Recovery in Practice

Welcome to the Recovery in Practice UK event! The event will spotlight the vital role that creative practices play in supporting recovery from addiction and trauma, while enhancing quality of life, well-being, and human flourishing.

Join us at One Friar Gate Square for a day filled with insightful discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities. Whether you're a professional in the field or someone passionate about recovery, this event is perfect for gaining new knowledge and connecting with like-minded individuals. Or if you are curious about drug and alcohol use, and addiction and want to learn how people can and do recover, then consider coming along.

Change is possible and the majority of people who enter recovery do overcome addiction and a life of crime. Research shows that those who are 5 years or more in recovery have higher levels of well-being and quality of life than those in the general population. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute.

This conference challenges the typical approach of giving academics space to speak at events by providing space to those leading recovery organisations and those in recovery. This event aims to challenge conventional ideas about who the true experts and knowledge producers are in this field, as well as to question established notions of what methods are effective in helping individuals overcome significant personal challenges.  

Engage directly with the rich creative practices of invited speakers and diverse community partners, at this special event on campus at the University of Derby. Join us as we talk about how our recovery journeys inform and inspire our creative processes, focus research trajectories, and serve as a force multiplier for the impact we have in communities.

Conference speakers

Featuring:

• John D. Freyer - Associate Professor of Cross-Disciplinary Media at Virginia Commonwealth University
• Prof Wendy Dossett - Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies, Chester University
• Dr David Patton - Professor of Criminology, University of Derby
• CEO Dot Smith & Peter Da Silva - Recovery Connections Lived Experience Recovery Organisation, North East England
• Sam Delaney - Creative Start
• Christian Jenkins - Service User Involvement Team Wolverhampton
• Leon Clowes - Lived Experience Reflections
• Jericho House - Residential rehab for addiction and support to vulnerable women
• Sean Cooney - Recovery Song

Itinerary for the day: