September is Recovery Month – an annual international event that celebrates those who have recovered from addiction. Successful recovery from addiction can often be overlooked when it comes to celebrating achievements and Recovery Month and the events that form part of it are important reminders of just how far those in recovery have come, as well as emphasising that recovery is for everyone – every person, every family and every community.
One of the key events in Recovery Month is the Recovery Walk. The walk in Dublin took place on Saturday 9 September in Dublin City Centre and saw hundreds of people walk from the Garden of Remembrance to Merrion Square – all celebrating and recognising the recovery journey of so many. Staff from Frontline joined in, with the Frontline Bikes cargo bike leading the walk across town.
The celebrations continued on Thursday 28 September, when Frontline hosted a Recovery Month event at our Bluebell location. The event kicked off with a local recovery walk, which was followed with an introduction and welcome from our CEO Stuart Fraser.
Speakers Sean Kinsella and Pat O’Brien shared inspirational and moving stories of their own lived experience and recovery journeys; and Frontline clients May and John read their own poems.
Service users, friends, family, people in the community and services, as well as Frontline’s own staff were treated to live music, hot food, and an ice cream van, as well as entertainment for the kids, which included a bouncy castle, face painting and balloon animals.
Free bike tune ups were also available on the day from the Frontline Bikes team.
The event concluded a busy month of celebrations and activities for those in recovery and the organisations who support them.
