport and a huge thanks has to go to the very flexible Jane Moodie and her team who completed the pre-run warm up which really raised a few smiles and pulses. The race was won by Rocky from The Well in Cumbria in a blisteringly quick time of 18:03 and the fastest female was Ellen with an equally impressive sub 20 minute finish. The pictures say it all really, but the one thing the pictures don’t tell you is the impact this run had on the people watching both myself and a fellow recovery activist were brought to tears... 18
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
BY GARY BYRNE ... by the hope and optimism that the event created and the sense that recovery is a reality. Also I was approached by members of the public who were really interested in what the run was about and the agencies involved. One woman not involved with the run gained direct support for her husband’s drinking and gained serendipitous support from the recovery community. The run made the local paper the Morecambe Visitor and an article will be published in the next edition of the more More Morecambe magazine. Thanks to the amazing food provided by The Well who put on a healthy spread that fed not only the race competitors but also the remaining was donated to a group of local homeless people who came to watch the run. Additionally huge thanks to all the agencies who came out to support namely The Well, Red Rose Recovery, Lancashire Sport CSI, Affinity Magazine and the local Revolution Police Officers Ian and Phil. The BRiC fund was a one-time funding opportunity and now we aim to use the success of this run to hopefully encourage local businesse s to donate resources and small donations of cash to ensure we are able to host this important and inspirational event next year. We want to host the run annually during the recovery month of September encouraging more and more people to take part and to become involved in recovery networks and the battle against addiction. If you would like to get involved in the planning for next year’s run then please contact Gary Byrne North Lancs BRiC Co-ordinator and I will link you in with our planning committee being held at The Morecambe Well. Checkout the upcoming North Lancs BRiC Newsletter that will be available on the North Lancs Inspire FaceBook page. Until next time - Keep the faith! GB ■ AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
19
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
EVEREST BASE CAMP
It all started with a little dream.... There was an event being planned between Shardale TCP and Red Rose Recovery, where two people from the recovery community were going to be sponsored to go to Everest Base Camp (E.b.c) and raise money for RRR. I was very fortunate and astounded that the community had nominated, shortlisted and picked me to go! Unfortunately, six months down the line devastating earthquakes shook Nepal and the Everest region, so it was decided our trip would be postponed until next year due to safety. Over the months I was trying to think what I could do that would be out of the ordinary and to make use of the time I’d booked off work. I’d been training hard at the gym and kept being drawn to triathlons, gladiator-style muddy cross-country obstacle events or survival bush crafts trips but nothing seemed to match the Everest challenge. A colleague at work had been to Nepal a few times and trekked to E.b.c. With support from my close friends and family, reassurance from my work friend... I gained the confidence to fly solo and go for it! Yes - there could be another earthquake, but the probability was low. Nepal’s main economy comes from trekkers and tourists visiting their country, so if no-one actually goes - their recovery from the earthquake will be a long struggle. It was pretty much 6 weeks before the original flight date when I started getting my plans into motion with the trek for REAL and not sitting thinking about it. This is where the tagline for the t-shirt came from: Shoulda... Coulda... Woulda.... DID!! It was hard work - I’d never planned a trip like this before! There was lots of learning along the way. I’d never asked the bank for a loan before and wouldn’t have been allowed one until recently! I’d never booked a flight, a hotel abroad, booked with a travel guide company, organised currency to take with me, or had to find travel insurance that would cover for a country that the UK explicitly didn’t support travelling to unless essential.
After I’d booked my flights... I felt it was safe to announce I was going and started to raise as much money for the Affinity Magazine and recovery communities. I felt like I could get excited again The dream was happening! If you’d have asked me what a trek was before my trip to Nepal, I wouldn’t have been able to give you an answer because I hadn’t any real experience. Most people I spoke to were stunned that I’d not done any research into the trip before hand. After feeling confident of what kit I needed and what sort of training I should be doing, I stopped trawling the Internet blogs for advice. I wanted my trek to be an adventure and discovery and not a constant memory
20
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
of someone else’s experience that I was trying to recreate and maybe not living up to my expectations.
sleeping everywhere (including the middle of the road).
