An industrial unit, owned by Salford City Council, in Orchard Street, is to be turned into the city’s first ever recovery community centre which will form part of the Achieve Salford Recovery Service.
Local residents who have beaten drug and alcohol addiction will use the base to support others in their recovery with groups, activities and events.
And the building will also be used by professionals to provide therapy and training, helping people refresh their trade skills or learn new ones to help them find work.
The project, which is funded by Public Health England, has also been met with a £100,000 contribution from service provider Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMW) to help develop the centre.
Director of public health David Herne said the unique centre would become a focal point for a growing number of people recovering from addiction – and will also be available for local community groups to use for their activities.
“People who have recovered from addition often want to help others succeed and we’ve always encouraged them to do so. Long term and sustained recovery relies very heavily on people getting support from others who’ve been there and understand addiction, as well as community groups and professionals,” he said.
“This new centre will give them a base to work from and create a focal point so people can get a wide range of help and support. We will be creating a cafe on site for everyone to use and will have space for people to refresh their trade skills, such as joinery or electrical work so they can get back to the jobs they used to do.”
The building will be managed by Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, which is commissioned by Salford City Council to provide drug and alcohol recovery services under the Achieve Partnership. The Partnership also includes local charities THOMAS and Early Break (which helps young people), Greater Places Housing Group and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.
Carol Marsh, Service Manager for Achieve Salford Recovery Service said “As well as offering support to individuals, the centre will also provide a place for family members and carers to receive the help and support they need from their loved ones addiction.
“We recognise that recovery is more than the absence of addiction. It involves the development of opportunities for personal development, wellbeing and increased access to social groups and activities in order to help on the road to recovery.”
Work will start over the summer and the centre is expected to open for Christmas.
