Community participation at the heart of addiction recovery as innovative approaches show results across the North of England

Drug-related deaths in England and Wales have risen every year since 2012 resulting in a 100% increase. The fact these statistics continue to increase signals the limitations of current responses to addiction, the impact of which cannot be reversed by treatment services alone.  

To address these challenges, the Centre for Addiction Recovery Research at Leeds Trinity University has been working with Recovery Connections, a charity based in Middlesbrough, to develop effective recovery models, focusing on celebrating recovery and challenging stigma, supporting people in recovery to rejoin society and rediscover their self-worth.   

This is done through the Inclusive Recovery Cities (IRC) model, which invites cities to make recovery a valued part of civic life through collaboration between people with lived experience, local authorities, employers, services, and community organisations.  

Cities who have achieved this so far have introduced public facing celebration events and activities, such as walking or running groups, sober festivals, and high-street recovery cafes, where people can work and socialise, allowing those in recovery to become physically present in the community, gain a sense of purpose, and build valuable skills. 

Supported by Innovate UK through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership and an Accelerated Knowledge Transfer project secured by Leeds Trinity in 2025, the IRC model has shown promising results across the North of England and is now expanding, with the total number of Inclusive Recovery Cities in the country projected to reach 30 by the end of the year. 

Early findings suggest the approach can have benefits at several levels. People in recovery can rebuild their identity, confidence, and sense of purpose, while organisations gain the tools and knowledge to support their communities more effectively. For example, in one city, the NHS has begun to redirect resources from treatment towards recovery support methods, such as community involvement and personal development opportunities.  

Dr Arun Sondhi, Associate Professor in Addiction Recovery and Director of the Centre for Addiction Recovery Research at Leeds Trinity University said: “When recovery is made visible, valued, and supported through employers, local authorities, and community organisations, it begins to function as a civic asset rather than an abstract idea.  

“Peer support is consistently associated with improved engagement and retention, but tools and resources are needed to ensure its effectiveness. Similarly, stigma continues to shape help-seeking behaviours and recovery journeys. This shows that recovery-supporting environments must be actively constructed, and the IRC model is already proving that people who have experienced addiction can be important contributors to communities when supported in the right way.” 

Ian Blakemore, Knowledge Transfer Adviser supporting the project for Innovate UK said: “This is an unusual KTP in a sector where the impact is significant. The project is already having an effect and the collaboration between Recovery Connections, Leeds Trinity, and Innovate UK is making a tangible difference to these communities.” 

As the initiatives grow at national level, Leeds Trinity experts will work alongside key stakeholders to identify the strengths and resources within communities, civic institutions, and neighbourhood networks, ensuring that interventions are grounded in the unique needs and capacities of places and people. This will create actionable pathways for recovery participation, employment, and community contribution, paving the way to more supportive and well-informed interventions for those who have experienced addiction.