Helping residents recover: Derbyshire County Council invests in support

Derbyshire County Council has announced a major investment to help local people recovering from drug and alcohol dependence.

Over £260,000 in new grant funding will be shared between seven local charities and community groups, with an additional £28,000 from last year’s Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Recovery and Improvement Grant (DATRIG) reallocated, bringing the total support to £289,000. 

The one-year grants will allow organisations to launch new recovery projects or expand existing services. Among the groups set to benefit is G52 in Gamesley, which runs the Rise Project. 

The Rise Project helps people affected by substance misuse move towards and into employment. Running for over ten years, it provides one-to-one coaching, tailored work experience, and microjobs - small paid tasks designed to ease the transition from long-term unemployment to mainstream work. 

From March, the Derbyshire County Council funding will help cover: 

• A work coach in Buxton providing outreach at Gamesley Community Centre on Thursdays and at Glossop Jobcentre on Tuesdays.
• A Lived Experience Recovery Worker in Gamesley to support, encourage, and listen to people on their recovery journeys, with workers receiving qualifications funded through Derbyshire County Council.

Funding will also support a range of projects focused on physical activity, mental wellbeing, and practical skills, including IT, cooking, and gardening sessions. 

Councillor Dawn Abbott, Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, said: 

“This funding will make a real difference in people’s lives. We are committed to helping people regain control of their lives and improve their wellbeing while working towards lasting recovery. 

“By funding local recovery groups, we’re creating more opportunities for community-based support, helping people develop vital social connections and practical skills.” 

The additional £28,000 from DATRIG will go to the Derbyshire Addictions Advice Service, providing specialist counselling for residents bereaved by substance use, as well as delivering motivational interviewing training for Derbyshire’s workforce.