A recovery clinic operator with a base in Erskine has held the first Scottish Recovery Awards to recognise people and organisations helping those affected by drug and alcohol issues.
Abbeycare, which operates a residential clinic at Erskine Mains House, organised the event in Glasgow on Friday, 9th October as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations.
The awards recognised contributions to recovery across ten categories.
Among the winners was Alex ‘Aldo’ Foy, who was named Volunteer of the Year. He began using alcohol and solvents aged 12 and spent most of his adult life moving between prison, hospital and homelessness.
Now nearly five years into his recovery, he has completed a traineeship with the Scottish Drugs Forum and volunteers at a recovery hub in Glasgow.
Alex uses his experiences to help others in the early stages of recovery. He also runs a weekly meeting at HMP Barlinnie, where he previously served time.
The Rural Recovery Award went to Rod Anderson, who set up a recovery café in the Scottish Borders to give people affected by addiction a place to meet and socialise.
Rod lost two jobs because of his drinking before entering recovery. He has said his mission now is to “help people improve their lives in ways they never thought possible”.
Broadcaster Iain Lee delivered a keynote address about his experiences of drug and alcohol addiction.
Other winners included Monica Lennon MSP, who received the Political Contribution to Recovery Award, and Billy Purcell, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Community care minister Alison Thewliss presented the Women in Recovery Award to Donatella Olisterno of Phoenix Futures.
She said: “These awards recognise the hard work, compassion and determination that are helping to improve lives for people and families – I congratulate the finalists and winners who are making a real difference.
“My thanks also go to all those whose dedication is strengthening the recovery community, including organisations and frontline staff, volunteers, peer support networks and families.
“We recognise that despite improving access to residential rehabilitation and exceeding our commitment to support 1,000 publicly funded placements a year, there is more to be done.
“We will continue to work hard with partners like Abbeycare to drive action on residential rehabilitation and across a broad range of measures in key areas.”
The other award recipients were Dr David McCartney for Academic Contribution to Recovery; Wez Steele for Reducing Harms; SISCO for Hope Beyond the Walls; North East Recovery Community for Lived Experience Recovery Organisation; and Richard ‘Tich’ Watson for Recovery Champion.
Paul Bowley, chief executive of Abbeycare, said: “The inaugural Scottish Recovery Awards was a moving celebration of the people whose tireless work on drug and alcohol addiction is helping to save lives.
“Many of the winners had inspiring stories to tell, from Alex’s remarkable journey out of prison and homelessness to Rod’s extraordinary work in his local community.
“As well as peer support and volunteering, the event also celebrated those who work in research and policy, harm reduction, advocacy, and other areas.
“Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to Iain Lee for his brilliant keynote speech, as well as our sponsors, whose generosity made the evening possible.
“Abbeycare was proud to establish this event to mark our 20th anniversary, but we hope that in future the awards will be seen as belonging to the wider recovery community.”
Abbeycare’s Erskine clinic accepts admissions from across Scotland, including private patients and local authority referrals.
More information is available on the Abbeycare website.
Photo: North East Recovery Community receiving the Lived Experience Recovery Organisation Award from Fiona McQueen.
Photo Credit: Stephen McLean / Pixmania
Photo: Broadcaster Iain Lee delivers his keynote address at the Scottish Recovery Awards.
Photo Credit: Stephen McLean / Pixmania
Photo: Abbeycare chief executive and Scottish Recovery Awards founder Paul Bowley gives the opening address.
Photo Credit: Stephen McLean / Pixmania
Photo: Richard ‘Tich’ Watson receives the Recovery Champion Award from Gayle Brannigan.
Photo Credit: Stephen McLean / Pixmania
Photo: Community care minister Alison Thewliss presents the Women in Recovery Award to Donatella Olisterno of Phoenix Futures.
Photo Credit: Stephen McLean / Pixmania