Real stories to challenge stigma during Liverpool Recovery Month 

People rebuilding their lives following challenges with drugs, alcohol, gambling, smoking and mental wellbeing will be at the heart of Liverpool’s Recovery Month this September. 

The citywide campaign will share powerful lived-experience stories to challenge stigma, inspire hope and show residents that recovery is possible. 

Recovery Month is held every September to celebrate the achievements of people in recovery, raise awareness of the support available and encourage open, compassionate conversations about the challenges people may face. 

Led by Liverpool City Council’s Public Health team, the programme brings together people with lived experience, health services, charities and community organisations from across Liverpool and Merseyside. 

Throughout the month, residents will be able to attend free events, meet local support services and take part in activities promoting connection, wellbeing and hope. 

Every recovery journey is different. Recovery can mean making positive changes relating to drug or alcohol use, gambling harms, smoking or mental wellbeing. It can also mean rebuilding relationships, reconnecting with the community or finding a renewed sense of purpose. 

This year’s campaign will focus on three priorities: 

• Challenging the stigma surrounding addiction and mental wellbeing 

• Making recovery more visible 

• Strengthening connections between residents, communities and support services 

The first week will focus on lived experience and community, highlighting the value of peer support, mutual-aid groups, recovery communities and the people who use their experiences to help others. 

Recovery champions, ambassadors and peer supporters can offer understanding without judgement. Their stories can help people feel less isolated, encourage them to seek support and show that there is no single route to recovery. 

The programme also recognises families, friends, carers, professionals and volunteers who support people as they move forward. 

Recovery Month forms part of Liverpool’s wider work to reduce the harms caused by drugs, alcohol, gambling and smoking, improve mental wellbeing and prevent suicide.  

Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said: 
“Behind every recovery story is a person who has shown enormous courage, often with the support of families, friends, professionals and peers. 

“By bringing these stories into the open, we can challenge misconceptions and show that recovery is possible. No one should feel ashamed to ask for help, and no one in Liverpool should have to face these challenges alone.” 

Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, said: 
“Stigma can be a major barrier to seeking support. Recovery Month gives us an important opportunity to change the conversation by listening to people with lived experience and showing residents where they can turn for help. 

“Recovery is rarely a straight line, but with compassion, understanding and the right support, people can improve their health, rebuild relationships and create positive futures.” 

Recovery Month is being delivered with RIVER, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Gambling Harm UK, Smokefree Liverpool, First Person Project CIC, Lifeboat Recovery Community Hub, The Big Life Group, the Alcohol Care Team, Growing Stronger, Sanctuary Family Support, LGBT Foundation, Rotunda, PSS, The Five Children and Families Trust, Change Grow Live and Public Health teams from Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens and Wirral. 

Residents can find recovery and wellbeing support across Liverpool and Merseyside at Liverpool Public Health’s support directory. 

Week one events: lived experience and community 

Residents are encouraged to check with the event provider before attending, as some activities may require advance booking.