New Addiction Recovery Hub in York City Centre
Plans for a new addiction recovery hub in the heart of York City Centre are set to be endorsed by the City of York Council’s executive team on Tuesday. If approved, the council will lease the Wellington Row site to York in Recovery CIC, which will take responsibility for managing the new Community Recovery Hub. This initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by individuals struggling with substance use and mental health issues.
Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult social care, highlighted the importance of the recovery hub. She stated, “The recovery hub is providing a recovery-oriented facility to those residents who need this type of specialist support, in the heart of York.” She also emphasized that the endorsement of the Inclusive Recovery Cities initiative reflects the council’s commitment to making recovery accessible and sustainable for more people. “It sends a strong signal that those in recovery in our city have the right support behind them on their journey,” she added.
The council has collaborated with various recovery organisations to develop the hub, which aims to serve as a central point for activities, peer support, and outreach for individuals facing substance use challenges. The hub is designed to offer a safe and supportive environment where people can access resources, connect with others, and begin or continue their recovery journey.
Drugs and alcohol remain major concerns for public health and wellbeing in York. They contribute to early illness and death, and are the two leading causes of death for individuals aged between 15 and 49. These substances also lead to thousands of hospital admissions annually, worsen or trigger mental health conditions, and cause a range of physical health problems. Additionally, addiction impacts other areas such as housing, criminal justice, community cohesion, employment, and safety.
Mark Green from York in Recovery shared insights into the challenges faced by individuals in recovery. He said, “At York in Recovery, we know from lived experience that stigma is one of the greatest barriers preventing people from reaching out for the help they need when struggling with substance use.” He explained that stigma isolates individuals, delays access to support, and often leads to tragic outcomes. “Recovery from addiction can be as lonely as when in addiction, we can all play our part in changing that narrative because recovery is real and when the right help, support, and compassion are offered at the right time, people not only survive – they thrive.”
The recovery hub will serve as a welcoming space for both individuals who are curious about recovery and those already part of the recovery community. It will act as a beacon of hope for many and will support the ongoing work of the Inclusive Recovery Cities initiative. York in Recovery expressed excitement about the future and the potential growth that the recovery hub could bring.
In addition to endorsing the recovery hub, the Executive will also be asked to express the council’s commitment to the Inclusive Recovery Cities approach and York’s Inclusive Recovery City Vision statement. Inspired by similar initiatives in the US, Australia, and New Zealand, the initiative aims to reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, and highlight the broader social benefits of recovery. By fostering a supportive environment, the council hopes to create a stronger, healthier community for all residents.
