NWRC was founded in 2014 by James Deakin, who was at the time working in criminal justice services and becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of effective provision available for people with drug and alcohol addictions.
NWRC began delivering a programme of meetings and recovery activity from Penrhyn House, which at the time was a hostel for ex-offenders. After negotiations with the landlord, James and the team took over the running of Penrhyn House and have since been running a rehabilitation programme for people with addictions to drugs and alcohol, they also provide a range of abstinent accommodation from Penrhyn House.
NWRC now has a team of seven staff; all staff are in recovery themselves, and two have used NWRC services previously to support them on their recovery journey. Working and recruiting in this way has contributed to an democratic ethos amongst staff and clients, enabling them to work honestly and openly together, creating an environment in which people can overcome their addictions and rebuild their lives.
“I’ve been in recovery for the past 15 years and now share my experiences of active addiction and offending to support other people to bring a positive change to their own lives. I believe strongly in the concepts of mutual aid and shared experience and believe that these are the foundations that NWRC are built upon”
I have been in recovery for just over 6 years now and it's been one hell of a journey. I've learnt new skills, gained new qualifications, explored the beaches, forests, rivers and mountains of North Wales, been more physically active than l've ever been, created memories I will never forget, met friends that I will have for life, had a beautiful daughter, made my family feel proud again, started my own business and have published psychological research with academic peers at Bangor University. I'm fortunate enough to now be helping people in recovery at N.W.R.C. whilst also working with the psychology department at Bangor University helping future clinical psychologists gain more insight into the world of addiction as part of their 'peoples panel'. This journey all started with a chronic alcohol and drug problem. A life like the one that I'm building with the help of N.W.R.C. is well within the reach of anyone out there still living in the misery of addiction, if they take it one day at a time.
"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones"
Confucius
I first discovered Penrhyn House through attending 12 step meetings and soon realised Penrhyn had so much more to offer. Penrhyn helped me snap out of self through attending various informative on site group therapies as well as taking part in mindful activities. 18 months on and I am now proud to be part of the team at Penrhyn as a duty officer and to be of service and help guide others in their recovery.
©2019 North Wales Recovery Communities.
Penrhyn House
Llandegai Road
Bangor
LL57 1PZ
United Kingdom