Individuals hitting their 5 Ways to Wellbeing this many times…

Give

And…

thousands of the people we work with achieving life-changing & meaningful hard outcomes, such as…

Reducing contact and attendance with A&E and emergency services

Did you know that a visit to A&E costs on average £1,560, When you factor in emergency care, inpatient admissions, and necessary follow-up treatments?

(Based on NHS England Costings report)

—-

Our work in reducing individuals contact with A&E alone, saved over £600,000 on the public purse throughout 2023/24.

Hours of their time, providing peer support, group facilitation, help at community projects, and much more.

Using the minimum wage a baseline, at £10.42 per hour during 2023/24, our volunteers contributed over  £38,731 into our communities.

At Red Rose Recovery, we believe in…

Recovery Infrastructure Organisation

Lancashire county council

Red Rose are commissioned by Lancashire County Council’s Public Health Team to deliver a Recovery Infrastructure Organisation (RIO).

For us this means that we:

• Demonstrate visible recovery, and the various routes to this.
• Build and maintain a vibrant recovery community in Lancashire.
• Provide groups, projects, community events and volunteering opportunities for people in recovery to participate in.
• Support the Lancashire User Forum to provide service users in Lancashire a voice and use this to influence service design, to celebrate recovery, to educate the community and to reduce stigma.
• To manage the Building Recovery in Communities (BRiC) fund to enable projects, for and/or supporting those in recovery to bid for public funds to kickstart their business.

In 2023-24 we had…

attendances at our groups, Projects & Events

Red Rose Recovery’s partnership with Lancashire County Council has yielded remarkable results over the past year, demonstrating the profound impact of our collaborative efforts. Through our role as a Recovery Infrastructure Organisation, we have delivered 3,145 group sessions and facilitated 23,770 attendances, showcasing the extensive reach and engagement of our activities.

Our innovative approach has proven to be highly cost-effective, returning £34 for every £1 spent on group delivery and attendances, and £26 for every £1 invested in reducing substance misuse within our communities. These impressive figures underscore our commitment to creating lasting, positive change in Lancashire.

A Snapshot of Red Rose Recovery’s Core Substance Recovery Work over the last year…

What a year Red Rose Recovery has had across Lancashire! It has been a pleasure to be part of all the greatness we have achieved over the last 12 months and to be involved in so many people’s journeys. We have facilitated groups, projects, events, and much more over the past year.

One of the first projects we embarked on in 2023 was establishing a relationship between Red Rose Recovery and Place Gym Preston, setting up our very own gym and wellbeing group. This initiative continues to thrive, with excellent attendance and positive feedback from our service users. We hope to continue this for years to come, as it serves a valuable purpose within our community.

Additionally, we collaborated with an independent florist who specializes in making flower crowns. She delivered a session for our service users at our office, which was a massive success. The feedback was fantastic, highlighting how the activity boosted people’s confidence and connection. It was a memorable team-building exercise that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

Our charity football team completed its second year, doing good work in the community and raising money for local causes. One notable effort was supporting RIO, a young boy fighting cancer. The team members have expressed that being part of the football team gives them a sense of belonging and purpose. We will continue this initiative, with recovering addicts and ex-cons raising money for charities in the community.

Our outreach efforts to the general public have been impactful. We aimed to share what we do at Red Rose Recovery and spread messages of hope and inspiration. For example, we partnered with the local Matalan, setting up a station at their entrance to engage with passers-by. This effort had a great response, demonstrating visible recovery within the community.

Helping the homeless has always been a core part of our mission. This year, we continued our amazing work on the streets of central Lancashire, providing food and connections to the homeless community. Our dedicated volunteers go out and support these individuals four nights a week, a commitment they have maintained for several years.

Our staff team has undergone extensive training over the last 12 months to be equipped for any scenario when helping others. We have completed self-defense training, first aid training, naloxone training, and much more. Our team loves to learn and grow, eagerly embracing any opportunity to enhance our education and knowledge.

