Drink and Drugs News DDN July_August 2019 | Page 17

RecoveRy
Phoenix Futures describe how guests at their recent
Shipley Park open day were able to witness the positive
impact a beautiful natural setting can have on recovery
BACK TO NATURE
PHOENIX FUTURES’ SHIPLEY PARK PROJECT
hosted an open day on 27 June to showcase
the project and demonstrate how it’s
supporting people on their recovery journeys.
The day was very well attended, with more
than 80 visitors accepting our invitation - with
the help of glorious sunshine! Our guests had
the freedom of our site at Shipley Park estate
for the day, while our service users split into
small groups and positioned themselves
around the site offering guided tours of the
various projects and discussing future plans.
They were also on hand to discuss the positive
impact of the project on their individual
recovery journeys.
Our visitors were able to witness how
those accessing the project have taken
ownership of it and how they have not only
experienced a positive approach and positive
outcomes to their substance use but in many
‘We are planning
more open and
activity days at
Shipley Park in
the near future’
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
cases how the project has supported their
mental health as well. We managed to
showcase the importance of nature as an
additional opportunity in treatment – who
doesn’t enjoy a walk outdoors in nature? The
fact that natural settings are less and less
accessible to those who live in cities or towns
should be a cause for concern, especially with
respect to overall health and wellbeing.
Research continuously shows that nature has
multiple benefits for our wellbeing, and our
guests went away seeing first hand how this
is proved through our own ‘Recovery through
Nature’ project.
Guests were treated to a BBQ lunch, in
which many took advantage of the green
space to experience the therapeutic value of
our natural setting. There were lots of positive
discussions during the day, with a range of
Guests were treated
to a BBQ lunch and
had the freedom of
the site while
service users split
into small groups
and offered guided
tours
valuable networking
opportunities. As
such we can only
grow in strength as
we expand the
opportunities we can
offer to our service
users. In turn these
opportunities will
increase the positive experiences of all who
attend. We are planning more open and
activity days at Shipley Park in the near future.
This means more people will be able to visit us
and experience the positive impacts on
treatment and, as our networking increases,
we can continue to break down the stigma
around substance misuse.
Find out more at www.phoenix-futures.org.uk
July/August 2019 | drinkanddrugsnews | 17