I arrived at Nepal airport, and was met by the director of Mountain Experience. He took me to my hotel, where I subsequently crashed out until the afternoon. The car journey to the hotel made me realise the adventure had already begun... as I’d had the most nerve wrecking car experience... With everyone driving at each other, honking horns, people randomly walking in front of you, no pavements, no traffic lights, no lanes, dogs
My first day was one of the hardest. I’d got to Nepal with no problems, no worries, but filled with lots of enthusiasm and excitement. After sleeping off a day’s worth of flying, I sat on the edge of my bed faced with prospect of leaving the front doors and stepping into a culture and a language I didn’t know.... but after my first day I came to realise that the Nepalese people are very friendly, welcoming and in no way want to make you feel uncomfortable. They are just happy you are visiting their country and want you to have a good stay. The flight to Everest was a hair raising experience. I’d never been on a tiny plane before where you could see the pilots flying the plane. Luckily it wasn’t too turbulent and we safely landed at the world’s shortest and most dangerous runway! With my guide by my side, we acquired a porter for some baggage carrying and grabbed a quick brew before setting off on the trek. The adventure took exactly 14 days, with a couple of rest days to acclimatise. I soon found out these were not real ‘rest’ days but days where we would climb a hill and come back down to the same height. Each day was hard work. For the first few days my legs were very sore. Some days we were walking through jungle like woods with sandy dirt paths. Other days it would be big boulders and rocks. I was worried about my knees as they were starting to hurt - and I’d committed to the trek by then! It took a while to get used to the altitude and I was advised to take it steady and not push myself if I felt my heart racing or hard to breathe. I wanted to push myself but altitude sickness would mean game over for the trek and a race down the mountain to get better. I was blessed throughout the trek not to have any rain, as it was coming to the end of the monsoon season. Each day the scenery changed so much and the landscapes were to die for. I was up at 6am each day and setting off in the cool air before sunrise - to be treated with the changing colours as the sun appeared suddenly from behind the mountain range. AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
21
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
On the last leg of the trek towards E.b.c, I really had to dig deep and push myself. I’d misjudged the length of it from the last lodge and not taken enough water. The boulders got much bigger the nearer we got and there was no semblance of a path so it was lucky I had a guide! We passed glaciers and the world around us looked like a space age film set, with no vegetation growing - just rocks. Once I’d made it - I was so proud of myself and gave my guide a massive hug. He took some photographs of me at the e.b.c monument with prayer flags. It was here I tied on the recovery ‘Fallen Soldier’ prayer flags I’d carried with me throughout the whole journey. Each flag had names of all the people from addiction and recovery that have sadly passed on. I was very proud to tie these to the existing e.b.c flags and knew that their names will fly in the wind until nature takes them away. A special journey that I didn’t do alone, but with the fallen soldiers. That evening I didn’t feel too clever after being up so high, the lack of water and beginning to feel symptoms of early altitude sickness. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make the last leg up to Kala Patthar (higher than E.b.c), which I was doing the following morning in time to catch the sunrise. When it came to the 4:30am wake up, I felt well enough to go. I set off really keen, but an hour into the climb... I started to feel ill again. I took it really slowly and eventually got to the top, only to find a dog curled up asleep! I honestly didn’t think I would make it and had a little cry to myself on the way down as I really didn’t think i was going to make it up there! The sunrise was mind blowing, as the colours had changed from dark blues, scattered with the stars and Milky Way, to a lighter haze of purple blue and eventually bright baby blue when the sun finally came out of hiding. The whole experience of the trek was amazing, challenging, rewarding leaving me endlessly full of gratitude. I went through so many emotions and its so hard to describe the whole experience in this article, as there’s not enough pages to relive it with you. If nothing... I hope I inspire at least one person in recovery to realise that they have the potential to do anything they dare to dream! Having my life back sober has made me realise that there is so much to live for and the only thing holding me back is me - so what are you waiting for? Get planning your Really Big Dream and change you’re Shoulda Coulda Woulda to - DID! - Lexi West
