Celebrating people's recovery from drug and alcohol addiction

The Salvation Army has taken part in an event aimed at celebrating people's recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

Major John McCaffrey and Sharon Nedley led our involvement at this year's Recovery Walk Scotland (RWS) in Falkirk, where they served hot drinks and food from our emergency response van.

The duo are based at our Stenhousemuir community church where they offer a range of practical advice and activities designed to help people get into recovery and stay there.

Sharon is one of four Salvation Army drug and alcohol workers who have been appointed as part of the Scotland Drug and Alcohol Strategy - a five-year plan to tackle the social and health effects on families and on the fabric of society in Scotland.

Recovery Walk Scotland is an annual event organised by the Scottish Recovery Consortium and Sharon is a member of the RWS council that helped organise the event.

She said: "The Salvation Army played a major role at the walk, hugely supporting recovery in Scotland. People from all over Scotland came together to celebrate recovery and inspire people to believe there is a way out of the darkness of drug and alcohol misuse.

"The event was the biggest yet with 2000 plus people attending. The walk started at the famous Kelpies. We also remembered the 720 people who have lost their lives to addiction in Scotland last year, by putting 720 roses in the River Carron.

"The walk then moved through the street of Falkirk finishing at Callendar Park. This was the "recovery village" where people celebrated in the sunshine with music, bands and speakers, and of course a much needed cuppa.

"We provided 3,500 cups of tea, coffee and water as well as snacks. We managed to give this all free of charge due to generous donations.

Major John and I organised this but on the day it was amazing as we received great support from our colleagues in various areas and departments of the Army. It allowed The Salvation Army in Stenhousemuir, Falkirk and Stirling to work together. We also received support from Granton, East DHQ and West DHQ.

"There were three of the four Salvation Army's Scottish drug and alcohol workers at the event. For me personally it meant that the Salvation Army are now becoming recognised as service and treatment providers in the field of addiction in Scotland.

"We would like to thank our donors Tunnocks, Scotmid, Costco, Tesco and Asda for their incredible support."