Our success isn’ t measured by what we say, it’ s measured by the lives that are changed for the better. But 20 years feels like a moment worth pausing on, if only because of how far we’ ve come.

participants are given the chance to work in the clinic, learn from other staff, and complete training courses. Now, she works as an outreach co-ordinator.

In Gloucester, meanwhile, Jess Fry was recently promoted to the position of senior recovery practitioner. She first came through Abbeycare’ s doors while in the depths of alcohol

dependency, but has since turned her life around, and is now often the first person new clients see when they arrive.

As Liam recalls, what has always set Abbeycare apart has been its people.‘ Looking back over the over the years, I’ d say we’ ve been blessed with so many good people, well-intentioned people, that have worked for the organisation,’ he says.‘ They might not always have been the most highly qualified in the early days, but sometimes having the right heart and being dedicated and committed can be just as powerful. Some of the people who started their careers here have since gone on to run amazing recovery-related organisations and are now CEOs themselves, which is incredible to see.’

Celebrating at Abbeycare recovery gatherings, which take place annually in Scotland and Gloucester

in partnership with the St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation, we launched Abbeycare Buddies, a weekly hub taking place at the club’ s stadium. The sessions provide people in recovery with a hot meal and a safe place to talk and share, as well as offering everything from creative writing to photography courses for those who want to pursue new interests or revive old passions.

One of the groups that grew out of this later performed an original play called The Backdater, with a cast entirely made up of people in recovery. It was written by our former outreach manager Eddie Clarke, a creative force who also launched Listen UP, our recovery-themed podcast where people talk about their experiences with incredible honesty.

Then there are our recovery gatherings, held each September, where hundreds of former clients and their families come together to reconnect with the staff who supported them through their darkest times, and celebrate what they’ ve achieved. This extraordinary community grows each year, and last month’ s event in Scotland was attended by more than 450 people.

One of the achievements I’ m most proud of is our decision to bring Scotland’ s Jericho Houses in Greenock and Dundee into the Abbeycare family last year. Previously run by one of Scotland’ s oldest rehabilitation charities, their future was in doubt. By stepping

in we secured 40 rehab beds and 30 jobs, and have since embarked on a major renovation programme so their vital work can continue.

This October, we’ re marking our anniversary in another special way with the inaugural Scottish Recovery Awards, a new event recognising the staff, volunteers and organisations doing the hard, often invisible, work of supporting recovery.

The awards will be addressed by singer Lulu, who has spoken openly in recent years about her own recovery from alcoholism. As she put it herself:‘ These awards are about recognising people who are changing their lives and helping others do the same. It’ s important that we celebrate those achievements and remind people that recovery is possible.’

We decided to create the awards to mark our 20th anniversary, but I don’ t want them to be regarded as an Abbeycare event. My hope is that they become something that belongs to the whole recovery community, because so much of what deserves recognition happens well away from our own clinics, in services, charities and volunteer networks the length and breadth of Scotland.

So here we are: 20 years on from a six-bed house in North Ayrshire, Abbeycare has become its own recovery community spanning Scotland and England, run by some of the people who once arrived at our door needing help, and stayed to pass it on to others. Here’ s to the next milestone, and many more along the way.

Paul Bowley is chief executive of Abbeycare