Across Lancashire, our community groups have been phenomenal. We run upwards of 50 face-to-face groups and drop-ins every week, offering a range of support options for our beneficiaries. The popularity of our Breakfast Club, which runs on Mondays and Tuesdays, continues to grow, providing our beneficiaries a place to start their day positively. The Risk of Relapse group, now volunteer-led, runs three times a week in Lancaster, Morecambe, and St Annes, with volunteers having upskilled themselves to lead this structured group effectively.

The 5 Ways to Wellbeing group remains a staple, attracting over 20 people per session. Our Women’s Group has also flourished, becoming 100% volunteer-led and engaging in various projects such as model building and a book club. We now run two mental health groups across the locality, alongside our weekly Dual Diagnosis group, covering topics like stress management, anxiety, and depression. Our mixed Pilates group and subsequent Boxing Bootcamp allow beneficiaries to relax and channel their energy positively. Here and Now, followed by Creative Therapy, has seen beneficiaries producing amazing watercolor paintings, while the Men’s Group continues to provide a safe space for men to share their feelings and build positive relationships.

The Craft & Chat group, held every Monday morning, remains a firm favorite. Activities like pebble painting, flower crown making, and origami help promote mindfulness and self-worth among participants. The No Excuses Boxing group, also on Monday mornings, is another popular offering that benefits both physical and mental wellbeing. Led by professional boxing coach Mo, this group is free for all participants.

Funday Monday wraps up with a lively Bingo session, which has become so popular that it is now held weekly, with prizes donated by local businesses. The Community Café at Micki Morgans in Accrington on Tuesday mornings offers peer support in a relaxed setting. The Here & Now group on Tuesday afternoons provides a safe space for sharing feelings and experiences.

Dancercise, held on Tuesday afternoons, has grown in popularity, with participants so committed they have put on performances. The Café Connection group on Wednesday mornings in Haslingden provides connection opportunities in a semi-rural area. Garden & Grow, restarted to coincide with better weather, involves planting and maintaining flower beds, with painted pebbles from the Craft group used as decorations.

The COTS – Brew & Chat group on Thursday mornings in Burnley offers a drop-in space for socializing and support. The Warrior Women group on Thursday afternoons focuses on empowerment and positivity, creating jars of positive affirmations. The Snooker Loopy group on Thursday afternoons in Accrington provides a social and inclusive environment for playing snooker and pool.

The Comfort Zone group, held at Inspire in Burnley, supports connection during recovery, offering a friendly space for sharing thoughts and feelings. Reachout for Men on Friday afternoons provides a safe space for men to discuss their feelings and build connections.

Red Rose Recovery has also made significant strides through events and outreach. We hosted a HALS seminar at Lancaster Hospital in January, showcasing the work done at Red Rose. February saw us hold a Valentine’s LUF in Heysham, themed around self-love and community, featuring Hep C testing, stalls from CGL, Safenet, Acorn Recovery, and more. Beneficiaries enjoyed free haircuts, talks, lived experience stories, and workshops on mindfulness, nutrition, and outdoor activities.

In January, one of our community engagers Emily, alongside lead volunteer Wayne, attended Accrington & Rossendale College to educate students about substance misuse. Wayne shared his experiences as a volunteer, inspiring others to make positive contributions to the community. For International Women’s Day, we participated in an event at King Georges Hall in Blackburn, showcasing services available to women in the community.

We continued our partnership with Bee Adventures, sending 16 beneficiaries out twice a month into the Lake District for walking and learning experiences. Additionally, we have maintained excellent working partnerships with CGL, hosting their staff once a week for drop-ins and running three groups from the Inspire buildings. This year, we saw an increase in referrals from Social Care, playing key roles in care plans and helping service users regain access to their children.

Our groups have consistently been well attended throughout the year. We have many groups active across Lancashire, with other constantly in the process of being developed. Our localities have achieved thousands upon thousands of positive outcomes, with increased group attendance figures year on year. Our partnerships have been crucial in this success, providing us with the support and collaboration needed to continue our mission.

Overall, 2023/24 has been a remarkable year for Red Rose Recovery, filled with growth, community engagement, and impactful projects. We look forward to continuing this momentum and making even more significant strides in the future.

