Art, music, fishing and even mixed martial arts are just some of the activities run by the Sheffield Treatment and Recovery Team (START) to help people living in the city struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.
The activities are held each day every week and focus on spending time positively by getting people out and about, trying something new or learning a skill. They are run by recovery workers at START, many of whom are former service users themselves.
Carl Bridden, Community Engagement Coordinator at START said: “Supporting people to learn something new, try something different or get better at a skill or craft is a really powerful tool. Doing something positive and social can help people deal with their addiction and help them to manage or reduce their substance misuse.”
All the recovery activities are open to service users of START, they include:
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
- Recovery Walks
- Gym Group
- Rite Trax Music Group
- Arts and Craft Group
- Fishing Group
Sometimes the activities lead on to events, for example this weekend service users will be putting the mixing skills they’ve learned at the Rite Trax Music Group into practice with a special session at Plot 22. Sunday 24 July from 8pm, free entry and free vibes.
A breakfast club also runs every morning from 10am to 11:30am at 44 Sidney St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4RH.
Find out more about the recovery activities here.
START is part of Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust (SHSC). It is based at two sites in the city centre. Its 125 members of staff support people with drug and alcohol addiction to reduce their dependency.
