With You

02/10/2026

Ken is proof that it's never too late to find a new path, especially when that path leads to helping others.

After a 30-year career in IT, Ken found himself at a crossroads. At 63, he took a leap of faith by volunteering for WithYou in Cornwall.

"I was horrified to see how many people were stigmatised and marginalised because of issues with drugs and alcohol. I knew I wanted to make a difference," says Ken.

From the very start of his training, he knew he'd made the right choice.

Volunteering opened Ken's eyes to the challenges people face on their recovery journeys. Inspired by his experience, he went on to become a certified hypnotherapist and qualified counsellor.

With community support and a willingness to take that first step, anyone can find renewed purpose and make a lasting difference in the lives of others. 👏

30/09/2026

As draws to a close, our support continues all year round.

Throughout September, we’ve shared stories of hope and resilience, showing the different ways recovery can look and reminding us that there is no single path to recovery. Recovery takes time, and it rarely happens in a straight line.

Whether you’re already on your recovery journey, considering taking the first step, or looking for support for someone you care about, you don’t have to face it alone.

We’re here to help. Find your nearest WithYou service or speak to a recovery worker through our free, confidential webchat. 💙

29/09/2026

From recovery festivals and Kiltwalks to service events, rounders, picnics and bowling, our teams across the country have had so many opportunities this to come together with clients, partners, friends and family to celebrate and share what recovery means to them.

These are just some of the ways we’ve been championing recovery, celebrating progress and making recovery visible.

Huge thanks to Stoke CDAS, WithYou in BCP, WithYou in East Ayrshire, WithYou in the Borders and WithYou in Darlington for sharing what they've been up to over the past month!

As Recovery Month comes to a close, our support doesn’t. We’re here all year round, supporting people to make positive changes in their lives.

If you’re looking for support or thinking about reaching out, we’re here. 💙

28/09/2026

Before Michelle became a recovery worker with WithYou in Dumfries and Galloway, she had her own journey through substance use, prison and recovery.

Michelle used he**in for 12 years and had been in and out of prison by 2008. After spending Christmas away from her daughter, she knew something had to change.

She joined a local group, learned new skills and eventually found work in a call centre, where she spent 12 years rebuilding her life and supporting her family.

When a friend suggested the Scottish Drugs Forum traineeship, Michelle didn't think she'd be accepted. But she got a place, working towards her Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) through a placement with WithYou.

Today, she supports people with their goals, triggers and coping strategies, leads on injecting equipment provision and runs a weekly women's group she set up in 2024.

Michelle knows recovery isn't always quick or straightforward. She also knows how difficult that first step can be.

"It doesn't matter if somebody's been in a service a hundred times. That hundred-and-first time might be the time they make that change."

This , if you're thinking about reaching out, you don't need to have all the answers. We're here to help. 💙

25/09/2026

25/09/2026

Happy World Pharmacists Day!

Today WithYou is shining a spotlight on the pharmacists and pharmacy teams who play such an important role in supporting people affected by drug and alcohol use across our communities.

Across Wigan & Leigh, local pharmacies are a vital part of our partnership, working closely with our teams to make sure people get the medication, support and reassurance they need.

As one local pharmacist told us:

“People sometimes think the role of a pharmacy is simply supplying medication, but it’s so much deeper than that. We see some of our patients every day, some three times a week and others weekly, so you develop a really strong relationship with them. You get to know their lives, what they’re going through, and when something doesn’t seem right.

“It’s about looking after the whole person. You get happy for them, you get sad for them, you hear about their lives. It’s a professional relationship, but it’s also about being there for people when they need a little bit of a boost.”

That partnership can make a real difference — helping people feel known, supported and able to ask for help when they need it.

A huge thank you to Aoife, our pharmacy partners and to pharmacists everywhere for the role you play in helping people live happier and healthier lives.

24/09/2026

Today we're celebrating the Pharmacist colleagues across our organisation this 👋

Behind the scenes of our drug and alcohol support, highly skilled teams are working every day to help people make positive, lasting changes to their drug and alcohol use.