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
Recovery Month 2015 for the UKRF kicked off in Manchester on the 1st of September at our 7th National Event when around 250 UK activists gathered to explore the role of Recoverists in an ‘Age of Dislocation’. Marking a shift for the UKRF towards a new model of ‘Whole Community Recovery’ (addressing the isolation and dislocation that impacts on all of us) we hope that UKRF Recoverist Cafes’ rolled out across the UK in 2016, will support community building networks & new friendships within and across communities. There were 49 events in the 1st UK Recovery Month in 2013 and 102 events in 2014. This year we’re aware of 169: http://www.ukrf.org.uk/index.php/recoverymonth/events. Thousands of people made recovery visible at Recovery Walks, around 26 of them, including the Irish Walk in Dublin, the Scots walk in Glasgow and the UK Walk in Durham. Other communities held family fun days, music festivals, dance events, film nights, harm reduction cafés’, plays, sports events, workshops and Unity days. The variety of events in Recovery Month, the passion behind them, was incredible & inspiring. It was a month dedicated to community building & hope. The UKRF believes we all need a month like this; highlighting our similarities as human beings, the core values that connect us and the belief that we can, all of us, recover. A month in these austere angry times dedicated to the nurturing of empathy and the recovery of community. If you’d like to learn more about the UKRF and the growing Recoverist Movement get in touch: Alistair@ukrf.org.uk
AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
23
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
The 26th International Recovery Month now draws to a close which saw people across the UK organising at least 150 local events from Aberdeen to Bristol celebrating the fact that recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs is a lived reality in their lives (compared to around 100 events in 2014). The highlight of Recovery Month in the UK, and the largest gathering of people in recovery in Europe, is the annual UK Recovery Walk. This year the 7th UK Recovery Walk was held in Durham, writing another chapter in the history of addiction recovery in the UK. At the recovery, spirituality and families conference in Durham Cathedral the day before the walk and the walk itself on Saturday 12th September, we went some way in the North East and across the UK to challenging the social stigma attached to addiction experienced by families, organisations, fellowship programs, neighbourhoods and whole communities. Many of us have, for too long, knelt with bowed heads, not in humility or prayer, but in shame. Recovery Month celebration events have grown beyond what anyone here in the UK could have predicted. Local recovery celebration events that once welcomed a few dozen brave participants grew into the hundreds and with the walks and now the recovery festivals we have seen thousands now regularly taking part. In September, in community after community, across the UK recovering people and their families and friends will fill parks and streets as far as the eyes can see–an ocean of lives touched and transformed by recovery. More than 650 recovery celebration events were scheduled across the world and such events will also transpire around the world–from Vancouver to Cape Town, from Tokyo to London. I never expected to live to see a day when hundreds of thousands of people in recovery representing diverse pathways of recovery would be marching publicly as “people in recovery” under 24
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
a single banner: ‘There are multiple pathways of addiction recovery and ALL are cause for celebration!’ We celebrate with FAVOR the belief that differences cease to be a threat, and we experience true joy for another whose pathway recovery is different than our own.
of
During International Recovery Month we had the opportunity to publicise that when we stopped claiming that our way is the TRUE way and instead claim only that it works today for us and celebrate all the pathways to recovery.
