The Recovery Network – What we’re about
We’re a specialist project of Self Help Nottingham that aims to increase the choice and number of self help groups across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire designed to support people affected both directly and indirectly by alcohol and drugs.

We don’t run any self help groups ourselves; instead we offer support and guidance to many individuals and groups to make sure their group is everything they want it to be. This means we’re independent and don’t favour any group over another. We want to see all groups flourish to ensure there is a range of groups available, as we recognise that different people will have different needs when it comes to finding a group.

Like the rest of Self Help Nottingham we offer a variety of services, but specific to groups for alcohol and drugs, these include:

Finding a self help group – We’ve got details of self help groups right across Nottinghamshire and can help you find one that’s right for you or someone you know

Developing an existing group – We’ll help your group grow. You might want to find a new venue, get some funding or advertise your group in new ways. With many links and lots of up to date information, we can help you.

Starting your own group – Sometimes people want to be part of a group but find there isn’t a group that suits them or isn’t one near enough to where they live. Or people might want to form a group with people they’ve already bonded with. We specialise in supporting new groups and individuals to establish themselves, including developing links with local drug and alcohol services and treatment providers to help raise awareness of your group.

What types of self help groups are there for drugs and alcohol?
Sometimes people may experience one group and then think they’re all the same, but in fact every group can be different depending on lots of things like where the group is and who’s involved, and often even two groups of the same type still may be very different.

Some of the groups you might find in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire include:

• Alcoholics Anonymous/ Narcotics Anonymous – these types of groups have existed for many years and have many meetings throughout the world. These groups follow a 12-step fellowship structure, and for some this may also include spiritual elements
• SMART Recovery – this type of group follows a science based model of supporting group members and is based on the research in the field of addiction.
• Independent groups – these are groups that are not part of a larger organisation but are run according to the needs and goals of group members.

You can see information about new and established groups in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire on our Information page.

Heads up…
Not every group will be right for every person and its ok for you to decide that a particular group is not for you, but remember it may still be the right group for someone else! If you want more details or to ask any questions, contact our Information Line.

Services for professionals
Self Help Nottingham is committed to supporting all clinicians, services and organisations who work with individuals with substance misuse problems and their carers to ensure accurate knowledge of self help and local information is available to them. The services we offer include:

• Up to date details of local groups which may be of benefit to your clients or patients
• Guidance and advice about how you might link in with local groups
• Support to establish groups within your service/organisation
• Training and support to staff about signposting, supporting and general awareness of the ethos of self help groups
• Self Help Nottingham produces a comprehensive annual directory of all local self help groups and useful contact organisations and services, in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. To order your copy, contact our administration team on: 0115 911 1662, Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm or download a directory order form (62kb).

If you would like further information for you or a client, or would like to enquire about developing new projects, please get in touch!

Contacts

Nottinghamshire - Tim Siggs
Email: tim.siggs@selfhelp.org.uk
Tel: 0115 911 1656 or 0785 451 7638, Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm

Derbyshire - Paige Bramley
Email: paige.bramley@selfhelp.org.uk
Tel: 0115 911 1662 or 0789 667 1530, Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm

Please contact us for information about local self help groups:
E-mail: click here to use our information request form
Tel: 0115 911 1661, Monday-Friday, 9.00am-1.00pm

Back to top

Click here to go back to the Projects and New Activities page

Page updated: 16 February 2012