Mental Health Services

We are commissioned to deliver several Mental Health based contracts throughout Lancashire & South Cumbria, which includes, amongst others, Mental Health Peer Support, Long-Covid, Dual Diagnosis, Initial Response and Harm Reduction Support Services.

OUR MENTAL HEALTH CONTRACTS IN A NUTSHELL…

MENTAL HEALTH PEER SUPPORT

OVERVIEW OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PEER SUPPORT CONTRACT

Over the past 12 months, our Mental Health Peer Support service has made significant strides in supporting individuals with mental health challenges, with notable successes and positive feedback reflecting our impact. In addition, our service has maintained a rigorous schedule of NHS and ICB integrated operational meetings, EMDT meeting participation across various regions, ICB transformation meetings and world café events, all of which contributes to the broader mental health landscape for Lancashire and South Cumbria. 

Feedback from NHS Community Mental Health Team workers has been exceptionally positive. During a recent conversation, a worker expressed appreciation for the progress made with a client, acknowledging the effective support provided. Another worker has highlighted the significant transformation of a male client who was initially reluctant to leave his home. Through our joint efforts, this client is now engaging in support groups and independently attending shopping trips, demonstrating notable improvement in his daily life – one of just many NHS CMHT employee testimonials. 

The service supports individuals with a range of diverse and specific needs. For instance, the service has assisted a client in remaining abstinent and gradually re-engaging with the community after many years of isolation. Another similar client had their first outside walk in many months around Gawthorpe Hall, which they enjoyed due to their interest in art. Feedback from clients, such as a heartfelt thank you from one who described on of our employees as a “kind soul,” highlights the personal impact of our support. 

Alongside the services core focus of mental health recovery, our work has also involved supporting individuals with substance abuse issues. For example, a client struggling with addiction has made significant progress, including two weeks of sobriety and engagement with external support groups. Additionally, we have helped clients dealing with low self-esteem and debt issues. One client has made impressive strides in weight loss and physical activity, while another has received assistance in managing and negotiating debt repayments. 

In summary, the Mental Health Peer Support service has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the mental health and overall well-being of our clients. The significant progress made, alongside the positive feedback received, underscores the effectiveness of our approach and the dedication of our team.

Long Covid Service

Overview of the Long Covid Service

Over the past year, Red Rose Recovery’s Long Covid Service has provided comprehensive support to individuals affected by Long Covid. Upon receiving referrals, our team contacts the referrer to understand the client’s needs and assess any risks. Following this, we reach out to the client and arrange an initial engagement session, attended by two staff members. During this session, we collaborate with the client to develop a tailored support plan. Regular follow-up is maintained through face-to-face meetings or phone calls to ensure ongoing support.

Success Stories and Impact

Our service has achieved notable successes, including helping a client secure a Personal Independence Payment (PIP), enabling her to reduce work hours. Another client, initially housebound, now participates in social groups. We assisted a client with brain fog and a brain injury in enrolling for a fine art degree, securing both Universal Credit and PIP. One isolated and anxious client regained confidence after we intervened with her employer to agree on reduced work hours. Additionally, we supported a client facing multiple challenges, including substance abuse and legal issues, leading to a conditional discharge from court contingent on continued engagement with Red Rose Recovery.

Testimonial

JB, a beneficiary of our service, shared their experience of receiving invaluable support from the Red Rose Recovery team. Initially referred by the NHS Long Covid Team, JB benefited from the guidance and assistance of caseworkers Vicky, Orla, and Emily, who provided crucial help with benefit claims, emotional support, and creating a weekly Long Covid Support Group. This group became a lifeline for many, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. JB’s testimony highlights the team’s dedication, empathy, and effectiveness in providing tailored support, significantly improving the lives of those affected by Long Covid.

Liaison & Diversion and RECONNECT

Criminal Justice Work

Almost half of the people using probation services have a drug and/or alcohol misuse need (HMIP, 2021).

 

Substance use interventions are vital given that drug-related deaths have increased by 80% since 2012, and the harms from drug misuse cost £19.3 billion per year (DHSC, 2021)

Over the past year, our criminal justice programme has made a substantial impact in supporting 55 individuals in their efforts to reduce re-offending, providing an economic benefit of £8 for every £1 spent.