There have been many people who have worked tirelessly all over the UK to make sure recovery month events went off without a hitch but with much fun and many games, with many people gaining new skills and friends along the way. It’s fantastic to see it go from strength to strength. With the conference and with the 7th UK recovery walk in Durham this year – many of the people of the North East got to know, see and feel what recovery is. As a charity we are grateful for that and even more so for how the people of the North East worked with, cared for and loved us at the charity. It has been a superb year and we will desperately miss you all. Next year’s UK Recovery Walk will be held in Halton. We are also now open to notes of interest and applications for the hosting of The UK Recovery Walk in 2017 – see our website for more details: www.facesandvoicesofrecoveryuk.org/ uk-recovery-walk-2017/ AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
25
CONNECT CONNECT
BE BE ACTIVE ACTIVE
TAKE TAKE NOTICE NOTICE
KEEP KEEP LEARNING LEARNING
SERENITY CAFE LAUNCH
GIVE GIVE
Should being in recovery be all about treatment, detoxing and meetings? Whilst that is vital to recovery, the Intact Centre wanted to use their newly extended building to create a safe, dry, space for people in recovery to get dressed up, make new friends, have fun and feel part of the community. Intact and Red Rose Recovery are going to make this happen ... and very soon. Intact recently secured a grant from ‘Awards for All’, and have also applied for additional funds via RRR, from their Building Recovery in Communities (BRiC) fund to help to set up ‘The Serenity Café.’ Initially the café will run on Friday evenings, starting with activities such as: cinema nights, quizzes, games nights, dry club nights and pamper sessions. “We want service users to become volunteers, giving service users ownership of the café” said Helen Dixon Project Development Manager at Intact, “This way, they can decide what activities they want. Initially we are looking to employ a sessional worker, who understands the issues facing people in recovery and we will be turning to RRR to help us to identify the right person.” This will happen October / November. Email – Helen.dixon@intact-preston.org.uk or Iain.mackie@intact-preston.org.uk 01772 760760 Follow us on Twitter - @intactcentre The Intact Centre 49 Whitby Ave Ingol Preston Lancashire PR2 3YP 26
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine
www.Intact-preston.org.uk
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN MORECAMBE Steve Watson This project in Morecambe has got Asset Based Community Development written all over it. The local Salvation Army Centre had heard about the good work we do around projects and asked if we could help with a “vision “ that Jane the manager of the centre had been harbouring for a while but didn’t have the help.
The volunteers from Red Rose sat down and came up with a plan to build a space that would be safe for the kiddies and a chill out area for everyone. We are only 5 weeks in but the guys have managed to cut back all the hedges and long grass and prepare the groundwork for the two areas. All this has been possible because of good community Spirit and our friends at Inspire and The Well all mucking in to contribute to an amazing worthy cause. We will keep you posted on our progression and I am sure our relationship with our Salvation Army will grow from strength to strength. Want to get involved with any North Lancashire RRR projects? Contact: steve@RedRoseRecovery.org.uk / 07535891647
AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
27
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
CSI is designed to support those on the road to recovery by helping them to adopt more active and healthier lifestyles – supporting a number of the five steps to well-being. Those involved in the pilot phase have reported developing confidence and self- esteem as a result – as well as feeling healthier! CSI has been supported by Sport England with an award of £500,000 from the National Lottery as part of their Get Healthy, Get Active funding. Partnership working has been key to this success with The Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, Public Health Lancashire, Cumbria and Lancashire Community Rehabilitation Company and the Lancashire Sport partnership providing additional funding and Red Rose Recovery supporting throughout the development of the project.
CSI aims to set up a successful programme for those in recovery, which could be replicated across the country – so that more and more people benefit from this kind of provision. This year will cover Lancaster & Morecambe; Blackpool/Fleetwood; Hyndburn/Burnley and Leyland/Preston. 28
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine
GIVE
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
If you think that your group/organisation would benefit from working with us then please contact the Project Coordinator - Jane Moodie email: - jmoodie@lancashiresport.org.uk mobile: 07960 340142 Interested in finding out what activies are on in your area? Get in touch with your local CSI Support Worker!
Leyland & Preston - Paul Reilly 07474 615073 preilly@lancashiresport.org.uk
Hyndburn - Zac Halstead
0772 644600. zhalstead@lancashiresport.org.uk
Fleetwood, Lancaster/Morecambe & Blackpool Scott Buchanan – 07724656681 sbuchanan@lancashiresport.org.uk
AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
29
CONNECT
30
Autumn 2015 |
BE ACTIVE
AFFINITY Maga zine
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
FUN PAGE Can you find all the recovery words?
