Walk to show addicts not alone on road to recovery

Chris Cole uses his lived experience to support those going through crisis

A man who as a teen slept in garden sheds while homeless and using hard drugs says beating addiction is possible - and an event celebrating people's recovery will show it.

Chris Cole, now service manager at charity Good Shepherd Wolverhampton, was part of the bid to bring this year's National Recovery Walk to the city.

The public march on 13 September will include people who have progressed beyond addiction, and is designed to not only raise awareness of the issue but show those struggling with it that recovery can be achieved.

Mr Cole said the event would allow the city "to showcase what recovery looks like" and "challenge any stigma" about the recovery community.

Good Shepherd Wolverhampton provides crisis support including help for those in addiction, recovery, poverty and homelessness.

"Both personally and professionally, I know of our local recovery success stories, the great work carried out by our recovery community, and the inspiring lived experience advocates of the city," said Mr Cole.

"This is our chance to show the rest of the country what recovery means to us and how it's helping to inspire change and develop statutory and voluntary organisations."

He added: "I hope that by raising awareness locally, it will help us to reach those that are yet to be reached and at the very least to plant a seed that recovery is possible and they are not alone."

But things did not always seem so positive for Mr Cole, who has been sharing his personal story.

The bid for the walk was a partnership between Good Shepherd, Wolverhampton Voluntary and Community Action's Service User Involvement Team (SUIT), City of Wolverhampton Council and Recovery Near You

He said he grew up in a chaotic household, and ran away from home as a child.

Leaving school in Year Seven, he entered the care system. By his early teens he was involved in drugs, crime and the criminal justice system.

He eventually became addicted to heroin and crack cocaine, and at 17 was homeless and dependent on drugs, "manipulating" treatment systems to sustain his addiction.

With nowhere to go, he said he would wander the streets at night or sleep in greenhouses or sheds.

'Give people a chance'

His life changed when he engaged with support services that helped him connect with professionals who had lived experience of the issues. He was on his way to recovery.

Now he uses his own experience to support others facing similar challenges, leading the Lived Experience into Action Project (LEAP) at Good Shepherd Wolverhampton.

"The most important thing of all is to give people a chance, a chance to improve themselves and to make a difference," he said.

"Don't give up on someone, be there for them when they are ready to change."

He added: "I am only here now doing what I am doing because people gave me a chance, and that is why I am so fortunate to be in this position where now it is me giving others a chance to take that step forward."

This year's recovery walk will be held at West Park on 13 September and will welcome former addicts, their families and friends.

The walk is one of a range of planned activities, with a "village" to be set up that will host events and performances.