Through a multifaceted approach that combines personalised interventions, comprehensive support services, and ongoing engagement, we have successfully contributed to significant behavioural and lifestyle changes among participants.

Our Criminal Justice team has been instrumental in providing vital support to hundreds of individuals across Lancashire and Cumbria over the past year. Operating within a complex network of agencies, we have maintained a consistent presence in nine police custody suites, six prisons, and within the heart of local communities. Our collaborative approach has seen us work seamlessly alongside the probation service, the NHS, including the Liaison and Diversion and Reconnect teams, forensic mental health services, community policing teams, including integrated offender management officers, and local authorities.

This comprehensive engagement has enabled us to offer a continuum of support, from the initial stages of arrest through to incarceration and reintegration into the community. Our services encompass a wide range of interventions, including risk reduction strategies, group-based support, mental wellbeing enhancement, one-to-one counselling, and access to recovery resources. By tailoring our approach to individual needs, we aim to break the cycle of reoffending and empower service users to lead fulfilling lives. 

A key component of our work has been the development and implementation of the Liaison and Diversion service in partnership with the NHS. Our Peer Support Workers, who possess lived experience of the criminal justice system, are embedded within several custody suites. These dedicated individuals build rapport with vulnerable detainees, providing empathy, guidance, and signposting to appropriate community services. 

Furthermore, we have taken on a pivotal role in the more recently established Reconnect service, operating within six prisons across the region. This initiative focuses on supporting high-risk prisoners both before and after release, with the aim of preventing reoffending and facilitating successful reintegration. By identifying unmet needs and connecting individuals with relevant services, we strive to create a smoother transition back into the community and improve long-term outcomes.

changing futures

What is Changing Futures?

Nationally, Changing Futures is a government initiative led by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, who have allocated £64 million over the 3 years of the project. The aim is to improve outcomes for adults experiencing multiple disadvantages, as well as delivering long-term system change.

Throughout Lancashire, it will support people with multiple and complex needs to make lasting positive change – through multi agency, trauma informed and ACEs approaches facilitated by lived experience navigators, associate navigators and peer mentors.

Navigators use their lived-experience to build trust and confidence in the system, connecting beneficiaries to Services and advocating on their behalf. 

Changing Futures is a learning pilot to inform future working and drive system change across the Lancashire footprint, with an emphasis on sharing our learning with partners.

Our (Red Rose Recovery’s) Role in Changing Futures

Red Rose Recovery’s role within Changing Futures is to provide a team of lived experience staff in both Central and East Lancashire, consisting of Navigators, Associate Navigators and Peer Mentors, supporting individuals with multiple disadvantage.

The team work intensively for up to 12 months with these ‘beneficiaries’ and seek to use a trauma informed, person-centred approach to gain the trust of people who usually feel that they have been let down by services and have a mis-trust or fear of them. The team can engage with the beneficiaries on a different level to most services.

Roots Community is a forum advocating for recovery in the Blackburn-with-Darwen area. By bringing together individuals who have been affected by addiction alongside partner organisations in the recovery sector, the Community seeks to:

• empower and amplify the voices of people accessing services through the maxim ‘nothing about us without us’;
• build recovery capital through the creation of training, development, volunteering and employment opportunities;
• develop positive, practical solutions to the systemic challenges faced by Community members.

Roots Community is a sister organisation to the Lancashire User Forum, a pioneering collective which has grown since its inception in 2006 to become one of the largest forums of its kind in the UK. 

Roots Community: A Year of Recovery and Resilience

Roots Community, nestled in the heart of Blackburn-with-Darwen (BwD), has been a beacon of hope and transformation for individuals on their recovery journey. As we reflect on the past year, we celebrate the collective efforts, resilience, and positive change that define Roots. Here are the highlights:

Event Success and Community Engagement

• Roots Forum Gatherings: Throughout the year, Roots hosted a series of community forums, bringing together individuals in recovery, professionals, and local stakeholders. These gatherings provided a safe space for sharing experiences, learning, and advocating for better support systems.
• Record Attendance: Our forums consistently drew attendees—ranging from 54 to an impressive 105—showcasing the growing interest and commitment within our community.
• Emotive Lived Experience Shares: Local heroes like Kya, Glenn, Rachel, and Lewis stepped forward to share their personal journeys. From overcoming addiction to finding purpose, their stories resonated with everyone present.
• Expert Panels and Self-Reflection: The Expert Panel sessions became a hallmark of Roots Forum. Lived experience members, police representatives, and service providers engaged in candid discussions. These panels fostered self-reflection, increased awareness, and sparked meaningful conversations.

