Recovery Walk 2023: Recovery for Life
28 September 2023
The Recovery Walk Scotland is a highlight of the CrossReach calendar, with service users, staff and volunteers travelling from Inverness and Glasgow to join thousands of participants from across the country*.
Organised by Scottish Recovery Consortium, it is the largest recovery event in Scotland and has the aim of making recovery visible and reducing the stigma often attached to substance use.
This year the event took place at Battery Park Greenock, where we were spoilt with glorious sunshine and stunning views over the River Clyde and the mountains of Argyll.
The day began with the Roses Ceremony: a minute of silence followed by the placing of roses in memory of lives lost to substance use. The contrast of the mass of beautiful red roses held up against the crisp blue sky was moving. And together, the crowd proceeded to the water’s edge to place the roses into the Clyde – each rose representing a family member, friend or loved one. **
From there, we joined the great throng for the Recovery Walk through the streets of Greenock. The crowd was alive with the sound of cheering, drums and whistles and awash with colour from the decorated banners; a testimony not only to the joy and celebration of those now walking in recovery, but also to the many health, social care and voluntary organisations throughout Scotland who partner with individuals to support their recovery.
We met up with Martin and Joe from CrossReach Residential Recovery Service (CRRS), in Glasgow, to find out what makes the day so special:
Martin (Peer Volunteer) shared what an encouragement it is, having himself been through the CRRS residential recovery programme only a year ago, to see how far he and his peers have come in their journeys:
"I’ve met about 6 or 7 people that seen me last year when I was at my lowest and they cannae believe how I look today. That’s meant a lot to me... Cos they’ve seen me at my worst, as I’ve said. And now I am here with a CrossReach T-Shirt on… It’s been amazing."
Martin, Peer Volunteer
As Peer Volunteer Co-Ordinator, Joe reflected on the importance of the Recovery Walk for service users - giving them a taste of recovery:
"when these guys come to places like this … it gives them that wee incentive to go ‘know what, I wanna continue doing that’. And this is what it’s all about. So we’re opening their eyes up to the stuff that’s out here – Recovery. And hopefully when they go on to their own journeys, they’ll be a part of [it]."
Joe, Peer Volunteer Co-Ordinator
“This is my first recovery walk and I have seen so much that inspires and encourages. People willing to share their journeys be that a few days or many years, all here to remember those less fortunate who have lost their lives, but also to celebrate recovery and the lives they now have, the futures they see for themselves. It is by turns challenging, emotional but at all times affirms the benefits of recovery and what we are all working to achieve together.”
Carol Brackenridge, Head of Service
For more information on our Services:
CrossReach offers a range of services across Scotland, supporting individuals and families affected by substance use.
Visit: Substance use
* This year's Recovery Walk Scotland took place on Saturday 23rd September 2023.
** Drug-related Deaths in Scotland in 2022 - Report (nrscotland.gov.uk)
