In what may be the most ambitious project yet laid out by the volunteers at Reach Out and Recover (ROAR), this month has signalled the beginning of the ROAR campaign to bring SMART recovery meetings 6 new towns across Kent.
At ROAR we believe that every individual recovery is different and it’s important that as many options as possible are available, allowing for each person to find the path which best suits them.
In this case we have taken note of the fact that SMART recovery meetings have helped thousands of individuals elsewhere in the country to free themselves of problematic use of drugs and alcohol, yet face to face meetings are not available to most of us in Kent.
In this article you can find out more about SMART Recovery and exactly what it is we propose.
What is SMART Recovery?
SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a self-help program designed to support individuals in overcoming addiction and unhealthy behaviours. It focuses on empowering people to take control of their recovery through practical tools and techniques.
The program is based on cognitive-behavioural principles and emphasizes self-directed change, encouraging participants to develop coping strategies, set personal goals, and build a fulfilling life.
SMART Recovery meetings typically involve discussions, sharing experiences, and learning skills that help manage cravings and triggers.
The program is structured around a 4-Point Program:
1. Building and Maintaining Motivation
2. Coping with Urges
3. Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviours
4. Living a Balanced Life
SMART Recovery encourages a science-based approach, making it popular in many countries across the world. Meetings are commonly run by those who have found recovery through SMART meetings and gone on to train as facilitators, combining expertise and experience to pass on to new members of the community.
What do we propose?
After lengthy discussion amongst committee members at ROAR, the decision was made that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing properly and thus we began the preparation of an ambitious proposal to bring SMART meetings and the community that comes with them to 6 towns across Kent.
It has been demonstrated elsewhere that attendance of SMART meetings allows people to connect with their peers, building a community of likeminded individuals and learn skills to manage self-destructive and addictive behaviours.
Without a doubt there are people in Thanet, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, Maidstone & Ashford who would greatly benefit from the opportunity to attend. You can find out more about what we propose and the benefits of SMART meetings on our fundraising page here
So what’s next?
In most instances ambitious plans to effect tangible change, do not come without expense and that is certainly true in this case. With our goal clearly laid out, last week signalled the beginning of our push towards funding the initiative. With ROAR volunteer Daisy taking lead on the project, applying for grants and crossing the t’s and dotting the I's on the campaign as a whole, it also falls to us to raise just over £27,000 by the 25th January 2025 in order to move the proposal forward and make SMART in Kent a reality.
Any contribution to the cause is received gratefully, whether it be £50 or 50p, each donation helps us to demonstrate that SMART recovery is important to the people of Kent.
For more information or to make a contribution click here
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