Staff Recruitment and Opportunities

• Local Talent: Roots Community proudly recruited two part-time staff members from within the local recovery community. Their presence not only strengthened our team but also demonstrated that recovery is not just possible—it can lead to meaningful employment.
• Inspiring Others: These staff members became living proof that recovery isn’t an isolated journey. Their stories inspired others, showing that transformation is within reach.

Community Initiatives and Impact

• Guerilla Gardening: Waste ground in Blackburn transformed into vibrant green spaces. With over 20 planters now in place, our community garden project symbolizes growth, resilience, and beauty emerging from neglected spaces.
• Beat Sweep and Collaborative Efforts: Roots members joined forces with the Police, BwD Council, Fire Service, and Together Housing. Together, we cleaned up Galligreaves estate, educated residents, and built bridges between agencies. Suspicion turned into collaboration, and stigma began to fade.
• Breastfeeding Awareness Week: Roots actively supported this initiative, emphasizing holistic well-being and community care.

Looking Forward

• Speaker Bootcamp Badges: Roots will continue assessing members for Speaker Bootcamp badges. These awards recognize communication skills and empower individuals to share their recovery stories confidently.
• Enhanced Service Delivery: Additional OHID funds are requested to employ permitted hours staff. This expansion will allow us to serve the recovery community and SPARK service more effectively.
• Framing Freedom: The Recovery Ramblers: Our new Monday activity combines walking, connection, and photography—a refreshing way to promote well-being.
• Continued Impact: Roots remains committed to challenging stigma, fostering collaboration, and being a force for good in BwD.

Roots Community’s journey is one of resilience, hope, and shared purpose. As we move forward, we carry the stories of those who transformed their lives and the spirit of a community that refuses to give up. Together, we’ll continue sowing seeds of recovery, nurturing growth, and celebrating every step toward healing.

North Yorkshire Connected Spaces

What is NYCS…

A year ago, a group of like-minded individuals gathered in Harrogate (North Yorkshire) with the support of Red Rose Recovery. Recognising the community’s needs, we embarked on a journey to create a lived experience recovery organisation.

Over the past year, we’ve built partnerships with various organisations and services to strengthen recovery efforts. In September, we launched with an open forum attended by around 50 people, where real-life stories were shared, and other organisations presented their work. The Police and Crime Commissioner attended, resulting in secured funding for the local boxing club, now benefiting vulnerable adults and children.

Since September, we have hosted six forums, which have become the heart of Connected Spaces. These forums provide community support, allowing individuals to voice their needs and learn about available resources. We also conduct monthly community and family litter picks, engaging with locals and discussing our services.

Our weekly bingo sessions at the homeless project engage around 14 clients, providing an opportunity to connect with those who are vulnerable. Additionally, we’ve initiated a peer-to-peer support group for weekly check-ins.

Recently, we had the opportunity to present our vision on the main stage at the National Drink and Drug News conference, showcasing how Connected Spaces has evolved into a thriving lived experience recovery organisation.

NYCS Projects…

North Yorkshire Connected Spaces hold monthly cleanups, targeting the local areas to help make a difference to the community and allowing us to connect and network with the public in the process. 

To date, we have successfully completed eight cleanups in the Bilton, Jennyfield, Starbeck, Fairfax, and town centre areas. 

Volunteers from Starbeck in Bloom, North Yorkshire Council, Womens Institute and members of the public have all contributed to assist us in keeping our local community tidy.  

The team always have a great time, there is plenty of laughs to be had and it’s a fantastic opportunity to engage, network and connect with others while keeping Harrogate clean with a free hot sandwich and drink to enjoy afterwards.