Last night, the 17th September 2019, I was lucky to attend a Civic Reception for the Highland Recovery Walk at Inverness Town House. Inverness Town House has been under renovation, and is looking incredible!
The main staircase in the Inverness Town House 
One of the renovated chandeliers found throughout the Inverness Town House 
A wooden plaque with the text ‘Inverness’, donated from the decommissioned HMS Inverness.
The Recovery Walk is an annual event, organised by the Scottish Recovery Consortium, and this year is coming to the Highlands, for the first time!
The walk will be this Saturday, the 21st September in Inverness, and will be attended by organisations from across Highland and Scotland. It brings together people in recovery from both mental health and drug and alcohol problems. The theme for the walk is “Compassionate Communities Create ….” and by taking part people are showing their support and that recovery is visible, achievable and celebrated within Scotland.
Sadly, Highland, similar to the rest of Scotland, is affected by alcohol and drug problems and has seen an increase in drug and alcohol related deaths. There were a range of speakers at the Civic Reception that highlighted innovation, collaborative work in Inverness and the Highlands. There were also examples of lived experience, and the hopeful message that recovery is possible and being in recovery is a great place to be.
Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael welcomed us to the Town House
Jardine Simpson, Scottish Recovery Consortium, Recovery Walk Council, provided some information about the walk and hopeful message of recovery.
Debbie Stewart, Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Co-ordinator, gave an overview of initiatives that are happening in the Highlands, and encouraged us all to use ‘people first’ language to reduce stigma and promote compassion.
Sharon Holloway, Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Development Manager, showed us a video which was taken at the first recovery walk that Highlands attended, in Glasgow. The video was emotional and tinged with sadness, and hope, and the joy that people felt on that day in 2015.
Councillor Karl Rosie spoke about the local experience and Caithness, and how the local recovery cafe has been a great community asset.
And Carlene Rosie shared her lived experience and message of hope, and got us all incredibly excited for the walk on Saturday!!
There has been lots of planning work going on at a national and local level, and Saturday is set to be a great day – even the sunshine is set to join us! Please come and join us on Saturday, for a free fun- filled day that is sure to be bursting with hope and happiness.
And did I mention Torridon are playing…?!