RecoveRy
Journeys of
recovery
A team of cyclists made up
of staff from Humankind’s
services across the country
completed an epic 170-mile
Ride for Recovery from
Manchester to
Middlesbrough. They take
us through their journey
THE RIDE FOR RECOVERY aimed to highlight the many
ways to achieve recovery from substance misuse, and
to raise money for people who use Humankind
services. It was also timed to arrive for the start of the
FAVOR UK Recovery Walk in Middlesbrough.
The cyclists were volunteers from services in
Manchester, Leeds, London, Halifax and the head office
in Newton Aycliffe, and called in at Humankind-led drug
and alcohol recovery services along the way.
‘Humankind is a major sponsor of the FAVOR UK
Recovery Walk this year,’ said chief executive officer Paul
Townsley, who was among the cyclists. ‘We wanted to
show our support for this cause with this Ride for
Recovery. Raising money and awareness to improve the
lives of our service users will demonstrate that.’
Day one was the 43-mile journey from Manchester
to Leeds. The riders were seen off by staff and residents
at Redbank Recovery Accommodation, who had even
baked them food for the trip. Area manager for
Humankind's North West services, Helen Hubberstey,
was among those turning out to wish the cyclists well.
16 | drinkanddrugsnews | October 2019
‘I think it's really important we get behind causes like
this to demonstrate our commitment to recovery and
the journey that our residents are on,’ she said, while
cyclist Rhian James from Humankind’s Manchester
office said that ‘having people supporting us like this
makes us feel it’s all worthwhile’.
The cyclists travelled via Humankind-led services at
Calderdale Recovery Steps and 5 WAYS, the recovery
hub that forms part of Forward Leeds, the city’s
alcohol and drug service. The members of 5 WAYS,
who are all in recovery themselves, were there to greet
the riders on arrival with balloons, bunting and a
home-made welcome flag. ‘It was amazing to see
what the cyclists have achieved so far,’ said 5 WAYS
member Stacey Vickers. ‘It made me want to get on
my bike and be a part of it next year. The riders
created such a brilliant atmosphere.’
‘Today has been a real struggle though hill climbs,
cobbles and bad weather,’ said cyclist Claire Burns
from Humankind’s HR team when she arrived. ‘But the
reception we’ve been given at 5 WAYS is just amazing.
Everyone has given us such a warm welcome and it
was just the tonic we needed after such a long ride’.
Senior practitioner at 5 WAYS Helen Mason added that
the community ‘loved having them here’.
Day two was the 53-mile journey from Leeds to
Northallerton, with the riders stopping off at the
Headingley cricket ground before cycling via Ripon to
North Yorkshire Horizons’ Northallerton hub. ‘North
Yorkshire Horizons wishes all the very best to everyone
taking part in the Ride for Recovery, raising money and
awareness to improve the lives of our service users
who we support on a daily basis,’ said Humankind
assistant director Mark Vidgen.
Day three saw the team riding out of Yorkshire and
into the North East for the 34-mile trip from
Northallerton to Bishop Auckland. ‘It was an honour
‘It was amazing to see
what the cyclists have
achieved so far... It made
me want to get on my
bike and be a part of it
next year.’
to host this event,’ said project manager at County
Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, Bob
Smith. ‘It gave us a chance to showcase the progress
being made in County Durham, and highlight the
hard work from service users, staff and volunteers
which is showing definite results in advocating real
recovery in individuals.’
The final day was the 36-mile stretch from Bishop
Auckland to Middlesbrough, with the cyclists arriving in
time for the 2019 Recovery Walk. ‘The ride has been
brilliant, bringing a group of staff together from different
services with one aim,’ said Paul Townsley. ‘It’s been great
for us all to learn about what is going on at the drug and
alcohol services that we have visited along the way, and
to get to chat with staff and service users.’
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