A lived experience recovery organisation (LERO) was a new concept to me initially, however after carrying out some research I discovered there are many successful LERO’s operating through out England. The scope of creating a LERO is very broad, and the main feature is that what is on offer is determined by the people who will utilise it as they are best placed to determine what is needed.
With this in mind I got in touch with Dot Smith who is the CEO of Recovery Connections to arrange a visit to try and understand a bit more around the setting up of this type of organisation and ensuring its successful. Recovery Connections covers Middlesborough, Stockton, Gateshead, Sunderland and Darlington in the North East. The organisation was set up 15 years ago but then completely relaunched 8 years ago into the success that it is today. They work extremely close with their local substance/alcohol misuse provider to provide services to assist people with ongoing recovery.
After making the long trip Dot and I had lunch at the recovery connections community café which is a social enterprise offering employment to those in recovery. We had a general chat around all things LERO, I found it very useful to share my views/issues and queries with somebody who has already walked this path, it was good to get reassurance that we are doing things the right way in Kent and the importance of strong foundations was stressed in order to ensure longevity and effectiveness of the LERO.
I had the opportunity to visit the Middlesborough office which gave me the chance to discuss services on offer there from therapy sessions to skill-building workshops and the allotment which also is home to some chickens, the range of activities catered to various aspects of recovery addressing not just the addiction or mental health issues itself but also the underlying factors contributing to it.
We then moved onto Darlington where the staff were serving dinner at the Christmas party where both users and staff were joining together to celebrate the festive season. I had the chance to talk to individuals who shared their recovery experiences and how they had now gained employment or were ambassadors and sharing their experiences for the benefit of others. Each person had a unique story, a different path that led them to Recovery Connections. What united them was their determination and the unwavering support they found within this community.
One of the main things I took from the visit was how large the population is in Kent and the enormity of the task ahead. In order to be successful we need to use various methods including forging relationships and partnerships with other local organisations, healthcare providers, and local government. Collaborating allows for a wider reach and more comprehensive support network. We also need to develop targeted outreach programs to engage with specific areas and diverse communities bearing in mind the need for flexibility to meet the ever-changing needs of the population. We have lots of work to do in Kent but its an exciting prospect and I thank Dot and the Staff at Recovery Connections for their kindness and support in helping us improve things in Kent.
Comentários