RECOVERY
GET IT TOGETHER
B
etter Together – Solihull Recovery Community is the lived experience recovery organisation ( LERO ) operating out of SIAS ( Solihull Integrated Addiction Services ), a community-based commissioned service in the West Midlands . SIAS is a partnership of organisations consisting of Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust , Aquarius , Welcome Charity and Better Together-Solihull Recovery Community . We have evolved from what was Changes UK , a supported living housing provider in Birmingham . Changes UK entered administration in December 2023 , but with the support of the other providers in the SIAS partnership and our local commissioners , Better Together-Solihull recovery community was formed .
We are a LERO that has become a vital lifeline for individuals in the Solihull area . Dedicated to helping people recover from addiction and mental health challenges , we are a community-driven initiative with an innovative approach that includes offering an extended out-of-hours service through a diverse range of activities and mutual aid programmes .
Our foundation is in lived experience . We are led by people who have walked the path of recovery themselves , making it a place where our members can find empathy , understanding and genuine support . This peerled model fosters a sense of belonging and community that is often lacking in more traditional recovery services . By providing a platform for people who have successfully navigated recovery ,
Better Together is the West Midlands LERO that ’ s offering an all-round programme to help people get their lives back on track , says Nicky Dwyer
we not only help individuals on their own journeys , but also empower them to give back to others who are at different stages of the process .
Recognising that recovery doesn ’ t follow a nine-to-five schedule , we have taken the step of offering extended out-of-hours services . By being available at times when people might feel most vulnerable , we fill a critical gap in the recovery landscape . This extended support is provided through a wide array of activities designed to engage and empower individuals . From creative workshops and social events to mindfulness sessions and physical activities such as hiking , walks , camping trips , bowling , cinema , theatre and museums , we offer something for everyone . These activities are not just distractions – they offer individuals opportunities to rebuild their confidence , discover new passions , and foster healthy relationships .
At the heart of our approach is connection . Mutual aid groups bring together people who are going through similar experiences , allowing them to support each other through shared understanding and encouragement . These groups often operate outside of traditional medical models , focusing instead on personal connection and communitybased support .
We hold local mutual aid meetings which offer a safe space for individuals to share their stories , celebrate successes , and work through challenges . The peer-to-peer format empowers participants to take control of their recovery and helps them build lasting relationships that can
NICK ’ S STORY
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SIAS have given me the opportunity to attend a day hub , which runs seven days a week for 12 weeks . I ’ m picked up every morning and attend structured groups during the day . This includes a reset programme five sessions a week and SMART recovery twice a week . In the evening we ’ re taken to relevant recovery meetings including AA and NA .
' You ’ re spending all your time with like-minded people in a similar position , which gives you the opportunity to build up contacts and relationships with people in the recovery family . We also do fun events such as going to the cinema , walks and attending local tourist attractions , as well as local recovery events . The extended offer has been a fantastic support to me in my early sobriety – giving me lots of tools to enable me to live a full life in recovery . I would say this process is as much as life saving for me .
’ be pivotal in maintaining longterm sobriety .
Our aim is not to be just about individual recovery – it ’ s about building a recovery-focused community . We ’ re trying to create a positive , inclusive environment where everyone is welcome , regardless of their background or the challenges they face . This sense of community helps to reduce the stigma often associated with addiction and mental health issues , creating a space where people feel seen , heard , and valued .
Through our combination of lived experience , extended out- of-hours support , and mutual aid , we ’ re hoping to make a profound impact on the lives of those we serve . We ’ re aiming to become a beacon of hope for individuals seeking recovery and a powerful example of how peerled , community-based initiatives can create lasting change .
As we continue to grow , we ’ re committed to expanding our services and reaching even more people in need . By offering extended support , fostering mutual aid , and championing the power of lived experience .
Nicky Dwyer is service manager at Better Together
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