From 09:30 to 16:00 on January 16th, the Recovery Connections Awards Day and AGM did not disappoint. With almost 250 guests, including charity staff, ambassadors and volunteers, Hardwick Hall was the venue for a day of emotion and immense celebration. To see the full photo gallery of the day, please scroll down the page.
An Awards Day for Everyone
With voting taking place from November through early January, this year saw a record number of votes – and the notable point that every member of staff was nominated at least once.
While revealing the winners of eight awards – each one based on our charity’s values – the day was interspersed with unique presentations, created from each of our five recovery communities in the region, and other service areas.
Guest speakers on the day were Billy Moore, author of A Prayer Before Dawn (now a motion picture starring Joe Cole), and Mark Smith, Director of Public Service Reform, at Gateshead Council. With an audience of recovery service and charity professionals, each item on the agenda and experience struck a different emotional chord throughout the day.
Inspiring Change Across Communities
On their first visit to Recovery Connections, was a group of ten from Recovery Academy Ireland. Before spending the following day in Middlesbrough, visiting Community, Social Enterprise and Rehab facilities, Jim Walsh, National Drugs Coordinator & Inclusion Health Lead, was invited to present an award during the day. PD Ports, in attendance and sponsoring the event for the second year in a row, also presented an award, alongside guest speakers Billy and Mark, and Neil Green, and Dr David Patton.
The winners of the awards (including the dual award of the David Jackson Outstanding Contribution) were Kat Hearn and Terry Ridley, from Middlesbrough’s rehab and Community teams respectively, Kelly Knight and Community Lead Michelle Burns, from Darlington, Karin Creighton and Service Manager Ricky Vasey, from Gateshead, and Shawn Birch from Stockton.
Karin CreightonKat HearnKelly KnightMichelle Burns (with Dr David Patton)Ricky VaseyShawn BirchTerry RidleyTrina Meredith
Recovery Continues to Grow
And, while tallying up the charity’s overall recovery count (the years of recovery within our staff and ambassadors), we counted an astonishing 418 years for the start of 2024. Reflecting the continued growth of both the charity, and the people it employs and trains, that figure is up by over a century since January 2023.
A special thanks must also go to Chair of Trustees, Ruth Hicks, whose recent, notable birthday was also celebrated on the day. Other trustees in attendance on the day were David Patton, Dave Barras, and Matty Bowyer.
