Former Addicts Conquer Denbigh Moors’ Challenges On Their Journey to Recovery

A group of men and women have battled ferocious winds and the bitter cold to help conquer their drug and alcohol addiction.

The sixteen-strong intrepid group from Wrexham and Shotton, took to the Denbigh Moors last week for two action packed days to celebrate the completion of their journey to recovery through an innovative 12 week programme piloted by health and wellbeing charity ARCH.

The programme has also led to the creation of pioneering partnerships with Wrexham Glyndwr University, Active Adventure North Wales and Connah’s Quay’s Wepre Park.

ARCH’s Health and Wellbeing facilitator Ramsey Morsy said: “It has been immensely rewarding to see our service users grow in strength, confidence and self-belief through this pilot programme, which we are now offering to new clients with the continuing and invaluable support of our partners.”

Over the two days the charity’s clients went gorge walking, abseiling and raft building led by former Royal Marine and founder of Active Adventure North Wales Neil Davies, who has helped ARCH service users brave a series of outward bound challenges.

He said: “It has been a genuine pleasure and a privilege to work with ARCH’s service users over the past three months.

“They have thrown themselves into every challenge set them from climbing Snowdon in high winds to cycling in driving rain with a determination to succeed that I have found very inspiring.”

The courses are fully funded by Wrexham Glyndwr University Careers Team through their ground-breaking A Degree Of Responsibility (ADOR) programme.

Lucy Jones, ADOR Project co-ordinator at Wrexham Glyndwr University, said: “We are delighted to be able to build strong partnerships that enhance skill development and employability.

“I have witnessed at first hand the commitment of ARCH’s service users to their recovery, which not only benefits them but also the wider community and the regeneration of our region.”

As part of the programme service users also tackled a series of voluntary tasks in Wepre Park, under the guidance of rangers, from laurel clearing to conservation projects including one to protect the endangered great crested newt.

In developing its unique approach to recovery, ARCH drew on the Five Ways to Wellbeing, an internationally renowned health and wellbeing programme, which is based on evidence that long term improvements in health and wellbeing do help people to transform their lives and sustain their recovery from drug and alcohol problems.

The programme, which promotes sustainable recovery from addiction, has seen their clients overcome personal challenges to learn new skills, develop their resilience and give back to the community.