Name: Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Word Search Maker
D
C
W
I
A
F
F
I
N
I
T
Y
N
X
N
E
P
M
P
U
D
Y
T
S
E
N
O
H
E
A
P
A
X
E
T
T
F
E
M
K
G
J
V
I
S
T
E
P
K
D
C
V
G
I
H
C
H
R
B
J
H
Y
L
I
O
O
N
E
K
H
G
A
V
V
I
O
Q
I
S
C
X
F
E
Y
P
B
N
F
I
O
R
L
W
N
G
M
Y
P
U
F
A
T
O
H
D
O
E
E
G
U
Y
G
O
P
H
M
H
S
F
L
V
X
G
L
T
N
V
A
O
N
Q
M
I
M
E
U
V
N
X
K
U
C
I
I
L
E
S
C
U
U
I
N
L
K
R
N
I
I
Y
A
S
S
C
R
V
P
P
L
N
T
D
N
I
K
P
I
G
O
N
F
U
E
D
P
O
E
S
L
X
E
I
P
R
I
O
T
P
M
H
R
Z
E
X
N
O
T
O
B
P
W
C
F
S
A
W
Y
H
T
O
I
I
P
S
W
C
X
D
E
V
Y
I
I
U
F
E
K
H
S
X
E
P
O
F
R
E
E
N
I
V
G
V
U
T
L
R
L
V
T
O
N
R
H
I
R
G
D
C
A
L
H
X
B
O
L
P
C
P
R
P
D
L
T
K
E
E
G
D
E
R
E
W
O
P
M
E
D
E
E
U
S
T
R
S
N
L
Y
G
T
L
K
D
F
F
F
Y
E
Z
N
E
B
O
T
T
R
X
G
Y
L
I
M
A
F
Z
D
L
L
D
G
T
K
I
G
E
C
N
E
N
I
T
S
B
A
U
K
S
C
I
T
M
B
F
H
D
A
Q
X
C
O
N
N
E
C
T
A
U
Q
H
H
I
L
A
A
H
T
T
C
U
A
L
H
N
I
U
U
B
O
Q
P
D
Y
ABSTINENCE
CONNECT
FRIENDS
INDEPENDENT
ACHIEVE
COURAGE
GIVE
INSPIRE
AFFINITY
EMPOWERED
HIGHERPOWER
KEEPLEARNING
BEAUTIFUL
FAMILY
HONESTY
SPONSOR
COMMUNITY
FREE
HOPE
STRENGTH
TAKENOTICE
AFFINITY Maga zine
| Autumn 2015
31
CONNECT
BE ACTIVE
TAKE NOTICE
KEEP LEARNING
GIVE
Something You Can Call Home a documentary film by Rebecca Kenyon
A former marine with a government career, a student (and female impersonator) living under a bridge the face of homelessness is changing rapidly. Some make the transition͞ others fall deeper through the cracks. With both intimacy and touches of dark humour, Something You Can Call Home set in the coastal city of Wilmington, North Carolina explores what’s essential for physical and emotional survival. London based filmmaker Rebecca Kenyon was initially drawn to people finding no choice but to live in their cars, a trend more widespread in the U.S. With family over there, themselves affected by redundancy and high medical bills, she was subsequently invited to be resident at Cucalorus Film Festival whilst making the feature documentary. Lancasterbased associate producer Phil Parker has been very involved throughout, and this twoperson team at Mote of Dust Films began the project shortly before the 2012 presidential elections. To date, the film has had 40 U.S community screenings and 18 U.S film festival screenings, winning 8 awards. It recently premiered in London at the Arthouse Crouch End, with collaborators including the Homeless Film Festival and YMCA. One of several events since then will include screening as part of Metamorphosis Open Cinema at Lancaster Central Library, Market St, LA1 1HY on January 5th 2016 and starting at 6.30pm. Check the website for more details: www.somethingyoucancallhome.com See the trailer at: http://vimeo.com/moteofdustfilms 32
Autumn 2015 |
AFFINITY Maga zine