Their work is an important part of the support we provide, so today we're shining a light on the people behind the scenes who make a real difference everyday.

This year’s theme, ‘Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures’, couldn’t be more fitting for our pharmacy teams. From leadership to client-facing roles, our pharmacists bring specialist knowledge, experience and a unique perspective to our services. They help people get the right support at the right time and work towards a healthier future.

Pictured is our Central Meds Management Team and Cornwall Pharmacy Technicians. Our Director of Pharmacy, Abie Wilson, is celebrating the team:

"On World Pharmacist Day it's a pleasure to shout out to our growing team of highly skilled Pharmacists within the organisation. These professionals provide a unique skill set and perspective, in both leadership and client-facing roles, and go above and beyond to support clients within our services. A big thank you to you all!" 💙

24/09/2026

Meet Lisa Wakely Author: music artist, author and storyteller. ✨

Writing has been part of Lisa’s life since she was 12, and her love of magical stories has stayed with her ever since.

While writing her newest novel, Lisa created a song to step into the world of her protagonist, Mordred, a young musician facing challenges with drugs and alcohol.

That song, ‘I’m A Warrior’, became something much bigger. What started as a creative insight into her character became a powerful release, and an opportunity to raise money and awareness for WithYou.

Lisa also worked with WithYou’s young ambassadors, inviting them to read chapters of her novel and share their thoughts on how experiences with drugs, alcohol and recovery were represented. Their insight helped Lisa make sure these experiences were portrayed honestly and authentically.

When it came to releasing ‘I’m A Warrior’, supporting WithYou was a natural fit. 💙

Lisa says: “Since its release, I have seen the song connect with people who have real experience of addiction, either personally or through someone they love. That has made the project feel much bigger than the fictional character who first inspired it.”

📍 Listen to I’m A Warrior and learn more about Lisa’s story via the link in the comments.

24/09/2026

George never imagined that the support he received from WithYou would one day lead to him helping others.

Now 30, from Guisborough, George experienced challenges with alcohol and drugs from a young age. Over time, his use became increasingly difficult to manage and had a huge impact on his life, relationships and wellbeing.

With support from our team in Redcar & Cleveland, George began his recovery journey. It wasn’t overnight, but gradually he rebuilt his life, found support for his mental health and discovered a sense of purpose.

After volunteering with WithYou, George is now about to start a new chapter – joining the same team who helped him, to support other people on their own journeys.

“WithYou saved my life. Now I have the chance to help someone else.” - George

George’s story is a powerful reminder that recovery can mean more than changing use of drugs or alcohol. It can be about understanding what’s behind your experiences, finding the right support, rebuilding your life and discovering a future you never thought was possible.

If you’re struggling, you’re worth helping. And recovery is possible. ❤️

Read George’s full story: https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/latest/stories/withyou-saved-my-life-now-i-want-to-help-someone-else

24/09/2026

Earlier this month, we joined hundreds of people who came together for this year’s Recovery Festival, starting with a Recovery Walk through the town before Darlington officially joined the Inclusive Recovery Cities movement.

What a brilliant day of recovery, connection, community and celebration in Darlington’s Market Square. 🤝

WithYou alongside STRIDE partners Recovery Connections and Darlington Borough Council, were proud to be part of a day that put recovery right at the heart of the community.

The signing of the Inclusive Recovery Cities Charter was a particularly special moment, with the local Mayor and Director of Public Health joining Dot and Professor David Best to mark Darlington becoming part of an international movement where recovery is visible, valued and celebrated.

The afternoon, hosted brilliantly with music, laughter and plenty of energy to the Market Square, with performances from the Recovery Connections Choir and Band, Jack Ramsey, Jenna Highfield and entertainer Silly Steve.

A massive thank you to everyone who came along, walked alongside us, performed, volunteered, supported the event or simply stopped by to find out more about STRIDE and harm reduction.

Days like this remind us that recovery is about so much more than services. It’s about people, relationships, belonging and having a community around you. 💙