STIGMA
SEEDS OF CHANGE
Volunteering in a tranquil natural setting provides fertile ground for challenging stigma , says Jon Hall
Stigma is well known to people affected by drugs and alcohol . It creates barriers that marginalise , and breeds discrimination and prejudice . It causes exclusion , limits opportunities , and negatively impacts health and wellbeing . People that use substances know inequality well and the shame that accompanies reaching out for support in a stigmatising society . The marginalisation of people affected by drug and alcohol use is also perpetuated by the media and exploited by politicians for political gain .
Yet , amidst the tranquil backdrop of green leafy spaces and lush vegetables carefully planted in neat rows lies a powerful antidote . Phoenix ’ s Recovery Through Nature ( RtN ) programme brings people together to volunteer on a range of hands-on conservation
JACOB ' S STORY and horticultural projects in natural spaces across the country . For many , the sense of community and belonging found on the programme stands in stark contrast to the othering experienced in wider society . RtN offers participants fertile ground in which to nurture new narratives that disrupt and undermine the stereotypes that have often been internalised .
The benefits of RtN reach far beyond the people taking part in the programme . The work that the participants do positively impacts the environment , local wildlife , ecosystems , and the communities that live , work , and visit the areas . Nestled among the vegetation , enveloped in the sounds of nature , the solidarity and social cohesion of the RtN community is almost palpable .
Since 1994 when RtN first began the concept of encouraging team-working in
‘ My first day of RtN was daunting – being around so many people felt quite overwhelming , and I had become used to being isolated . But , coming from such a low place mentally , feeling suicidal , depressed and ashamed , I was ready to try anything . I couldn ’ t talk to anyone about my using , and hiding it reinforced the shame and guilt I felt . Through RtN I met people with similar experiences and that ’ s why the community aspect of it is so integral , because it works . This is one of the best things I ’ ve done . I ’ m surprised as initially I wasn ’ t sure if it was for me . I ’ ve learnt to love myself again and stop apologising for who I am . Rationalising and being myself is becoming more natural to me . I am not afraid of who I am anymore . Volunteering is a leveller , it transcends social and economic status – it ’ s like being a beacon of hope to others who feel excluded and isolated , and the people who usually get the most out of it are those who are resistant in the beginning .'
' the outdoors ', producing positive and tangible results has proved to be an extremely powerful therapeutic tool . The key to the success of RtN is in creating stigma-free , safe spaces that facilitate enjoyable and safe learning environments . The strength of the programme lies in its capacity to encourage genuine bonding and teamworking with peers , and positive change is bought about by people listening and sharing their stories and experiences and learning from and supporting one another .
Peer-to-peer support is an integral part of positive change . For the people taking part in RtN , drawing on their community through voluntary work can be seen as an act of resistance that helps to dismantle powerful and harmful narratives . When we talk about RtN and the people that take part we ’ re conscious not to inadvertently play into and reinforce the redemption narrative . It ’ s well understood some of the stigma people who use substances face is based on moral judgments . There is an implicit expectation of expressions of regret , apology and actions aimed at ‘ redeeming ’ and ‘ giving back ’ to the community . We want to be absolutely clear that RtN is not this .
We know stigma is a complex issue , and so are the systems and policies that help to create and compound it . It ’ s not just a by-product of an unequal society – it ’ s orchestrated and used as a weapon to deliberately
create division and political gain . Stigma-free spaces where inclusion and empathy are the norm help us start to disarm the power of stigma politics and see them for what they are .
Whilst a stigma-free society might seem like a distant goal , spaces like RtN help to make the vision more tangible , help us to have more hopeful conversations and support the reality of a society where everyone feels valued and accepted for who they are .
To find out more about RtN and how you can partner with us visit Recovery through Nature | Phoenix Futures ( phoenixfutures . org . uk )
Jon Hall ( below ) is commissioning and development manager at Phoenix Futures
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