County Durham Drug & Alcohol Recovery Services

15/06/2026

For Cancer Prevention Action Week (15-21 June) a reminder that alcohol causes 7 types of cancer – 17,000 cases in the UK each year. But too few people are aware of the risks.

Let’s talk about alcohol and cancer World Cancer Research Fund

05/06/2026

As Volunteers’ Week draws to a close, we would like to conclude this celebration with one final profile. Meet Naomi, an Ambassador Volunteer for our Women’s Group.

She says she enjoys meeting women in different stages of their recovery, welcoming them into a safe space and “seeing them grow.”

What she loves about volunteering is that “our women can access this group even when caring for children.”

“I personally know how hard it is to find somewhere that you can take your kids with you when trying to connect with others when in recovery.”

Swipe along and read about her journey.

We encourage everyone to look at the Padlet on the Volunteers’ Week website. It’s an online pinboard where you can see inspiring stories of how volunteers have helped shape communities.

Any volunteer is welcome to post their story on the Padlet, but words of thanks and encouragement from members of the public are also welcome.

Have a look at the Volunteers’ Week Padlet: https://padlet.com/volunteersweek/volunteers-week-2026-mvchixauzgtam3eu

If you would like to find out more about volunteering for our service, email [email protected].

This post was made by our volunteer Luke.

03/06/2026

Meet Carmen, the second volunteer featured this week. Carmen is a volunteer for Recovery Academy Durham (RAD).

She loves supporting people who use our service and witnessing the joy on their faces when they achieve something.

To celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we encourage everyone to look at the Padlet on the Volunteers’ Week website. It’s an online pinboard where you can see inspiring stories of how volunteers have helped shape communities.

Any volunteer is welcome to post their story on the Padlet, but words of thanks and encouragement from members of the public are also welcome.

Have a look at the Volunteers’ Week Padlet: https://padlet.com/volunteersweek/volunteers-week-2026-mvchixauzgtam3eu

If you would like to find out more about volunteering for our service, email [email protected].

This post was made by our volunteer Luke.

02/06/2026

Volunteers’ Week is here! To commend and celebrate the many volunteers who make our service what it is, we present the first in a series of profiles on our volunteers, their contributions and their stories.

Meet Amanda. She first came to us for support. She is now a support volunteer in many of our aftercare groups.

To celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we encourage everyone to look at the Padlet on the Volunteers’ Week website. It’s an online pinboard where you can see inspiring stories of how volunteers have helped shape communities.

Any volunteer is welcome to post their story on the Padlet, but words of thanks and encouragement from members of the public are also welcome.

Have a look at the Volunteers’ Week Padlet: https://padlet.com/volunteersweek/volunteers-week-2026-mvchixauzgtam3eu

If you would like to find out more about volunteering for our service, email [email protected].

This post was made by our volunteer Luke.

30/05/2026

Wishing everyone at Durham Pride UK today a happy and safe day!

We've already been so busy speaking to lots of brilliant people here.

If you're at Durham Pride, pop along and say hi!

26/05/2026

22/05/2026

BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend is happening this weekend, right here in the North East.

Festival season is now beginning, and festivals can sometimes mean drinking more than usual or taking drugs. If you’re heading along, it’s important to take precautions to help you stay safe.

We’ve put together some harm reduction tips to help keep the party going.

https://codurhamrecovery.co.uk/advice/smart-partying-essential-safety-tips-for-festivals/

21/05/2026

Our service will be closed on Monday 25 May for the bank holiday.

We will open again as normal on Tuesday 26 May.

Please check directly with your pharmacy about their own opening hours.

Need support in the meantime? Find details about a range of local and national support available at https://codurhamrecovery.co.uk/advice/additional-support/

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

And he’s done it!

Last night, at just after 8pm, Danny finished his challenge at our Centre for Change site in Durham, joined by some of our wonderful colleagues along the last stretch.

We’re incredibly proud of Danny, not only for this challenge, but his ongoing passion for the work that he does and the people that we support.

He is now getting some well deserved rest.