Rehabilitation service celebrates first year
ARCH has already supported hundreds of addicts
A REHABILITATION service for drug and alcohol addicts in Hillingdon celebrated its first year at an event in September.
Addiction Recovery Community Hillingdon (ARCH) was launched in 2015 and has already supported more than 1,000 people.
Interim sector manager Ruben Seetharamdoo said: “Since ARCH opened its doors in August last year, for every single day that we have opened our doors one Hillingdon service user has been walking out abstinent from substances, either drugs and or alcohol.
“We have a proven track record in helping people in Hillingdon to regain control of their lives following a period of substance misuse and over the last year more than 300 people in Hillingdon recovered from their addiction through support from ARCH.”
The event was attended by staff, service users and the Mayor of Hillingdon, John Hensley.
It was held at ARCH’s base in Old Bank House, in Uxbridge High Street, on September 22 and coincided with the launch of the new Recovery Studio.
The Recovery Studio, donated by the mayor’s charity appeal fund, will act as a hub for art therapy and mindfulness group meetings.
Service users shared their recovery stories and also a series of threeminute films made by people affected by addiction were showcased.
ARCH is a partnership between Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, Hillingdon Council, service user led charity Build on Belief and other drug and alcohol projects.