Community / Plenty of events to mark recovery month
A candle event is also taking place in Lerwick tonight for International Overdose Awareness Day
A SERIES of events are taking place in Shetland in September to mark this year’s Recovery Month.
The month is a chance to celebrate and support recovery in all of its forms.
Although the events are being overseen by Shetland Recovery Hub & Community Network, which offers support for people affected by substance use, its manager Amanda Pearson said other local organisations are involved too.
One of the main events is the recovery walk in Lerwick on 7 September.
There will also be ‘recovery cafes’ in Brae, Scalloway and Lerwick through the month which will allow people to come together, socialise and talk about recovery.
Also planned is a ‘conversation cafe’ on Wednesday (4 September) between 6pm and 8pm at the Recovery Hub on Pitt Lane in Lerwick for any family, friends or loved ones of people who use drugs/alcohol or who have died due to a substance related issue.
In addition there will be a recovery month barbecue at the Pitt Lane gardens on 14 September.
A full list of events can be found below.
Pearson said the month is “always about stigma – it’s about reminding people that people are contributing members of our community”.
“Recovery means something different to everybody,” she added.
“For some people recovery means abstinence, and for other people it means being in control of their substance use rather their substance use being in control of them.
“Or a family could be recovered from the loss of somebody.”
Pearson said a key message in recovery month is that it is “our community” which is involved.
“How do we break down the stigma and the barriers?”
With five drug related deaths in Shetland in 2023, Pearson added that “we as a community should be going: what are we doing wrong here?”
She also said there is “institutionalised stigma” experienced by people who use substances and their families.
Before recovery month however is a candlelighting event at the flower park in Lerwick tonight (Saturday) to remember those lost to overdose.
Saturday is International Overdose Awareness Day.
People are invited to drop by the flower park at any time between 8pm and 10pm.
More information on the Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network, which offers support for people who are affected by substance use, can be found here.
Meanwhile anyone looking for support locally is also encouraged to visit the Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership website.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 630 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
