Drugs and alcohol are the two leading causes of death in York for those between the ages of 15 and 49.
City of York Council aims to support more people on their journey to recovery from addiction.
The council is actively working with a number of recovery organisations in York to bring a city centre recovery hub to life.
The hub, based on Wellington Row, will make it easier for people with substance use disorders to seek help. This is set to be endorsed by the council’s Executive when they’re asked to support a new contract at a public meeting on 15 July, to award York in Recovery CIC to lease and manage the Community Recovery Hub.
Cllr Lucy Steels- Walshaw, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said:
“The recovery hub is providing a recovery-oriented facility to those residents who need this type of specialist support, in the heart of York. Endorsement of the Inclusive Recovery Cities initiative shows a strong council commitment to making recovery accessible and sustainable for more people, while sending a strong signal that those in recovery in our city have the right support behind them on their journey.”
A pilot of how a Community Recovery Hub could work took place 18 months ago, and the opportunity has now come to The Hub, Wellington Row, which is owned by the council, as a more permanent base for this work.
Mark Green from York in Recovery said:
“At York In Recovery, we know from lived experience that stigma is one of the greatest barriers preventing people from reaching out for the help they need when struggling with substance use. Stigma isolates people, delays access to support and too often costs lives.
“Recovery from addiction can be as lonely as when in addiction, we can all play our part in changing that narrative because recovery is real and when the right help support, and compassion are offered at the right time, people not only survive – they thrive.
“The Recovery Hub will be a place for recovery curious individuals as much as for those who are already in the recovery community, it will be a beacon of hope to many and will support the work underway with the Inclusive Recovery Cities initiative.
“York In Recovery are excited about the future and what will grow from the Recovery Hub.”
