Towards Recovery

Our community,
 our people.

Each of our journeys are different. But our constant is our support network and our people.

At Towards Recovery, we focus on human truths, with a smile and a reassuring wit to keep you going. You’re doing OK. We’re all in this, together.

We started Towards Recovery as a local initiative in Henley-on-Thames, with the aim of making Recovery more visible. Using our collective lived experiences, we wanted to show that Recovery from addiction is possible, that people in Recovery are responsible citizens and community assets that positively contribute to the wellbeing of those around them.

We connect with people using an asset-based approach that focuses on helping people to initiate and sustain recovery and integrate into the wider community.

So, what does that mean?

Our people tell us, and our personal experience is, that engaging in drug & alcohol use, gambling etc. is often a coping mechanism for, or a reaction to, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and/or other trauma experienced in adult life. These experiences led to a dislocation / disconnection from oneself, other people, society and the natural world.

Our programmes are developed to help people to unlearn old behaviours and to make positive change.

We believe that everyone has the opportunity to build their ‘Recovery Capital’ by focusing on their strengths. So what does that mean?

Human Capital – Who we are
Health and Wellbeing

  • We work to improve health and well being, encourage personal learning, encourage independence and build confidence.
  • We encourage a good diet, and regular exercise
  • We facilitate access to arts and crafts and other mentally stimulating activity to stimulate creativity

Cultural Capital – Where we’re from
Identity Culture and Values

  • Addiction can be very isolating and a life in recovery is a life connected to others. We help people discover or re-discover themselves, their values and their identity (pre-addiction and going forward in Recovery).
  • We help people re-connect with their culture (whatever background they come from) by providing support that is culturally sensitive and competent.

Social Capital – How we connect
Family, Community and Social Networks

  • We support people to identify positive connections and relationships
  • We help people build new, positive, social networks in the community

Physical and Economic Capital – What we do
Housing, Wealth, Crime and Employment

  • We help people develop a new life in Recovery where we take responsibility for ourselves and our actions
  • We help people identify and plan for a life of their choosing