Project FREE is a lived experience recovery organisation that supports adults with substance-related offending behaviour in Bury and Oldham, Greater Manchester. As a group they empower individuals leaving prison, using lived experience and credible role models to help people break free from addiction and criminal behaviour and create lasting change.
The project was launched in 2023 by Bernard Shaw, following his own experiences with addiction after leaving prison in 2017. Now more than eight years into his recovery journey, Bernard is working to help men aged over 25 who are going through a similar situation.
The programme not only
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addresses substance misuse but the underlying issues driving criminal behaviour, offering participants guidance, support, and practical tools to build a future free from addiction.‘ I wanted to start Project FREE and just went for it,’ says Bernard.‘ Two years down the line it’ s started to take off. It’ s my role to get people through the programme and into volunteering, so they can go on to inspire other people. It’ s a ripple effect that keeps growing and growing.’
The team of volunteers at Project FREE is comprised of individuals who are walking the path of recovery themselves, creating a strong connection with those who participate. By drawing on their own experiences, volunteer
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role models offer genuine understanding and motivation to help others break the cycle of addiction and offending.
‘ We connect with people at the prison gate,’ he continues.‘ If they don’ t get that lived experience support, the chances are we’ re going to lose them back into a cycle of substance use and reoffending.’
Project FREE hasn’ t been commissioned directly, but has been supported financially by a number of organisations, including The Calico Group, Red Rose Recovery, Turning Point, Bury Council, GMCA and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust via the Achieve Bury Recovery Fund. They also work in partnership with other recovery organisations to deliver services, including Acorn
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‘ We connect with people at the prison gate,’ he continues.‘ If they don’ t get that lived experience support, the chances are we’ re going to lose them back into a cycle of substance use and reoffending.’
BERNARD SHAW
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6 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • JUNE 2025 |
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